For braces or clear aligners, you’ll get the most specialized care from an orthodontist — a dentist who has completed additional years of advanced training focused exclusively on tooth and jaw alignment. That said, it’s a great question, and one we hear often. Understanding the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist can help you make a more informed decision for yourself or your child — so let’s walk through exactly what sets an orthodontist apart and why it matters.

At Compass Orthodontics in Medina, MN, we believe an informed patient is an empowered one. So let’s walk through exactly what sets an orthodontist apart, what your dentist’s role is in your care, and why choosing a specialist for orthodontic treatment makes a meaningful difference.

Both Start in the Same Place

Here’s something that surprises many people: dentists and orthodontists share the same educational foundation. Both complete four years of dental school after earning their undergraduate degree, graduating with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Both are licensed to practice in the state where they work, and both are committed to their patients’ oral health.

The difference isn’t in where they start. It’s in where they go from there.

Orthodontists Choose a Specialty

After dental school, the path to becoming an orthodontist requires an additional step that not every dental graduate pursues — and not every applicant is accepted into. Future orthodontists must apply to and be accepted into an accredited orthodontic residency program. These are competitive positions, and the training is intensive.

Residency programs typically run two to three years and focus exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of tooth and jaw alignment, facial growth and development, and the mechanics of orthodontic tooth movement. This isn’t a continuation of general dental training — it’s a complete shift in focus toward one specialty.

Upon completing residency, every orthodontist earns a Certificate in Orthodontics. Some programs also offer a research track, where residents conduct original clinical research and defend a thesis — earning a Master of Science degree alongside their certificate. It’s a significant additional undertaking, and one that speaks to a deeper commitment to the science behind the specialty.

What Your Dentist Does — and Why It Matters

Before we go further, it’s worth saying clearly: your dentist is an essential part of your oral health care team. Whether you see a general dentist or a pediatric dentist, your provider is an expert in overall oral health — cleanings, restorations, cavity prevention, and monitoring the health of your teeth and gums over time.

In fact, many patients are referred to an orthodontist by their dentist when a child turns 7 years of age and when orthodontic questions or concerns arise. That relationship between your dental team and your orthodontist is one we take seriously at Compass. We stay in communication with your dentist throughout your treatment to ensure everyone is on the same page — because comprehensive care is better care.

The Value of Focused Expertise

When you choose an orthodontist for braces or clear aligners, you’re choosing someone whose entire professional focus is on tooth and jaw alignment. Every patient. Every day. That depth of specialization shapes how a diagnosis is made, how a treatment plan is designed, and how results are achieved and maintained.

Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about moving teeth into a straighter position. It involves understanding how the upper and lower jaws relate to each other, how facial growth affects treatment timing — particularly in children and adolescents — and how to plan treatment that produces a result that’s both beautiful and stable long-term. These are nuances that come from years of focused training and thousands of cases treated.

At Compass, we take a technology-forward approach to care — because the tools available today allow for more precise diagnosis, more efficient treatment, and more predictable outcomes than ever before. That investment in technology is paired with the clinical expertise to know how to use it well.

What About Board Certification?

Completing a residency and earning a license to practice is what’s required to call yourself an orthodontist. But some orthodontists go further — pursuing voluntary board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association.

ABO board certification requires passing a rigorous written examination, submitting real patient case reports for review by a panel of expert examiners, and demonstrating clinical outcomes across a range of case types. It’s not a one-time achievement — certified orthodontists must renew their certification every ten years, demonstrating continued proficiency as the field evolves.

It’s a mark of excellence that goes well beyond what’s required to practice — and one we’re proud Dr. Sperl has earned. We’ll be exploring what board certification really means, and why it matters for your care, in an upcoming post.

Choosing the Right Provider for Your Smile

So, should you see a dentist or an orthodontist for braces or clear aligners? If your goal is a healthy, aligned smile — for yourself or your child — an orthodontic specialist brings a level of focused training and expertise that is purpose-built for exactly that outcome.

At Compass Orthodontics, Dr. Adam Sperl is a board-certified orthodontist who completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota, earning both his Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science degree. He brings nearly a decade of education and thousands of treated smiles to every patient he sees — and a genuine passion for doing this work well.

We serve families in Medina, Plymouth, Wayzata, Maple Grove, and throughout the west metro — and we’d love to be part of your smile journey.

Complimentary consultations are always available. Schedule yours online or give us a call at 952-222-7692. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

This Explorer Post was reviewed by Dr. Adam Sperl, Board-Certified Orthodontist and founder of Compass Orthodontics in Medina, MN.