Dentists and orthodontists both care for your teeth, so it is easy to wonder why you might need more than one of them. The short answer is that they focus on different parts of your oral health. Your general dentist keeps your teeth and gums healthy over a lifetime, while an orthodontist focuses on how the teeth and jaws line up and work together.
This guide explains how the two roles differ, what each provider typically handles, and why both stay involved when you or your child is in orthodontic treatment.
Every Orthodontist Starts as a Dentist
All orthodontists are dentists first, but only about 6% of dentists go on to become orthodontists, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. The difference comes after dental school.
A dental specialist completes four years of dental school and then studies the specialty full-time in an accredited program for two or more years. For orthodontists, that residency adds roughly 24 to 36 months devoted to how teeth meet and function, how they are aligned, and how the upper and lower jaws relate to each other. Only dentists who complete that formal specialty education can use the title “orthodontist.”
Dr. Dominique Backus followed that path. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1997, she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate in 1998 and a Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics in 2000. You can read more about her background on our page to meet Dr. Backus.
What Your General Dentist Handles
General dentists, sometimes called family dentists, focus on overall oral health. Their work typically includes:
- Routine checkups, cleanings, and X-rays
- Treating cavities with fillings
- Removing teeth that cannot be saved
- Crowns, veneers, and bonding for teeth that are damaged or misshapen
- Checking for gum disease and other problems in the mouth
- Teaching patients how to prevent dental disease
Your dentist is often the first to notice that teeth are crowding or that a bite looks uneven, which is why many families first hear about orthodontics during a routine cleaning.
What an Orthodontist Handles
Orthodontists focus on the position of the teeth and the relationship between the jaws. Their work typically includes:
- Diagnosing bite problems such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites
- Correcting crowded or widely spaced teeth
- Monitoring and guiding jaw growth in children
- Designing and adjusting braces, clear aligners, expanders, and other appliances
- Planning retainer use to help teeth stay in their new positions after treatment
At our office, that includes metal and clear braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners, which you can explore on our treatments and braces page.
A Side-by-Side Look
| General Dentist | Orthodontist | |
| Education | Dental school | Dental school plus a two- to three-year orthodontic residency |
| Main focus | Health of the teeth and gums | Alignment of the teeth and jaws |
| Common services | Cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns | Braces, aligners, expanders, retainers |
| How often you visit | Usually for regular checkups and cleanings | Throughout active treatment and retention |
Why You Keep Seeing Your Dentist During Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment does not replace your regular dental visits. Brackets, wires, and aligners create new places for plaque to collect, so cleanings and checkups can matter even more while teeth are moving. At Backus Smiles, we ask patients to continue seeing their general dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months throughout treatment, and we stay in communication with your dentist along the way.
Think of it as a team. Your dentist watches for cavities and gum problems, and your orthodontist manages the tooth movement. Good habits at home support both, and our guide to caring for braces covers brushing and flossing around appliances.
When to Talk to Each Provider
Some concerns clearly belong with one provider or the other. A toothache, a chipped tooth, or bleeding gums are usually a call to your dentist. Crowding, gaps, a bite that feels off, or questions about braces and aligners are a good reason to schedule an orthodontic evaluation.
Many families book a consultation after their dentist suggests it, while others call on their own after noticing something at home. Either way, an in-person exam is the way to find out whether treatment makes sense and when it should start.
How to Confirm Your Provider’s Training
Some general dentists offer braces or aligners, and in some states they are allowed to provide specialty care without completing an orthodontic residency. If you want to know who is treating you, it is reasonable to ask where a provider completed orthodontic training. You can also use the Alabama board’s license lookup tool to confirm that a dentist holds a current Alabama license. Our guide to choosing an orthodontist lists more credentials and questions worth reviewing.
Talk With an Orthodontist Near Homewood
Whether your dentist has mentioned a bite concern or you have questions of your own, a consultation can help you understand your options. Families looking for an orthodontist in Homewood can visit our office on Old Montgomery Highway, and the first visit is complimentary. Call (659) 734-1740 or contact our office to request a time.