What is an orthodontist, and how is one different from a dentist?

What an orthodontist does

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who prevents, diagnoses and treats problems with the position of the teeth and jaws. That covers crowded or crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites, and jaws that do not meet properly. The tools of the trade are braces, clear aligners, plates and expanders, retainers and, for a small number of adults, combined treatment with a maxillofacial surgeon.

Orthodontics Australia, the consumer arm of the Australian Society of Orthodontists, describes orthodontists as dental specialists trained at university to prevent, diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities. The word “specialist” is doing real work in that sentence: in Australia it is a legally protected title that only practitioners with specialist registration may use.

Most orthodontists work in private specialist practices and see patients referred by a general dentist, although you do not need a referral to book an assessment. Some also work in public hospital clinics and university teaching programs.

Training and registration

Every orthodontist starts as a dentist. They complete a general dental degree, register with the Dental Board of Australia through AHPRA and usually practise as a general dentist for several years. They then compete for a place in an accredited orthodontic program, which Orthodontics Australia describes as a further three years of full-time university study covering orthodontics, facial growth and development, biology and biomechanics.

Places are scarce. Orthodontics Australia says only three to four orthodontists are trained each year at each of the five accredited Australian universities, which is why there are far fewer orthodontists than dentists. On graduating with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry or equivalent, the practitioner applies to the Dental Board for specialist registration in orthodontics. Only once that is granted may they use the title orthodontist.

This is the key point for consumers: the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist offering braces is not a matter of marketing or experience. It is a formal qualification recorded on the public AHPRA register.

Orthodontist versus dentist

A general dentist is your first port of call for almost everything: check-ups, cleans, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum treatment and advice. Dentists are trained to recognise alignment and bite problems and, Orthodontics Australia notes, usually refer patients who need orthodontic treatment to a specialist. Dentists are not trained to fit braces as part of their general degree.

That said, some general dentists do offer braces or clear aligners, usually after completing short provider courses run by aligner companies or private training organisations. This is legal, and for mild cases it can be appropriate. But a dentist in this position cannot call themselves an orthodontist, and the Australian Society of Orthodontists’ position is that complex cases, growing children with jaw discrepancies and anything involving significant bite correction should be managed by a specialist.

On this site we never describe a practitioner as a specialist orthodontist unless AHPRA lists them with specialist registration in orthodontics. If you are comparing a dentist’s aligner quote with an orthodontist’s, our Invisalign versus braces guide and clear aligner review explain what to ask.

When to see an orthodontist

Orthodontics Australia recommends that children have an orthodontic assessment by around age seven. Most will not need treatment then, but at that age an orthodontist can spot developing jaw problems, crowding or habits (such as thumb-sucking) where early intervention is simpler. For most children, active treatment with braces or aligners starts between about 11 and 14, once most adult teeth are through; our braces for kids guide covers the timing in detail.

Adults can be treated at any age provided the teeth and gums are healthy. Common reasons adults see an orthodontist include crowding that has worsened over time, teeth that have shifted after earlier braces, bite problems causing wear or jaw discomfort, and preparation for restorative work such as implants or bridges. An orthodontist will also tell you when treatment is not worthwhile, which is useful information in itself.

Signs that a dentist is likely to refer you include teeth that overlap or are rotated, a noticeable gap between the upper and lower front teeth when biting, difficulty chewing or biting into food, a jaw that clicks or shifts, speech affected by tooth position, and crowding that makes teeth hard to clean. None of these is a diagnosis; see a registered dentist or orthodontist for assessment.

How to check an orthodontist is registered

Search the AHPRA Register of practitioners online by name. The register shows every registered dental practitioner in Australia, their registration type and, for specialists, the specialty in which they are registered. An orthodontist’s entry will show “Specialist” with “Orthodontics” listed. The register also shows any conditions or undertakings on a practitioner’s registration.

You can also check the Orthodontics Australia website, which lists members of the Australian Society of Orthodontists by location. Membership is not compulsory, so a registered orthodontist may not appear there, but every member must hold AHPRA specialist registration.

Be wary of phrases such as “orthodontic dentist”, “dentist specialising in orthodontics” or “braces specialist”. These are sometimes used by general dentists offering orthodontic services and do not indicate specialist registration. If in doubt, ask directly whether the practitioner holds AHPRA specialist registration in orthodontics, then confirm it on the register.

What orthodontic treatment costs

Orthodontists do not charge a fixed scale of fees, and prices vary by case complexity, appliance type and city. An initial consultation is often free or modestly priced, and most practices quote a total fee for the whole course of treatment with a payment plan over its duration. Specialist fees are often, but not always, higher than a general dentist’s for the same appliance, reflecting training and the complexity of cases they take on.

For current indicative prices for metal and ceramic braces, lingual braces and clear aligners, with sources from Orthodontics Australia and published practice fee pages, see our braces cost guide and Invisalign cost guide. To find a specialist near you, start with our orthodontist directory, which lists providers by city and shows only AHPRA-registered specialists as orthodontists.

Health funds pay orthodontic benefits only on higher extras policies, usually with a 12-month waiting period and a lifetime limit. Check your policy before starting treatment; our extras cover comparison explains what to look for.

Common questions