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Top Orthodontists
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New York, NY
Amazing Smiles Orthodontics
100-25 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY 11375Jennifer Stachel Orthodontics
New York, NY 10019Dr. Michelle Katz
New York, NY 10011
Los Angeles, CA
Kahan Orthodontics
Tarzana, CA 91356Orthospaceship - Hakim Orthodontics
9201 Sunset Blvd Suite 905, Los Angeles, CA 90069Kwon Orthodontics
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Chicago, IL
Royal Dental Care
Norridge, IL 60706Affinity Dental
Chicago, IL 60618Lippitz Orthodontics
Chicago, IL 60645
Brooklyn, NY
Dr. Laurence A. Langer, D.D.S.
Brooklyn, NY 11234Scantlebury Orthodontics
Brooklyn, NY 11238Advanced Gentle Dentistry of Park Slope
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Houston, TX
Cooper Orthodontics
Houston, TX 77007Elara Orthodontics
16733 West Airport Boulevard, Richmond, TX 77407Kingwood Orthodontics
Kingwood, TX 77345
Phoenix, AZ
E&S Orthodontics
2632 South 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85043Scottsdale Orthodontic Care
Scottsdale, AZ 85254Hilgers Orthodontics
Goodyear, AZ 85395
Philadelphia, PA
Orthodontics Limited
Philadelphia, PA 19115Greco Orthodontics
Ardmore, PA 19003DelliGatti and Milewski Orthodontic Group
Philadelphia, PA 19149
San Antonio, TX
Cochran Orthodontics
San Antonio, TX 78216Hulme Orthodontics
San Antonio, TX 78248UC Smiles Orthodontics
Universal City, TX 78148
Dallas, TX
Fusion Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry
Dallas, TX 75252Cope - Clear Orthodontics
Dallas, TX 75205Highland Park Orthodontics
Dallas, TX 75225
San Diego, CA
MOD Squad Dental
San Diego, CA 92131Gilmore Orthodontics
San Diego, CA 92131Dr.Melanie Orthodontics
10432 Reserve Dr #114, San Diego, CA 92127
Top Orthodontists in other locations
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Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Dentistry is a broad type of medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the mouth, gums, throat, and overall oral care. An orthodontist is a type of dentist that specializes in fixing misaligned teeth, jaw alignment, and bite patterns. One way to distinguish between the two is that all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. In their lifetime, everyone should regularly see a dentist. However, only people with specific dental problems will need to see an orthodontist.
What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialty dentist who receives advanced training to diagnose and treat overbites, overcrowded mouths, misaligned teeth and jaws, and occlusions. After diagnosing the issue, an orthodontist will recommend a treatment course that may include surgery, braces, retainers, tooth removal, and more. An orthodontist receives more training than a general dentist to become an expert in their specific field of dentistry.
Are orthodontists doctors?
Yes, all dentists are doctors of oral health. Dentists receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree or a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS). As orthodontists are a type of dentist, they qualify as a doctor.
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
A dentist treats a wide variety of issues. An orthodontist is a specialist who has received extra training to focus on one aspect of dentistry — teeth and jaw alignment. An orthodontist has all the training the dentist has and could drop orthodontics and practice general dentistry. In comparison, a dentist would need to have the additional education to become an orthodontist.
What does an orthodontist do?
People go to an orthodontist when they have teeth or jaw abnormalities. An orthodontist treats:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Overly spaced teeth
- Bite alignment issues, such as an overbite or an underbite
- Jaw misalignment
- Facial symmetry issues
Do you have to be referred to an orthodontist?
Most orthodontists today don’t require a referral to book a consultation appointment with a new patient. However, you may wish to get a referral from your dentist to get a recommendation. If you’re hoping to get your orthodontic care covered by insurance, your insurance may require a referral. Contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage and details.
Do orthodontists keep retainer molds?
People often lose or break their retainer. If that happens, they’ll need to visit their orthodontist and pay for a new retainer. Luckily, since orthodontists know this happens so frequently, most keep retainer molds on file to get a new one made for you immediately.