On occasion you will find a dentist that offers orthodontics at their practice. Sounds convenient right? In this blog, Dr. Randy Feldman and his colleagues will explain why seeing an orthodontist vs a dentist is the best choice when you need braces or Invisalign treatment.
All orthodontists are dentists, but only 6 percent of dentists are orthodontists. Although there are some general dentists that offer orthodontic treatment like braces and Invisalign, an orthodontist would be the best choice to do braces or Invisalign.
Dr. Ernest McDowell shares that, “both general dentists and orthodontists have to graduate from dental school. In dental school, they both learn things like cleaning teeth, extracting teeth, removing cavities and placing fillings. Once a dentist graduates from dental school they go on to practice general dentistry.”
What supports our point, is that an orthodontist continues with their education and completes at least two more years of both clinical and academic study in orthodontics and growth & development of children and young adults.
Dr. Chelsea Brockway adds that “orthodontists are specialists in aligning jaws and straightening teeth. They can choose the best orthodontic treatment from all available options, and they have expert knowledge of new and emerging treatment technologies.”

Dr. Feldman states that “Blue Wave Orthodontics has the Invisalign Top 1% designation, which is awarded only to orthodontists who have expert knowledge of Invisalign and have effectively treated a vast number of patients. In fact, Blue Wave orthodontists have the collective experience of treating more than 4,500 patients with Invisalign! We are within the Top 1% of Invisalign Providers in the world.”
During treatment, you will continue to see your regular dentist for check ups, cleanings, and any necessary restorative dental work, but leave the smile making to your orthodontist.