Patients often confuse the specific roles of different oral healthcare professionals, especially when treatment involves both general dentistry and specialty work. Dentistry fields are diverse, each requiring distinct training and focusing on different aspects of the mouth and jaw structure. Understanding the separation between a primary dental provider and a specialist like an orthodontist helps patients receive appropriate care. This distinction is relevant when considering common restorative procedures, such as getting a dental filling.
The Direct Answer
An orthodontist does not perform dental fillings or other restorative procedures like crowns, extractions, or root canals. This practice is reserved for the general dentist, who serves as the primary care provider for overall oral health. The general dentist, holding a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common conditions, including tooth decay. Fillings involve removing the decayed portion of a tooth and restoring the cavity with a specialized material to prevent further damage.
Restorative dentistry is a core component of a general dentist’s practice. Although orthodontists are licensed dentists, their practice is highly specialized and limited to the movement of teeth and the correction of bite irregularities. Procedures like placing a filling fall outside the orthodontist’s primary focus, which is the mechanical and biological process of alignment. This separation ensures patients receive focused expertise for both restorative needs and alignment treatment.
The Difference in Training and Scope
The boundary between performing fillings and straightening teeth is established by differences in professional education and licensing. Both a general dentist and an orthodontist complete four years of dental school to earn their DDS or DMD degree. A general dentist is fully qualified to practice comprehensive dentistry immediately after dental school. Their training includes detailed instruction on dental anatomy, pathology, and restorative techniques, making them the expert in decay management.
An orthodontist must complete an additional two to three years of full-time, accredited residency training after dental school. This advanced program focuses exclusively on the study of malocclusion (improper bites) and dentofacial orthopedics (guiding facial growth and development). The curriculum centers on biomechanics, material science related to appliances, and the biological response of bone and teeth to controlled forces. An orthodontist’s license limits their practice to tooth movement and alignment correction, not the management of dental decay.
Coordinating Care During Orthodontic Treatment
Patients undergoing active orthodontic treatment, such as wearing traditional braces or clear aligners, must maintain a relationship with both their orthodontist and their general dentist. Routine check-ups and cleanings with the general dentist remain necessary to identify signs of tooth decay or gum disease. If a cavity is detected, the filling procedure must be coordinated to avoid interfering with the alignment process.
The general dentist performs the filling, but the orthodontist may need to prepare the area beforehand. If the cavity is located beneath a bracket or is difficult to access, the orthodontist temporarily removes the archwire and potentially the bracket itself. After the general dentist completes the restorative work, the patient returns to the orthodontist’s office to have the appliance reattached and the alignment process resumed. This collaboration ensures the patient’s overall oral health is prioritized without delaying the alignment timeline.