When the top front teeth don’t close over the bottom teeth.

When the bottom teeth sit forward of the top teeth.

A crossbite happens when one or more of your upper teeth sit inside of your lower teeth.

When the top teeth protrude too far forward of the bottom teeth.

An overbite happens when the top teeth come so far down that they hide most of your bottom teeth.

Gaps between teeth may be caused in different ways – small teeth, missing teeth, or large frenum (if the band of gum between your upper central teeth is unusually large).

Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough room in the jaw for all the teeth, causing them to bunch together, overlap, or twist out of position.

When the adult tooth is trying to come through, but there isn’t enough room, it can often poke out of the top of the gum.

Sometimes an adult or baby tooth can remain hidden below the gum line and can only be identified with an x-ray.

A narrow upper arch occurs when the upper jaw is too constricted, which can crowd the teeth and affect how the upper and lower teeth come together.

Dentist vs Orthodontist: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Your Smile Options in Earlwood

We understand that choosing orthodontic treatment is a significant investment of both time and money, and we want our patients to make informed decisions. To help, we’ve outlined the key differences between a general dentist and a fully trained orthodontist. By carefully exploring your options, you can ensure the best possible outcome for you or your child – getting the greatest value from your investment in a healthy, confident smile.

How Orthodontists Differ from General Dentists

Education and Training

General Dentist: Completes a dental degree (typically 4–5 years).
Orthodontist: Orthodontists complete the same dental degree (typically 4–5 years) as general dentists, then undertake an additional 3 years of specialised orthodontic training. They must also be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to practise as a specialist.

Scope of Practice

General Dentist: Focuses on overall oral health, providing services such as teeth cleaning, cavity fillings, gum care, crowns, root canals and everyday oral hygiene guidance.

Orthodontist: Specialises in correcting teeth and jaw alignment, offering treatments like braces, clear aligners, expanders, retainers and other orthodontic appliances.

Can My Dentist Offer Invisalign?

Some dentists offer basic Invisalign treatment after doing a short course. However, this doesn’t mean they are a qualified orthodontist with the same level of experience and training.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO), which is the the peak body for Orthodontists and orthodontic knowledge across Australia, states: “Only a fully qualified specialist orthodontist has the training, experience and expert knowledge to provide the best results from your clear aligner treatment. “

This means results rely on your doctor’s expertise, training and attention to detail in your digital treatment plan – not the clear aligners themselves.

Are All Orthodontists Dentists?

The short answer is yes – every orthodontist, including our own Dr Vanessa Jimenez, is first and foremost a dentist. However, not all dentists go on to become orthodontists.

Dentist vs Orthodontist FAQs

Deciding whether to see a dentist or an orthodontist can be confusing.

We’ve answered some of the most common questions people have about the differences between the two, what each professional can do, and how to know which one is right for your teeth and smile

How do I know if my child or I need an orthodontist instead of our general dentist?

A good rule of thumb: dentists maintain teeth; orthodontists correct how they fit together. The tricky part is knowing when something crosses that line.

Here are the clearest signs it’s time to see an orthodontist (even if your dentist hasn’t referred you yet):

Obvious alignment or bite issues

Crooked or crowded teeth
Big gaps
Teeth that stick out (protrusion)
Top and bottom teeth don’t meet properly (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite)

Functional problems (these matter more than appearance)

Difficulty chewing or biting food
Jaw shifting, clicking, or pain
Mouth breathing or trouble closing lips comfortably
Speech issues (like lisping caused by tooth position)

In children (early warning signs)

Losing baby teeth too early or too late
Permanent teeth coming in crooked or blocked
Thumb sucking past ~age 4–5
Narrow palate or crowded incoming teeth
Jaws that look uneven or shift when they bite

The Australian Association of Orthodontists recommends the first orthodontic check-up as soon as the problem is identified, and no later than age 8. There are generally three possible recommendations from the initial check-up:

No treatment necessary, but will continue to monitor growth and development.
Treatment may be needed in the future, but further development is required before intervention.
Early treatment is required.

Can a dentist perform complex tooth movement like rotations or severe crowding?

No. Dentists may offer minor cosmetic alignment with clear aligners for simple cases, but orthodontists are trained to apply precise force sequences using wires, brackets, and elastics to correct severe crowding, rotations, spacing, and bite discrepancies.

Can I just get cosmetic treatments from my dentist instead of braces from an orthodontist?

Dentists offer cosmetic treatments, including tooth whitening, reshaping, and veneers, which can improve your smile. Orthodontists focus on moving teeth into their proper positions to improve both appearance and function, making your smile not only straight but also stable and long-lasting.

Invest In Your Smile With Confidence

We understand it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but with braces, Invisalign, or any orthodontic treatment, you often get what you pay for. Choosing a provider based solely on price can be risky – the expertise and attention to detail that shape your results truly matter.

A general dentist may offer treatment at a lower price, but the results don’t always match the precision and planning of a fully trained orthodontist and may not include a comprehensive retention plan to keep your new smile in place. At Earlwood Orthodontics, we understand the significance of this investment and make treatment accessible. With our flexible, interest-free payment plans, you can confidently invest in your smile, knowing it’s in the hands of a specialist.