Although orthodontists and dentists share many similarities - they both work hard to help you improve your overall oral health – specialization is what sets an orthodontist apart from a dentist. It’s a bit like the difference between your GP medical doctor and a specialist physician like a dermatologist (or any other medical specialist). Orthodontists complete an additional three years of full-time university training, on top of their general dental degree. They also limit their practice to only orthodontic treatment so that is all they do all day, every day. Orthodontists have been specifically trained and are the most qualified, to treat issues having to do with the alignment of teeth and jaws to ensure you, or your child, ends up with a healthy and confident smile.

There's no set age as to when a child should first visit an orthodontist — some go when they're 6, some go when they're 10, and some go while they're teens. The American Association of Orthodontics, however, recommends that an orthodontist examine a child's teeth by the time they are 7 years old, even while baby teeth are still in the mouth.

No, you do not. Many of our patients are referred by their dentist or pediatric dentist, but just as many schedule their initial exam without consulting their dentist.