What is an Orthodontist?
Pearl City, HI
 Parents often hear the terms "dentist" and "orthodontist" used interchangeably, but these two roles serve different purposes in a child's oral health journey. Understanding what an orthodontist does can help families know when specialized care is needed. At Oahu Pediatric Dentistry, our dental team works closely with families to guide them through every stage of their child's smile development, including when a referral to an orthodontist may be helpful.
Defining the Role of an Orthodontist
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses specifically on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. While general dentists provide broad oral health care, orthodontists concentrate on issues related to bite alignment, tooth positioning, and jaw development. Their training allows them to look beyond individual teeth and evaluate how the entire mouth, jaw, and facial structure work together as a child grows.
This specialized perspective is especially valuable during childhood, when the jaw is still developing and many alignment issues are easier to guide into place. By focusing exclusively on these concerns, orthodontists are able to track subtle changes over time and recommend treatment at the point when it will be most effective.
Orthodontists commonly treat concerns such as:
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Crowded or Overlapping Teeth - Correcting spacing issues within the jaw.
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Overbites and Underbites - Addressing misalignment between the upper and lower jaw.
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Crossbites - Fixing improper alignment when the jaw is closed.
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Jaw Growth Concerns - Guiding jaw development in growing children. |
Because these issues can affect chewing, speech, and long-term oral health, an orthodontist's specialized training plays an important role in a child's overall dental care.
Orthodontist vs. General Dentist
Both orthodontists and general dentists complete dental school, but their paths diverge after that foundational education. A general dentist handles a wide range of care, including cleanings, exams, fillings, and preventive treatments. An orthodontist pursues additional years of specialized training focused entirely on tooth movement and jaw alignment.
Key differences include:
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Scope of Practice - General dentists manage overall oral health, while orthodontists focus on alignment and bite correction.
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Additional Training - Orthodontists complete extra years of specialized education beyond dental school.
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Treatment Tools - Orthodontists work with braces, aligners, retainers, and other devices designed to shift teeth over time.
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Referral Relationship - General dentists often identify alignment concerns and refer patients to an orthodontist for specialized treatment. |
Our dental team works alongside orthodontic specialists to help ensure children receive the right type of care at the right time.
Education and Training of an Orthodontist
Becoming an orthodontist requires significant additional education beyond a general dentistry degree. After completing dental school, orthodontists must complete a specialized residency program focused entirely on the diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws.
This additional training typically includes:
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Advanced Coursework - In-depth study of tooth movement, jaw growth, and facial development.
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Clinical Residency - Hands-on training treating patients under close supervision.
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Specialized Certification - Some orthodontists pursue board certification to further demonstrate expertise in the field. |
This extensive training equips orthodontists with the specific knowledge needed to handle complex alignment and bite issues that go beyond general dental care.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
Many parents wonder at what point their child should see an orthodontist rather than continuing with routine dental visits alone. Early evaluation can help identify developing issues before they become more difficult to correct.
Signs that a child may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation include:
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Crowded or Crooked Teeth - Visible overlapping or misalignment as adult teeth come in.
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Difficulty Chewing or Biting - Trouble comfortably biting down or chewing food.
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Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth - Teeth lost significantly earlier or later than expected.
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Jaws That Shift or Make Sounds - Popping, clicking, or shifting during opening and closing.
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Thumb-Sucking Habits Past Age Five - Prolonged habits that may affect jaw and tooth development. |
Our dental team monitors these signs during regular visits and can recommend an orthodontic evaluation when appropriate.
What Happens During an Orthodontic Evaluation?
An orthodontic evaluation typically involves a thorough examination of a child's teeth, jaw, and bite. This may include a visual exam, dental x-rays, and sometimes digital scans or impressions to get a detailed view of how the teeth and jaw are developing.
Based on these findings, the orthodontist can determine whether treatment is currently needed or whether continued monitoring is the best approach. Not every child needs immediate treatment, and some may simply need periodic check-ins as their permanent teeth continue to come in.
During the evaluation, the orthodontist will also discuss any concerns parents may have noticed at home, such as difficulty chewing certain foods, mouth breathing, or changes in speech. This conversation helps build a fuller picture of how a child's bite and jaw are functioning day to day, not just how they look during a single exam. Parents are encouraged to ask questions throughout the process, since understanding the reasoning behind a recommendation can make it easier to support a child through any treatment that follows.
Talk to Our Dental Team
If you have questions about what an orthodontist does or whether your child may benefit from an orthodontic evaluation, our dental team at Oahu Pediatric Dentistry is happy to help guide you through the next steps.
Call (808) 456-4555 today to schedule an appointment and learn more about supporting your child's smile at every stage of development.
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