Overview
This guide explains what orthodontists do, the treatments they provide, and how to tell when orthodontic care makes sense for you or your child.
Orthodontists are dental specialists. They focus on the position of teeth and the way the upper and lower jaw fit together. After dental school, orthodontists complete two to three more years of training in tooth movement and jaw growth [11]. This extra training is what separates orthodontists from general dentists.
Many people see orthodontists to fix crooked teeth or misaligned teeth. Others come because of crowding, gaps, or a bite that does not line up. This guide covers the most common reasons people seek orthodontic treatment, what happens at each step, and what orthodontic care typically costs.
What Orthodontists Do
Orthodontists diagnose and correct problems with the alignment of teeth and jaws, using a range of orthodontic appliances to guide teeth into better positions.
Training and Role
Orthodontists are orthodontic specialists trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with teeth and jaw alignment. All orthodontists start as dentists. They finish dental school, then enter an accredited orthodontic residency.
The American Association of Orthodontists notes that this residency adds two to three years of full-time study after dental school [11]. During this time, orthodontists learn how teeth move through bone and how the jaws grow in children and teens. The American Association of Orthodontists is the main professional group for these specialists in the United States [11].
General dentists may offer some orthodontic treatment. But orthodontists handle the most complex cases, including bite correction and jaw alignment.
Problems Orthodontists Treat
Orthodontists treat a wide range of dental issues. Common ones include crowded or crooked teeth, gaps, and bites that do not line up. They also treat misaligned teeth that make cleaning hard, which can raise the risk of tooth decay and gum problems [12].
Some patients need help with impacted teeth, meaning teeth stuck below the gum that cannot erupt on their own. In these cases, an oral surgeon may expose the tooth so orthodontists can guide it into place [6]. Orthodontists also care for children born with cleft lip and palate, who often need long-term orthodontic care to align the dental arches as they grow [10].
A small number of patients chase the idea of a perfect smile for reasons tied to body image. Orthodontists sometimes screen for body image concerns, since treatment alone may not address them [9].
Treatment Options
Orthodontists use several types of orthodontic appliances to move teeth. Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires. Clear aligners use a series of clear, removable trays. Both can correct crowding, and a 2024 systematic review found that treatment times are often similar for crowding cases [1].
Clear aligners have become popular with teens and adults. A 2024 systematic review looked at clear aligners in growing patients and found they can work in selected cases, though the evidence is still limited [2].
Other orthodontic appliances include palate expanders, which widen the upper jaw in growing children. Palate expanders create more room for permanent teeth and can fix a narrow upper jaw. After active treatment, orthodontists often prescribe removable retainers to hold teeth in their new position.
What to Know Before You Start
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have a first orthodontic check by age 7, when early problems are easiest to spot [11].
By age 7, the first permanent teeth have usually come in. This lets orthodontists see bite and spacing problems early. An early visit does not always mean braces right away. Sometimes orthodontists watch and wait until more permanent teeth arrive.
Some problems are easier to fix while a child is still growing. Palate expanders, for example, work best before the upper jaw fully hardens. This is why early visits to orthodontists matter, even when treatment is delayed.
Adults can get orthodontic treatment too, since there is no upper age limit. Adults often choose clear aligners for a less noticeable look. Results vary based on the case and how well a patient wears the device. Before your first visit, gather your dental history and any recent X-rays, brush and floss as usual, and write down questions about treatment, timing, and cost.
What to Expect During Treatment
A first visit to orthodontists usually includes an exam, photos, X-rays, and a discussion of your treatment plan.
Orthodontists start by examining your teeth, jaws, and bite. They may take digital scans or X-rays. These images help orthodontists plan tooth movement. In one cross-sectional study, setups designed by orthodontists were compared with those made by outside design engineers, and the planned tooth movements differed between the two [4].
Next, orthodontists create a customized treatment plan. This plan lists the appliances, the expected timeline, and the cost. Once treatment begins, you return for regular visits so orthodontists can adjust your braces or check your aligner progress. Some soreness after adjustments is normal. A Cochrane review found that pain relievers can ease discomfort during orthodontic treatment [8].
Treatment length varies by case. For crowding, clear aligners and fixed braces often take a similar amount of time [1]. After active treatment, you wear removable retainers to keep teeth from shifting back. Orthodontists increasingly track patient-reported outcomes, such as comfort and satisfaction, to judge how well orthodontic treatment works [7].
Technology is changing how orthodontists plan care. A 2024 review in the Journal of Dental Research described how artificial intelligence is being studied in orthodontics, while noting limits that still need research [3]. Not all orthodontists adopt new tools at the same pace; a 2022 study in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics examined what drives technology adoption among orthodontists [5].
Cost Factors
Orthodontic treatment cost depends on the type of appliance, the length of treatment, and where you live.
Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity. As a general range, braces and clear aligners often run from a few thousand to several thousand dollars, with complex cases costing more. Ask orthodontists for a written estimate before you begin, since a single figure rarely fits every case.
Many dental insurance plans cover part of orthodontic care, often with a separate lifetime maximum for orthodontics. Coverage for children is more common than for adults. Check your plan and ask the orthodontists' office about payment plans.
When to See an Orthodontist
See orthodontists when you have crowded or crooked teeth, a bad bite, jaw pain, or a child who reaches age 7 without an orthodontic check [11].
General dentists handle cleanings, fillings, and basic care. They can spot alignment problems and refer you to orthodontists. For moving teeth and correcting bites, orthodontic specialists have the deepest training [11].
Some severe problems need more than braces. When the upper and lower jaw are badly out of line, orthodontists may work with a surgeon. This combined approach can include jaw surgery, also called orthognathic surgery, along with orthodontic treatment. Jaw surgery is usually reserved for adults whose jaws have stopped growing, and orthodontists align the teeth before and after the procedure.
Impacted teeth, such as canines stuck in the gum, may need surgical exposure before orthodontists can move them [6]. Trusted resources such as the Cleveland Clinic and the American Association of Orthodontists offer plain-language guides if you want to learn more [12].
Find an Orthodontist
Finding the right orthodontists starts with a referral from your dentist or a search of board-certified specialists near you. Look for orthodontists who explain your options clearly and give a written plan and cost estimate. You can learn more about treatments and find orthodontic specialists on the orthodontics page.
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