This is a specific area of dentistry that specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial issues, the most common, "straightening of crooked teeth".  In layman's terms, the area of dentistry that deals with a "bad bite" also known in the dental profession as "malocclusion". 

What's the Difference Between and Orthodontist and Dentist?

Many people ask what the main difference is between orthodontists and dentists.  Less than 10% of dentists can actually call themselves an orthodontist.  After a dentist graduates from dental school they can further there education by specializing in a branch of dentistry such as orthdontics by taking a 2 - 3 year residency program taking advanced orthodontic courses approved by the ADA American Dental Association .  They will learn specialized skills relating to tooth movement and balancing facial irregularities.  A dentist can only call themselves an orthodontist after completing this required advanced specialized education.

Can a Dentist Provide You With Orthodontic Treatment? 

Yes a dentist that does not have the specialized designation of orthodontist can provide you with a wide variety of orthodontic treatment.  However, many general dentists choose to refer complex and challenging ortho patients to the specilized orthodontists.  This is not to say that a general dentist cannot provide you with great results through orthodontic care.  As with any major decision make sure you check the dentists credentials and experience.

What's the Quickest Way to Straighten Teeth?

The one drawback to orthodontic care, especially as an adult, is the length of time it takes to complete treatment.  There are many new technologies today that make wearing dental braces less visible. Some treatment options can accelerate the time it takes to correct your bad bite or crooked teeth.  The best way to determine a treatment option is to have a consulation with a dentist that provides orthodontic care or a specialized orthodontist.

What Are the Benefits of Straight Teeth Using Orthodontics Vs. Some Other Method of Straigtening Teeth? 

Straightening your teeth with traditional orthodontics allows you to keep your natural teeth without having to remove natural tooth structure.  If your teeth are healthy and just need to be aligned, orthodontics will allow you to preserve your natural teeth.  Wheras another equally popular alternative to braces "porcelain veneers" allows you to give the appearance of perfectly straight teeth in as little as two visits, however in most cases the dentist will have to prepare your teeth to fit the veneers which means removing tooth structure.

Invisible Braces

There are so many different ways to straighten teeth today thanks to improved technology and greater competition.  The dental consumer with crooked teeth now has many choices. Lets face it, there aren't too many adults or teens that want a set of metal braces over their teeth for the world to notice. Invisible braces come in many different forms.  The term invisible is used in so many different applications.  For example, orthodontic appliances / aligners from companies like Invisalign and Orthoclear are made of clear plastic and are removable, however it would be more appropriate to say "nearly invisible".  They are a great option for adults and teens that want a solution to straighten their teeth without the traditional wires. 

Here are three options to look at while searching for invisible braces

Invisalign - the world's leading invisible orthodontic product is marketing by Align Technology. There are over 30,000 dentists around the world that offer this incredbile product.

Orthoclear - this company was founded by former Invisalign founder Zia Chisti and other former employees of Align Tech. They have produced an orthodontic product with similar characteristics.

i-Braces - this is a an orthodontic product that is developed by a company called Lingualcare. Ibraces are a proprietary method of teeth straightening developed by Lingualcare and are commonly referred to as "lingual braces" as they are the braces that are behind the front of your teeth.

Many dentists and orthodontists offer invisible braces. To find a dentist in your area use our find dentist page.  Some of these dentists offer invisible braces.