A dentist is a general oral health provider who handles cleanings, fillings, crowns, and gum care. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on tooth alignment, bite correction, and jaw development. Every orthodontist starts as a dentist, but only orthodontists complete the extra residency required to straighten smiles.
When you ask what separates dentists and orthodontists, the easiest way to picture it comes down to one fact: all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. After dental school, an orthodontist spends an additional two to three years in an accredited residency, training specifically in tooth movement, bite mechanics, and facial growth. That extra time is what makes someone like Dr. Storms, DDS, a true orthodontic specialist rather than a general provider.
How Do a Dentist’s and Orthodontist’s Education Differ?
Both careers begin in the same place. A dentist and an orthodontist both earn a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental school. The path splits after graduation, when an orthodontist enters a specialty residency and a dentist begins general practice. That difference in training shapes what each provider does every day.
Take a quick look at how the roles compare in practice:
What a dentist typically does:
- Routine cleanings and exams
- Cavities, fillings, and crowns
- Root canals and tooth extractions
- Gum care and periodontal screenings
- General preventive and restorative care
What an orthodontist typically does:
- Diagnoses malocclusion (bite misalignment)
- Plans and places self-ligating metal braces and clear braces
- Manages Invisalign and clear aligner treatment
- Corrects crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites
- Monitors jaw growth in children and teens
- Designs retention plans to keep your dream smile stable
At Storms Orthodontics, our focus is entirely on alignment and bite. That specialized scope is why families across Northwest Arkansas see us alongside their regular dentist, not instead of one. Your dentist keeps your teeth and gums healthy. We make sure those teeth land in the right place.
Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontic Specialist
Choosing a specialist for your smile transformation comes with real advantages. Orthodontists spend years training only in tooth movement, bite correction, and facial growth, which means a deeper level of expertise than a general dentist who occasionally offers aligner therapy.
What Do You Gain by Working With a Specialist?
A specialist brings focused training and the right tools to every case. Here is what that depth of experience offers you:
- Focused expertise in how teeth and jaws move over time
- Advanced diagnostics including 3D scanning, digital X-rays, and digital photography to map your bite precisely
- More treatment options under one roof, from self-ligating metal braces to clear braces to Invisalign
- Care for every age with personalized treatment for children, teens, and adults
- Long-term stability through retention planning that protects your dream smile for years
Why Does a Specialist Catch Problems Sooner?
A specialist also notices small issues before they grow. Subtle bite problems, crowding patterns, and jaw growth concerns are easier to address when they’re spotted by someone like Dr. Storms, DDS, who looks at alignment all day, every day. That is the value of working with your smile experts, and it is the kind of attention that keeps a small concern from turning into a longer course of treatment down the road.
Dentist vs. Orthodontist: Side-by-Side Comparison
Sometimes the clearest way to see the difference between dentists and orthodontists is to lay it out in a table. Here’s how the two roles compare across the areas families ask about most.
| Category | Dentist | Orthodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Dental school (DDS/DMD) | Dental school plus 2-3 year orthodontic residency |
| Primary Focus | Overall oral health | Tooth alignment and bite correction |
| Common Services | Cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, gum care | Braces, clear aligners, bite correction, retention |
| Diagnostic Tools | Standard X-rays, oral exams | 3D scanning, digital imaging, growth assessment |
| Patient Age Range | All ages | All ages, with early evaluation around age 7 |
| Visit Frequency | Every 6 months for cleanings | Every 4-8 weeks during active treatment |
There’s natural overlap, too. Your dentist may notice early signs of crowding or a bite issue during a routine cleaning and suggest an orthodontic evaluation. At Storms Orthodontics, we work alongside your dentist, not in place of one. You’ll still see your dentist for cleanings and general care while we handle your smile transformation. It’s a team approach, and you’re at the center of it.
How Cost Differs Between Dental and Orthodontic Care
Dental care is typically billed per visit, with set fees for cleanings, fillings, or crowns at a single appointment. Orthodontic care is one personalized treatment fee covering months of visits, appliances, and adjustments. Braces and Invisalign are priced based on your specific treatment plan, while a routine dental visit usually costs far less per appointment because it is not covering a full course of care.
A few things shape what your orthodontic care costs:
- Treatment type (self-ligating metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign)
- Length of treatment, which depends on how much movement is needed
- Age and complexity, since some cases involve growth guidance
- Retention after active treatment to protect your dream smile
Insurance handles the two categories differently as well. Many plans include separate orthodontic benefits with a lifetime maximum, while general dental care usually falls under an annual maximum. The best way to know exactly what your care will cost is to come in for a free consult at Storms Orthodontics. We’ll walk through your options, your insurance benefits, and flexible payment plans so there are no surprises.
When Should You See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist?
Knowing who to call saves you time and gets you the right care faster. As a general rule, your dentist handles the health of your teeth and gums. An orthodontist handles how those teeth fit together.
Make a dental visit when you notice:
- It’s time for a routine cleaning or exam
- Tooth sensitivity, soreness, or a possible cavity
- Bleeding gums or signs of gum disease
- A chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth
Schedule an orthodontic visit when you notice:
- Crowded, crooked, or overlapping teeth
- Gaps or spacing between teeth
- An overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
- Jaw discomfort, clicking, or trouble chewing
- A child approaching age 7 who hasn’t had a first orthodontic check
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first orthodontic screening around age 7. Enough permanent teeth have come in by then for us to spot developing issues, even if treatment doesn’t start right away. And here’s something many families don’t realize: you do not need a referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist. You can schedule a free consult with us directly, and our team will guide you through what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentists vs. Orthodontists
Is my dentist also an orthodontist?
Probably not. While every orthodontist is a licensed dentist, only providers who completed a two to three year orthodontic residency after dental school can call themselves orthodontists. Some general dentists offer limited aligner services, but a specialist like Dr. Storms, DDS, has the focused training to handle complex bite and alignment cases.
Do I have to wait for a dentist to refer my child to an orthodontist?
No referral is required. You can call any of our three offices and book a free consult directly. Many families come to us on their own after noticing crowding or bite concerns, while others are referred by their dentist. Both paths are welcome, and either way you’ll start your smile story with a team that treats families across Northwest Arkansas.
How do I know it’s time to send my child to an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check around age 7. Watch for crowded or crooked permanent teeth, trouble chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking that continues past early childhood, or a jaw that shifts when biting down. Even if treatment isn’t needed right away, this AAO-recommended early evaluation lets us monitor growth.
What does a dentist do vs. an orthodontist?
A dentist takes care of your overall oral health. That includes cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and gum care. An orthodontist focuses only on alignment, using braces, clear aligners, and other appliances to correct bite issues and straighten teeth. You’ll see both providers throughout your smile story, just for different reasons.
Can a dentist do braces or Invisalign?
Some general dentists do offer limited Invisalign or short-term aligner services, but they haven’t completed the specialty residency in orthodontics. For more complex cases, ongoing bite correction, or treatment for growing children and teens, working with a specialist gives you the depth of training and the full range of options needed for a stable, lasting result. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time for an orthodontic visit, our offices welcome families of all ages, and your first visit with us is always a free consult. Start your smile story with Storms Orthodontics, your premier Northwest Arkansas orthodontic provider, and find out what your dream smile could look like.
