Orthodontist vs Dentist: What's the Difference and Who Should You See?
What a general dentist does
Your dentist is the GP of your mouth. They check for decay, treat gum disease, repair teeth, and manage the broad picture. Many also offer cosmetic work: whitening, veneers, crowns, and simple fillings.
That is a wide remit, and it is deliberately wide. A dentist is the right person for check ups, hygiene, a broken tooth, or pain you cannot pin down.
What an orthodontist does
An orthodontist does one thing, to a specialist standard: diagnosing and treating problems with the position of teeth and the alignment of the jaws.
According to the Australian Society of Orthodontists, an orthodontist completes a five year dentistry degree, then a further three years of full-time university training in orthodontics, roughly 5,000 hours of specialist study. That is before they treat a single patient independently.
| General dentist | Specialist orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Whole mouth, general and cosmetic care | Teeth position and jaw alignment only |
| Training | Dental degree | Dental degree plus three years full-time specialist training |
| Typical work | Check ups, fillings, hygiene, crowns, whitening | Braces, clear aligners, bite correction, growth guidance, impacted teeth |
| Complex cases | Refers on | Treats, often with a surgeon, dentist or hygienist |
Why the difference matters for braces
Straightening the front teeth is the visible part. The work that determines whether the result lasts is underneath: root position, the way the back teeth meet, the health of the bone and gums, and how the jaw relationship will behave years later.
That is why the Australian Society of Orthodontists states plainly that orthodontic treatment, including braces and clear aligners, should ideally be provided by a registered specialist orthodontist. It is not a turf argument. It is about diagnosis.
Can a dentist do braces?
Some general dentists offer orthodontic treatment, usually for straightforward cases or through a short aligner course. It is legal to do so. The question worth asking is whether your case is straightforward, and that is exactly the judgement a specialist is trained to make.
If your case involves a bite problem, missing teeth, impacted teeth, previous extractions, gum disease, or a jaw discrepancy, a specialist assessment is the safer starting point.
How to check your orthodontist is a specialist
- Check the register. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) lists each practitioner’s registration and specialty.
- Ask directly. “Are you a registered specialist orthodontist?” is a reasonable question and a specialist will answer it easily.
- Look for fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, or membership of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, whose full members are all registered specialists.
- Be cautious with the word “orthodontics” in a practice name. It is a service description, not a qualification.
When to see a dentist, and when to see an orthodontist
| Concern | First stop |
|---|---|
| Toothache, broken tooth, bleeding gums | Dentist |
| Routine check up and clean | Dentist |
| Whitening or veneers | Dentist, once your bite is sound |
| Crowded or crooked teeth | Orthodontist |
| Overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite | Orthodontist |
| A child with early signs of a bite problem | Orthodontist, around age seven to ten |
| A baby tooth that will not fall out | Dentist, then orthodontist if eruption is delayed |
| Broken wire or loose bracket | Orthodontist, urgently |
Do you need a referral?
No. You can book an orthodontic consultation directly, and in Australia you do not need a GP or dentist referral to do so. Many patients arrive having been referred by their dentist, which is useful because the dentist can share X-rays and history. But it is not a requirement.
Our guide to what happens at an orthodontic consultation covers what to bring and what we do on the day.
What to ask at your first appointment
- Are you a registered specialist orthodontist?
- What is the diagnosis, in plain language?
- What are my options, including doing nothing?
- What are the limitations of each option for my case?
- What does retention look like afterwards?
- Who does what, if other practitioners are involved?
A specialist should be comfortable answering all six. If any answer is vague, get a second opinion. That is a normal thing to do and no decent clinician minds.
About Orthoworx
Orthoworx was established by Dr Eugene Chan, a specialist orthodontist who completed postgraduate training with ten academic scholarships and awards, including the inaugural Professor Milton Sims medal, awarded to the top graduating orthodontic postgraduate in Australia. He has been a consultant and speaker for Invisalign since 2006, and the practice became the first Platinum Elite provider in the Asia Pacific. We are now a Diamond Invisalign Provider, treating patients at Zetland and Chatswood. You can read more about Dr Chan and the practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is an orthodontist a dentist?
Yes. Every orthodontist is first a qualified dentist, then completes three further years of full-time specialist training in orthodontics. The reverse is not true, because most dentists are not orthodontists.
Is an orthodontist a doctor?
Orthodontists hold a dental degree and a specialist qualification, not a medical degree. They are registered dental specialists, and in Australia they may use the title Doctor in the clinical sense, as dentists do.
Can my dentist do my braces instead?
Some dentists offer orthodontic treatment for simple cases. For anything involving the bite, impacted teeth, missing teeth or jaw alignment, a specialist assessment is the safer start.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can book directly. If your dentist has already taken X-rays, ask for a copy, as it may save repeating them.
How do I know if someone is a real specialist?
Check the AHPRA register, or ask them directly. Full members of the Australian Society of Orthodontists are all registered specialist orthodontists.
Will my dentist still be involved during treatment?
Yes, and they should be. Regular check ups and cleans continue during orthodontic treatment. Braces make cleaning harder, so those visits matter more, not less.
At what age should a child see an orthodontist?
The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an assessment between seven and ten. Not everyone needs treatment at that age, but it is the right moment to find out. See what age kids can get braces.
Related Reading from Orthoworx
- About Orthoworx and Dr Chan
- What happens at an orthodontic consultation
- Our orthodontic services
- What age can kids get braces
- Appointment form
Further Reading (External Resources)
- Australian Society of Orthodontists: what is an orthodontist
- Healthdirect: dental braces and retainers
See a specialist, not a salesperson
A consultation gives you a diagnosis and a written plan. If treatment is not needed yet, we will tell you that too.
Call Zetland: (02) 9663 0070 Call Chatswood: (02) 5600 1000 Request an appointment online
