Choosing who straightens your teeth is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your smile. If you’re weighing an orthodontist vs. a general dentist and wondering who should guide your care, the short answer is this: both have dental degrees, but only an orthodontist completes years of extra residency training focused entirely on tooth movement, bite alignment, and jaw development. Below, we’ll walk you through the real differences, so you can make a confident choice for your family.
What’s the Difference Between an Orthodontist and a General Dentist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who completes dental school plus an additional 2–3 year residency focused exclusively on tooth movement, bite correction, and facial development. A general dentist handles broad oral health care, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and gum health, but does not complete that specialty residency.
Both providers graduate from dental school. The difference comes after. Only orthodontists spend thousands of additional training hours learning how teeth, roots, and jaws move together. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), only dentists who have completed an accredited orthodontic residency can call themselves orthodontists.
For families weighing their options, this distinction matters. Your general dentist is an excellent partner for everyday oral health. For straightening teeth, correcting bites, or guiding a child’s jaw growth, a specialist like Dr. Thomas Kovacs, DDS, MSD, PC, brings focused expertise that general practice doesn’t require. At Kovacs Orthodontics, we specialize in orthodontics. That’s all we do.
How Does Teeth Straightening Work With Each Provider?
The process looks very different depending on who’s guiding your treatment. Here’s what to expect from each.
How Does the Orthodontist Process Work?
When you visit a specialist like Dr. Kovacs, teeth straightening follows a careful, planned path:
- Diagnostic records. Digital X-rays, photos, and a digital scan (without any goop!) capture the full picture of your bite, roots, and jaw.
- Custom treatment plan. Dr. Kovacs reviews your records and designs a plan tailored to your anatomy, goals, and timeline.
- Appliance placement. Based on your plan, you receive metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners.
- Regular adjustments. You visit every 4–8 weeks so Dr. Kovacs can guide tooth movement, monitor root positioning, and manage bite mechanics.
- Retention planning. Once teeth are in place, custom retainers hold your stunning results for the long term.
Treatment typically spans 12–24 months, though complex cases may run longer. Each phase is monitored closely so adjustments can be made in real time, keeping your treatment on track and your results predictable.
How Does the General Dentist Process Work?
General dentists who offer teeth straightening often work within mail-in or in-office aligner protocols. These programs are usually limited to mild cosmetic cases, front-tooth alignment, and shorter treatment times. Diagnostic records may be less detailed, and the dentist may not manage root movement or bite correction the same way a specialist does.
For straightforward cosmetic touch-ups, that approach can work. For anything involving the bite, jaw, or significant movement, orthodontic specialty training is designed exactly for that work. Choosing the right provider from the start can save you time and frustration later.
Benefits of Choosing an Orthodontic Specialist
When you choose a specialist, you’re getting someone whose entire career is built around moving teeth safely and beautifully. Here’s what that means for you.
What Training Does an Orthodontic Specialist Have?
Orthodontists complete roughly 3,700+ hours of specialty residency after dental school, all focused on tooth and jaw movement. That training covers biomechanics, growth and development, bite correction, and the long-term stability of results. It’s a depth of learning that general practice simply doesn’t require, and it shapes every decision a specialist makes about your care.
- Thousands of hours of residency training. All of it focused on tooth and jaw movement.
- A broader treatment menu. Dr. Kovacs offers metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, clear aligners for teens, and Phase 1 treatment for younger children. You get the right tool for your case, not whatever single system is available.
- Specialty certification. Orthodontists are eligible for AAO membership and can pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics.
What Clinical Advantages Does a Specialist Offer?
Beyond training, a specialist brings tools, planning, and perspective that make a real difference in your results.
- Full bite correction, not just front teeth. A specialist looks at how your upper and lower teeth meet, how your jaw functions, and how your smile fits your face, not just the teeth people see when you smile.
- Better relapse prevention. Retention planning is built into orthodontic treatment from day one, so your smile stays stunning after active treatment ends.
- Complex cases handled in-house. Crowding, deep bites, open bites, crossbites, and jaw alignment issues are everyday work for an orthodontist. No referral delays, no handoffs.
- Free consultations for families. Kovacs Orthodontics offers a free consult so you can meet Dr. Kovacs, see your options, and ask questions before committing to anything.
Trust between dentists and orthodontic specialists runs deep, and families often rely on that referral network when deciding where to seek care.
Orthodontist vs. General Dentist: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick look at how the two providers stack up when it comes to straightening teeth.
| Factor | General Dentist | Orthodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Dental school | Yes | Yes |
| Orthodontic residency | 0 hours (typically) | 3,700+ hours |
| Specialty certification | No | Yes (AAO member eligible) |
| Primary focus | General oral health | Tooth movement, bite, jaw alignment |
| Treatment options | Often aligners only | Metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, Phase 1 |
| Case complexity | Mild cosmetic cases | Mild to complex, including bite and jaw issues |
| Diagnostic tools | Standard dental records | 3D digital scans, specialty imaging, bite analysis |
| Retention planning | Varies | Built into every treatment plan |
| Best for | Minor front-tooth alignment | Full orthodontic care at any age |
If your case is a minor cosmetic touch-up, a general dentist may be a reasonable option. For anything beyond that, especially bite correction, crowding, or growing children, a specialist is the safer, more complete choice.
When Should You See an Orthodontist vs. a Dentist?
Not sure which provider you need? Here’s a quick decision guide to help families know when a specialist is the right call.
See an orthodontist if you have:
- Bite issues (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite)
- Crowded teeth that overlap or twist
- Noticeable spacing or gaps
- Jaw alignment or TMJ-related concerns
- A child aged 7 or older (the AAO recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7)
- Shifting teeth as an adult, often after years of wear or a retainer that got lost
A general dentist may be enough if:
- You have very minor front-tooth cosmetic alignment concerns
- Your bite is otherwise healthy and stable
- You want a short, limited aligner plan
For anything involving your bite, your child’s growing jaw, or more than a tiny cosmetic adjustment, a specialist evaluation is worth your time. At Kovacs Orthodontics, Dr. Kovacs sees people like you every day. The free consult makes it easy to find out what you actually need, with no pressure to commit. We’re here to give you an extraordinary orthodontic experience. That’s our promise to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to a general dentist or orthodontist for braces?
For braces, an orthodontist is the specialist trained specifically for the job. Orthodontists complete 2–3 years of residency after dental school, focused entirely on tooth movement, bite correction, and jaw development. General dentists have broad training in oral health but typically don’t offer braces at the same depth. For any case involving the bite or significant movement, a specialist is the right choice.
Can a general dentist do Invisalign?
Some general dentists do offer clear aligners, including Invisalign-brand aligners. However, aligner results depend heavily on the planning and oversight behind them, not just the trays themselves. Orthodontists have specialty training in how teeth, roots, and bites move, which often leads to better outcomes, especially for moderate or complex cases. A free consult with Dr. Kovacs can help you compare your options honestly.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, enough adult teeth have come in for Dr. Kovacs to spot bite issues, crowding, or jaw growth concerns early. Early evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment. Often, we simply monitor your child until the right time.
Does insurance cover orthodontic treatment?
Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits, usually as a lifetime maximum per person. Coverage varies by plan, and some benefits apply only to children while others include adults. Our team at Kovacs Orthodontics will review your benefits with you during your free consult, so you understand exactly what’s covered before you commit.
How long does teeth straightening take?
Most orthodontic treatment runs between 12 and 24 months, though some mild cases finish sooner and complex cases may take longer. Your timeline depends on your starting point, the treatment type you choose, and how consistently you wear your appliances or aligners. Dr. Kovacs will give you a personalized time estimate as part of your custom treatment plan, so you know what to expect from day one.