An orthodontist is the better choice for braces because orthodontists complete 24 to 36 months of specialized training after dental school, focused on moving teeth and correcting bites. A general dentist may offer braces or aligners, but that does not make the dentist an orthodontist, and the difference in training matters most once a case involves more than minor crowding.
Orthodontics is one of 12 recognized dental specialties, so the title reflects formal training beyond a dental degree rather than a service an office chooses to add. Many families ask their general dentist about braces first, which makes sense when that is the office they already trust.
Knowing what sets the two apart, which cases a dentist can handle, when to book a first orthodontic visit and how to confirm a provider’s training makes it easier to choose the right office from the start.
Key Takeaways
- Orthodontists complete 24 to 36 months of residency after dental school, focused on tooth movement, bite correction and jaw growth.
- A general dentist may offer braces or aligners, usually for mild cases, but that does not make the dentist an orthodontist.
- Overbites, underbites, crossbites and growing jaws are the cases that usually call for an orthodontist.
- Your general dentist still handles cleanings and checkups during treatment, so the two offices work side by side.
- Children should have a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, even if treatment is years away.
- Asking where a provider completed an orthodontic residency is the quickest way to confirm who you are seeing.
What Does an Orthodontist Do That a Dentist Does Not?
An orthodontist diagnoses and treats crooked teeth, crowding, spacing and bite problems, and that is the entire focus of the specialty. A general dentist’s training spans fillings, crowns, extractions, gum care and much more, and orthodontics is a small part of that education. The full-time residency an orthodontist completes after dental school adds training in areas a general dental degree only touches on:
- Facial growth: Orthodontists learn how the jaws and face develop through childhood and the teen years, which shapes when and how to treat.
- Tooth movement: Residency covers how teeth and the surrounding bone respond to pressure, so each movement can be planned with precision.
- Jaw relationships: Orthodontists study how the upper and lower jaws line up, not just how individual teeth sit.
- Treatment planning: Each case is mapped from the first exam to the retainer, with appliances chosen to fit the bite.
Medicine works the same way, since a complex problem goes to a specialist who treats that one area every day. When teeth need to move in a planned, precise way over months or years, the provider who does that full time brings more depth to both the diagnosis and the plan.
I am a specialist orthodontist and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. Every treatment plan in my office starts with how the bite and jaws fit together, not just how straight the front teeth look.
When Can a General Dentist Handle Braces Treatment?
A general dentist can handle braces or aligner treatment for some mild cases, such as minor crowding or small gaps in an adult with healthy gums. Many dentists who offer orthodontic care focus on clear aligners for these simpler cases. Once a case involves the bite or the jaws, the training gap becomes harder to work around, and these situations usually call for an orthodontist:
- Bite problems: Overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites involve how the upper and lower teeth meet, not just how straight they look.
- Growing jaws: Children and young teens may need treatment that guides jaw growth, which depends on reading growth patterns over time.
- Severe crowding or rotations: Teeth that are badly crowded, rotated or blocked from coming in need more complex planning and appliances.
Your general dentist still plays a central role. Regular cleanings and checkups keep teeth and gums healthy during treatment, so most patients see both offices while wearing braces or aligners.
As an Invisalign Certified Provider, I offer Invisalign alongside metal braces and ceramic braces, so the appliance I recommend comes from what your bite needs rather than from the one option an office happens to carry.
How Do Orthodontists and Dentists Compare for Braces?
Orthodontists and general dentists differ most in training, focus and the range of cases they are equipped to treat. The table below sums up the key differences as a quick reference.
| Factor | Orthodontist | General Dentist |
| Training after dental school | 24 to 36 months of orthodontic residency | No orthodontic residency required |
| Focus of practice | Tooth movement, bite correction and jaw growth | Fillings, crowns, cleanings and other general care |
| Treatment options | Metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, retainers and growth appliances | Varies by office, often clear aligners |
| Best suited for | Mild to complex cases at any age | Mild cases with limited tooth movement |
| Specialty board certification | Available to orthodontists who pass written and clinical exams | Not available in orthodontics |
Individual providers vary, so ask about a specific provider’s training and how often they treat cases like yours. The difference between the two shows up most in cases that change over time, such as a child whose jaw is still growing.
When Should Salinas Families See an Orthodontist?
Families should schedule a first orthodontic visit when a child is about 7, or any time a teen or adult notices a problem with their teeth or bite. Orthodontic specialists recommend a first check-up no later than age 7, since enough permanent teeth have come in by then to show how the bite and jaws are developing. These are common reasons to book a visit at any age:
- Crowding or gaps: Teeth that overlap, twist or leave noticeable spaces can point to a mismatch between tooth size and jaw space.
- A bite that feels off: Front teeth that stick out, lower teeth that sit ahead of the uppers, or teeth that do not meet when you bite down are worth having checked.
- Early or late tooth loss: Baby teeth that fall out much earlier or later than usual can affect how adult teeth come in.
- Thumb or pacifier habits: A habit that continues as permanent teeth arrive can push the front teeth out of position.
- A referral from your dentist: A general dentist may be the first to spot crowding and suggest an orthodontic evaluation.
That visit does not mean braces start right away. Most children leave with a plan to monitor growth, and some benefit from early treatment that is easier while the jaw is still growing. An orthodontist is the one who decides whether to treat now or wait, since orthodontic treatment by age looks different for a 7-year-old than for a teen or adult.
Every visit at my office is with me, so the doctor who sees your child at 7 is the same one who tracks growth through the teen years and decides when treatment should begin.
How Can You Tell If a Provider Is an Orthodontist?
The simplest way to tell if a provider is an orthodontist is to ask where they completed their orthodontic residency. A few direct questions at your first consultation will show the provider’s training and how often they treat cases like yours.
- Residency training: An orthodontist will name the accredited program where they trained after dental school.
- Case volume: Find out how many braces and aligner cases the office treats each year and how many look like yours.
- Treatment options: A provider who offers only one appliance may fit your case to that option rather than the other way around.
- Bite correction: Ask how the office handles overbites, underbites and crossbites, since the answer reveals depth of experience.
Clear, specific answers like these are a better sign than general reassurance, and comparing fees and scheduling at the same visit helps you choose an orthodontist who fits your family.
Choosing the Right Provider for Braces in Salinas
An orthodontist is the right provider for braces in nearly every case beyond minor crowding, because the specialty is built around moving teeth and correcting bites. Your general dentist remains part of the team, keeping teeth and gums healthy while an orthodontist handles the movement itself.
I have treated Salinas-area patients as a specialist orthodontist since 1987, and Monterey County Weekly readers have voted me Best Orthodontist every year from 2023 through 2026.
Call Matthew Ronconi Orthodontics at (831) 422-7424 or book online to schedule a complimentary consultation, and I will tell you exactly what your case needs and which options fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a general dentist put on braces?
A general dentist can put on braces in some cases, but many dentists who offer orthodontic care focus on clear aligners for mild crowding or spacing. Bite problems and growing jaws are better handled by an orthodontist.
Is an orthodontist more expensive than a dentist for braces?
An orthodontist is not always more expensive than a dentist for braces, since the fee depends mostly on the complexity and length of treatment. Compare what each quote includes, such as adjustment visits and retainers, rather than the total alone.
How do I know if my child needs an orthodontist or a dentist?
Your child needs an orthodontist if they have crowding, gaps, an overbite, an underbite or a crossbite, while a dentist handles cleanings, cavities and checkups. Your dentist may spot a concern first and refer you to an orthodontist.
How is an orthodontist’s education different from a dentist’s?
An orthodontist’s education includes everything a dentist learns, plus 24 to 36 months of orthodontic residency after dental school. That added training focuses on tooth movement, bite correction and facial growth.
At what age should kids in Salinas see an orthodontist?
Kids in Salinas should see an orthodontist for the first time no later than age 7. Most children do not start treatment then, but the visit shows whether to monitor growth or act early.
Does insurance cover braces from an orthodontist in Salinas?
Dental insurance may cover braces from an orthodontist in Salinas if your plan includes orthodontic benefits, which vary widely and are often limited to children and teens. Call my office to verify your coverage, and ask about CareCredit if you want to spread out the cost.
Can adults get braces from an orthodontist in Salinas?
Adults can get braces from an orthodontist in Salinas, and treatment works the same way it does for teens. I treat adults with metal braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign, depending on the case.
