Short answer: An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialty training in orthodontics after dental school. In Turkey, dental school takes 5 years; orthodontic specialty training is a 4-year program entered through the DUS (the national dental specialty entrance exam). A dentist handles general oral health (fillings, extractions, crowns, preventive care); an orthodontist corrects the position of the teeth and jaws and the bite.
The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist in a nutshell: every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist is an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist who, after completing dental training, has undergone separate specialty training lasting several years and focuses on the position of the teeth and jaws, bite problems and their treatment. A dentist, on the other hand, is responsible for the general health of the mouth: examinations, fillings, tooth extractions, crowns and preventive care. In this article we explain the difference in training between the two professions, whom to see in which situation and when you should visit an orthodontist.
What does a dentist do?
A dentist is the clinician who looks after your oral and dental health in general. They are the person who sees you first at routine checkups and the first stop for most problems. Their main areas of work are:
- Detecting cavities and treating them with fillings,
- Tooth extractions and simple oral surgery procedures,
- Crowns, bridges and dentures,
- Tartar removal and gum care,
- Preventive care: fluoride, fissure sealants and oral hygiene instruction.
A dentist may notice a problem with your bite and refer you to an orthodontist. However, comprehensive orthodontic diagnosis and treatment is a separate field that requires specialty training.
What does an orthodontist do?
An orthodontist deals with the alignment of the teeth, the position of the jaws relative to each other and the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (the bite). They diagnose these problems and plan their treatment. The main conditions within their scope are:
- Crowding and gaps between teeth,
- Protruding teeth and excessive tilt of the front teeth,
- Bite problems such as open bite, deep bite and crossbite,
- A lower jaw that sits forward or back,
- Guiding jaw development and space maintainers in children,
- Orthodontics before and after surgery in cases requiring jaw surgery.
For this purpose, an orthodontist uses tools such as braces, clear aligner treatment, palatal expanders and functional appliances. They also plan the retention phase so the teeth stay in place after treatment.
How many years of training does it take to become an orthodontist?
In Turkey
To become a dentist in Turkey, a 5-year undergraduate program at a faculty of dentistry must be completed. A dentist who wants to become an orthodontist then takes the Dental Specialty Entrance Examination (DUS). If successful, they begin specialty training in the orthodontics department of a faculty of dentistry. The length of this training is set at 4 years in the schedule attached to Law No. 1219 (the Turkish law governing the practice of medicine and dentistry). At the end of the training, a specialty thesis is prepared, and the dentist who successfully passes the exam earns the title of orthodontic specialist.
This means an orthodontic specialist goes through a total of at least 9 years of training. Throughout specialty training, they receive intensive clinical and theoretical education in tooth and jaw growth, the biology of tooth movement, X-ray assessment, treatment planning and different treatment methods.
In the United States
According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), orthodontists in the US complete an additional 24–36 months of specialty training after dental school. Accredited programs include about 3,700 hours of training focused solely on tooth and jaw movement. Although the length and structure differ between countries, the common point is the same: an orthodontist is a specialist who has received additional training in this field on top of general dentistry.
In which situations should you see an orthodontist?
The AAO lists certain signs that parents should watch for, especially in children. These signs are also a good starting point for an assessment in adults:
- Baby teeth falling out very early or very late,
- Difficulty chewing or biting,
- Mouth breathing,
- The jaw shifting or making a clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth,
- Speech difficulty,
- Frequently biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth,
- Facial asymmetry, for example the jaw appearing shifted to one side,
- Teeth clenching or grinding.
In addition, crowded teeth, gaps between the front teeth or a feeling that your teeth do not fit together properly are reason enough for an orthodontic examination. Whether these signs indicate a problem is evaluated during the examination; not every sign means treatment is needed.
Do you need a referral to see an orthodontist?
The AAO stresses that parents do not have to wait for a dentist's referral to see an orthodontist. If the bite was not assessed in detail during a general checkup, a problem may be missed.
In Turkey, too, you can go directly to an orthodontic specialist at a private clinic; you do not need to see a dentist first. If a cavity or gum problem is noticed during the orthodontic examination, we work together with your general dentist so these are addressed before orthodontic treatment.
How do dentists and orthodontists work together?
Good oral health is often a team effort. You should keep up your regular dental checkups during orthodontic treatment as well. A typical division of work looks like this:
- Before treatment: Cavities, gum inflammation and tartar are treated by the dentist.
- During treatment: The orthodontist manages tooth movement; the dentist continues cleanings and preventive care.
- In multidisciplinary cases: When there are missing teeth or implants, crowns or jaw surgery are needed, the orthodontist plans together with the prosthodontist, the surgeon and other specialists.
- After treatment: Retainer use is followed up with the orthodontist, and general oral health with your dentist.
What happens during an orthodontic examination?
The first orthodontic examination is somewhat different from a general dental exam. The focus is not on cavities but on how the teeth and jaws relate to each other. The examination usually proceeds through these steps:
- Consultation: Your concerns, expectations, any habits and previous treatments are discussed.
- Intraoral and facial examination: The alignment of the teeth, the bite, the lip and facial profile, jaw movements and the jaw joint are evaluated.
- X-rays: If considered necessary, a panoramic X-ray and a cephalometric X-ray taken from the side are requested.
- Records: Intraoral and facial photos may be taken, along with a digital scan or impressions.
- Information: You are told whether there is a problem and, if so, the options, the approximate duration and the stages of treatment.
At the end of the examination, you do not have to start treatment right away. Taking time to consider the options, ask your questions and, if needed, get a second opinion is your right.
How can you tell if a dentist is an orthodontic specialist?
In Turkey, orthodontic specialists usually use the abbreviation Uzm. Dt. (specialist dentist) and the term orthodontic specialist in their title; academic orthodontists are referred to with their academic titles. When contacting a clinic, it is sensible to ask for the name of the clinician who will plan and follow your treatment, their specialty and who will see you during treatment. The specialty certificate may be displayed in a visible place at the clinic or can be shown on request.
Orthodontic treatment is usually a process lasting months. For this reason, it is important for consistent progress that the clinician who starts the treatment also carries out your checkups.
Who should provide clear aligner treatment?
Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment too; they move teeth and change the bite. That is why the examination, X-rays, treatment plan and checkups are important. The digital plan behind the aligners comes from the orthodontist deciding which tooth will move, by how much and in what order. Correctly assessing issues such as bite problems, the jaw relationship or the growth stage requires orthodontic knowledge. We explain in which situations aligners are suitable in detail in our article who are clear aligners suitable for.
Orthodontic consultation in Çankaya, Ankara
At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, orthodontic examinations are carried out by Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.). During the examination your teeth, bite and jaw joint are checked; if considered necessary, records are taken with X-rays and a digital scan. You are then told whether there is a problem and, if so, what options are available. To book an appointment, you can reach us through our contact page.
Source: This article has been prepared in our own words based on the American Association of Orthodontists' patient information on the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
Every orthodontist is a dentist, but one who has completed additional orthodontic specialty training after dental school. A dentist provides general oral health services such as fillings, extractions, crowns and preventive care. An orthodontist focuses on diagnosing and treating problems with tooth alignment, jaw position and the bite.
How many years does orthodontic specialty training take in Turkey?
In Turkey, a 5-year program at a faculty of dentistry is completed first. Orthodontic specialty training, entered through the DUS exam, then lasts 4 years according to the schedule attached to Law No. 1219. The training is completed with a thesis and a specialty exam. An orthodontic specialist therefore goes through a total of at least 9 years of training.
Do I need a referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist?
You can go directly to an orthodontic specialist at a private clinic; you do not need to see a dentist first. The American Association of Orthodontists also states that parents do not have to wait for a dentist's referral. If a cavity or gum problem is noticed during the examination, it is addressed together with your general dentist before orthodontic treatment.
Which signs mean you should see an orthodontist?
Baby teeth falling out early or late, difficulty chewing, mouth breathing, jaw shifting or clicking, speech difficulty, cheek or palate biting, facial asymmetry and teeth clenching are reasons for an orthodontic examination. Crowded teeth and gaps can also be assessed. Not every sign requires treatment; the situation is evaluated during the examination.
Should I keep seeing my dentist during orthodontic treatment?
Yes. Regular dental checkups and tartar cleaning remain important during orthodontic treatment. Plaque buildup and the risk of cavities may increase while wearing braces or aligners. While the orthodontist manages tooth movement, your dentist follows your general oral health; the two work together when needed.
