Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of misaligned teeth and jaws. The answer to whether orthodontists only do braces is definitively no. While traditional metal braces remain a highly effective tool, the scope of modern orthodontic practice extends far beyond simple brackets and wires. Their work encompasses a broad range of corrective appliances and sophisticated treatment planning aimed at optimal alignment, function, and facial harmony.
The Specialization: Orthodontist Versus General Dentist
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who completes significant post-doctoral training, separating them from a general dentist. The educational path begins with four years of dental school, resulting in a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Following dental school, an orthodontist must complete an additional two to three years of full-time, accredited residency training focused exclusively on orthodontics. This rigorous specialization provides expertise in the complex mechanics of tooth movement and the management of facial growth and development. General dentists primarily focus on comprehensive oral health, including cleanings, fillings, and crowns, and do not possess this advanced training in alignment and bite correction.
Appliances Beyond Traditional Braces
Modern orthodontics utilizes a diverse array of devices to move teeth and guide jaw development, many of which look nothing like traditional metal braces. Clear aligner systems, such as Invisalign, use a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays to incrementally shift teeth into their planned positions. These aligners are often preferred for their discreet appearance and the convenience of being removed for eating and oral hygiene.
Lingual braces function similarly to conventional braces but are bonded to the backside of the teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front. After the active phase of treatment, fixed or removable retainers stabilize the teeth in their new positions, preventing the natural tendency of teeth to shift back. For younger patients, devices like space maintainers are fixed appliances designed to hold the space left by prematurely lost primary teeth, ensuring enough room for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly.
Treating Bite and Jaw Alignment Issues
An orthodontist’s work frequently involves correcting skeletal and bite discrepancies, known as malocclusions, which fixed braces alone cannot always address. These issues include overbites (Class II malocclusion), where the upper front teeth protrude significantly over the lower teeth, and underbites (Class III malocclusion), where the lower jaw extends past the upper jaw. Crossbites, where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, and open bites, where the front teeth do not overlap when the mouth is closed, are also treated.
For growing children, orthodontists employ interceptive, or Phase 1, treatment to modify jaw growth patterns before all permanent teeth have erupted. This early intervention, typically occurring between ages six and nine, involves specialized tools like palatal expanders. The expander gently widens the upper jaw to correct a narrow arch or crossbite while the bone structure is still flexible. Functional appliances, such as the Herbst appliance, are also used in this phase to encourage the forward growth of a recessed lower jaw, potentially preventing the need for more complex treatment or jaw surgery later.