Maybe your dentist just mentioned the word “orthodontist” for the first time. Maybe your teenager wants Invisalign and you’re not sure who actually handles that. Or maybe you’re an adult who’s been putting off treatment for years, and you’re finally ready to figure out where to start.
Whatever brought you here, you probably have one simple question: what does an orthodontist actually do, and how is that different from your dentist?
Here’s the thing. The two professions overlap, but they’re not the same job. Understanding the difference helps you know exactly who to call, what training they went through to get there, and what to expect when you sit down in the chair.
What Does An Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist is a dentist who went back to school for a specific focus: how teeth, jaws, and bites fit together. Your dentist keeps your teeth and gums healthy. An orthodontist looks at the whole picture, how your teeth line up, how your jaw opens and closes, and how your bite affects everything from chewing to your facial profile.
That distinction matters more than most people realize. Straight teeth are only part of the goal. A properly trained orthodontist is also evaluating your bite alignment, your jaw joints, and in some cases, your airway. Orthodontics is really the study of how all of these systems work together, not just a checklist of crooked teeth to fix.
The Educational Path To Becoming An Orthodontist
If you’ve ever wondered how long it takes to become an orthodontist, the honest answer is longer than most people expect.
It starts with a bachelor’s degree, usually four years, typically with a heavy science course load. From there, dental school takes another four years and ends with a DDS or DMD degree, the same degree your general dentist holds. At that point, a dentist can practice general dentistry, but they are not yet an orthodontist.
To become an orthodontist, a dentist has to apply to and complete an additional orthodontic specialty residency, which usually takes two to three more years of focused, hands-on training in tooth movement, jaw development, and bite correction. All in, most orthodontists spend ten to eleven years in school after high school before they treat their first patient independently.
Dr. David Alpan’s own path shows just how demanding that timeline really is. He earned his DDS from the University of the Pacific, then completed his orthodontic specialty certificate along with a Master’s of Science in Dentistry, with his master’s thesis focused specifically on TMJ. That additional research work is part of why TMJ evaluation is built into how he treats every patient and not treated as a separate referral.
Credentials Worth Knowing About Before You Book
Once you know a dentist and an orthodontist are different, the next question is what to actually check for when you’re choosing one.
Start with licensure. Every orthodontist should be licensed to practice in your state, which confirms they’ve met the legal and educational requirements to treat patients there. Dr. Alpan is licensed in both California and Nevada.
Beyond licensure, experience and continuing education tell you a lot about how current and how deep a doctor’s training really is. Dr. Alpan has personally created more than 25,000 treatment plans over the course of his career, and he has trained more than 12,000 doctors on Invisalign treatment planning worldwide. He also helped build the original Treatment Planning Service that Invisalign later acquired, which became the technology known today as ClinCheck Assist. He remains an active mentor within Align’s orthodontic mentorship network.
That kind of background means the person planning your case isn’t just applying a standard protocol. He’s the doctor other doctors have turned to for years when their own cases got complicated.
You can meet the doctors and team at Alpan Orthodontics to see the full credentials behind the care you’d be getting.
When Should You See An Orthodontist Instead Of Your Dentist?
Your dentist is the right call for cleanings, cavities, and general oral health. But certain signs point specifically toward an orthodontist.
Crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth are the obvious ones. So is a bite that doesn’t line up right, whether your teeth don’t meet evenly or your jaw shifts uncomfortably when you chew. Jaw pain, clicking, or tension near your ears can also be a sign worth having an orthodontist evaluate, especially one with specific TMJ training.
Many dentists will refer patients out once they spot these issues. But you don’t actually have to wait for that referral.
Do You Need A Referral To See An Orthodontist?
No. This is one of the most common myths in dentistry, and it holds people back from getting help sooner than they need to.
Orthodontists are dental specialists, but in nearly all cases, you can schedule directly with one without a referral from your general dentist. If you notice crowding, bite problems, or jaw discomfort, you’re free to book a consultation on your own timeline.
That said, working with your dentist matters once treatment starts. If you need dental work completed first, like a filling or a cleaning, your orthodontist and dentist will typically coordinate so your treatment plan can move forward without delays.
Why Dr. Alpan’s Background Matters For Your Case
Here’s what separates a general orthodontic evaluation from the one you’d get at Alpan Orthodontics. Because Dr. Alpan’s graduate training centered on TMJ, your bite, jaw joints, and airway get evaluated as part of your orthodontic plan from day one, not addressed separately if a problem shows up later.
He also personally designs every treatment plan at the practice himself, drawing on the same planning expertise he’s taught to thousands of other doctors. His trained team then carries out the day-to-day visits, but the plan guiding your case is always his.
That combination, deep specialty training plus a career built around teaching other doctors how to plan complex cases, is why patients with complicated bites or cases another office called too difficult often end up here. If you want to see that experience in action, the before and after transformations page shows real results from real cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?Â
A: A dentist manages your overall oral health, including cleanings, fillings, and gum health. An orthodontist is a dentist who completed additional specialty training focused specifically on tooth alignment, bite correction, and jaw development.
Q: How long does it take to become an orthodontist?Â
A: Most orthodontists complete four years of undergraduate study, four years of dental school, and two to three more years of orthodontic specialty training, roughly ten to eleven years total after high school.
Q: Do I need a referral from my dentist to see an orthodontist?Â
A: No, you can schedule directly with an orthodontist without a referral in nearly all cases. Coordination with your dentist usually only happens if dental work needs to be completed before orthodontic treatment begins.
Q: What age should my child see an orthodontist?Â
A: Many families schedule a first orthodontic evaluation once a dentist or parent notices crowding, bite issues, or jaw concerns. An orthodontist can advise on timing once a full evaluation has been done.
Q: Does insurance cover orthodontic treatment?Â
A: Coverage varies by plan and by case. Our insurance and financing page walks through what to check with your provider and what payment options are available.
Q: Where can I read more about Dr. Alpan’s background and training?Â
A: You can find published features and additional background on Dr. Alpan’s training and clinical philosophy on the published in print page.
Ready To Get A Real Answer About Your Bite Or Your Child’s Smile?
You don’t need to guess whether what you’re seeing is normal, and you don’t need a referral to find out. A consultation gives you a clear, honest read on what’s actually going on and what your options look like.
Alpan Orthodontics has locations across the Los Angeles area, so you can find the office closest to you and get started. Schedule your consultation today and get a real answer from a doctor who has planned more than 25,000 cases.