You’ve decided you want straighter teeth — or maybe your regular dentist just told you your child needs braces. Now you’re wondering: do I see my dentist, or do I need to find an orthodontist? And what exactly is the difference between the two?
The short answer: A dentist is a general oral health specialist who handles teeth cleaning, fillings, extractions, and overall dental care. An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an additional 3-year postgraduate specialisation (MDS) exclusively in diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. For braces, Invisalign, or bite correction, you need an orthodontist — not a general dentist.
It’s a question I hear often at Braces and Beyond. Here’s exactly how I explain it.
What Does a Dentist Do?
A dentist completes a BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) — a five-year undergraduate degree. After that, they are qualified to:
- Perform routine dental check-ups and cleanings
- Fill cavities and treat tooth decay
- Extract teeth
- Treat gum disease
- Place dental crowns, bridges, and veneers
- Detect early signs of oral health problems
Think of your dentist as your primary care doctor for your mouth. They manage the overall health of your teeth and gums, and they’re often the first person to notice if something needs specialist attention.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist first completes the same BDS degree as a general dentist. After that, they go on to complete a 3-year postgraduate MDS (Master of Dental Surgery) in Orthodontics — a specialty focused entirely on tooth movement, jaw alignment, and bite correction.
This means an orthodontist spends three additional years studying:
- How and why teeth move
- Facial growth and development
- Cephalometric analysis (X-ray-based skeletal assessment)
- Biomechanics of braces and clear aligners
- Correction of overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites
- Interceptive treatment in children
According to the Dental Council of India, orthodontics is one of nine recognised postgraduate dental specialities — a distinct clinical discipline, not an add-on skill.
According to Dr. Chinmayi Desale, MDS Orthodontics, “The difference isn’t just in the title. An orthodontist has spent thousands of clinical hours focused only on tooth and jaw movement. That depth of training matters enormously when a case involves complex bite correction or when treatment decisions affect long-term facial structure — especially in growing children.”
Orthodontist vs Dentist: Side-by-Side
| General Dentist | Orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | BDS | BDS + MDS (Orthodontics) |
| Additional training | None required | 3-year postgraduate specialisation |
| Primary focus | Overall oral health | Teeth alignment and jaw correction |
| Braces or Invisalign | Sometimes offered | Core specialty |
| Bite correction | No | Yes |
| Interceptive treatment in children | No | Yes |
| Routine check-ups | Yes | No (refer back to dentist) |
Can a General Dentist Offer Braces or Invisalign?
In India, general dentists are legally permitted to provide orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners. Some do — and some have taken short courses in aligner therapy. However, there is a significant difference between a dentist who has attended a weekend Invisalign course and an orthodontist who trained for three postgraduate years in tooth movement and jaw biomechanics.
This is one of the few questions in orthodontics with a direct evidence base. A study in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (2004) scored finished cases using the American Board of Orthodontics grading index and found specialist-treated cases scored significantly better than those finished by general dentists, with tooth alignment showing the largest gap. A later blind comparison in The Angle Orthodontist (2012) reached the same conclusion across nearly every measure assessed.
This matters most in complex cases — crowding with extractions, significant bite discrepancies, skeletal jaw issues, or treatment in growing children. For straightforward cases in experienced hands, outcomes can still be good. But you deserve to know who is designing your treatment plan and what their training background is.
At Braces and Beyond in Aundh, Dr. Chinmayi Desale personally reviews every case — no treatment plan is delegated to a technician or generated without clinical oversight.
When Should You See a Dentist?
See your general dentist for:
- Six-monthly check-ups and professional cleanings
- Fillings, root canals, or tooth extractions
- Crowns, veneers, or dental implants
- Gum treatment
- General oral health concerns
Your dentist is also often the person who refers you to an orthodontist when they notice alignment issues during a routine check-up. That referral is a good thing — it means your dentist is doing their job well.
When Should You See an Orthodontist?
See an orthodontist if you or your child has:
- Crowded, crooked, or widely spaced teeth
- An overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
- Jaw pain or discomfort when chewing
- Self-consciousness about your smile
- A dentist recommendation for braces or alignment correction
- A child aged 7+ who hasn’t been assessed for early intervention
A common question: Do I need a dentist referral to see an orthodontist in Pune? No. You can book directly with an orthodontist without a referral. Your dentist referral is helpful but never required.
Ready to find out what’s actually happening with your teeth or your child’s bite?
Book a Consultation on WhatsApp — Dr. Chinmayi Desale will review your case, explain exactly what treatment (if any) is needed, and give you honest recommendations with no sales pressure.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Require Healthy Teeth First?
Yes — and this is where your dentist and orthodontist work together. Before starting braces or Invisalign in Aundh, any active cavities or gum disease should be treated first. Your orthodontist will typically ask for a clearance from your general dentist before beginning treatment.
Think of it this way: your dentist keeps your teeth healthy; your orthodontist makes sure they’re straight and your bite is correct. Both roles matter.
What About Cost — Orthodontist vs Dentist for Braces?
When a general dentist offers braces at a lower cost than a specialist orthodontist, it can be tempting to choose based on price alone. But consider what you’re comparing: the outcome of orthodontic treatment is determined almost entirely by the clinical knowledge behind the treatment plan. A mismanaged case can require years of corrective treatment — at a cost that often exceeds what was saved initially.
For a clear picture of what orthodontic treatment costs from a specialist in Pune, see our guides on Invisalign cost in Pune and braces cost in Pune.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an orthodontist more expensive than a dentist for braces? Specialist fees may differ from general dental fees, but treatment complexity and outcome quality are the more important variables. A treatment plan designed by an MDS-qualified orthodontist is based on postgraduate-level training — that depth has clinical value.
At what age should a child first see an orthodontist? The Indian Orthodontic Society recommends an initial orthodontic assessment by age 7. This doesn’t mean treatment starts at 7 — it means any developing bite problems can be identified early when intervention is most effective.
Can I see Dr. Chinmayi Desale if I’m already seeing a dentist? Absolutely. Many patients at Braces and Beyond continue to see their regular dentist for check-ups and cleanings while their orthodontic treatment is ongoing. The two types of care complement each other.
If you’re in Aundh, Baner, Wakad, or anywhere in Pune and you’re wondering whether what you’re seeing in the mirror needs orthodontic attention — book a consultation on WhatsApp. A clinical assessment takes 30 minutes. The clarity it gives you lasts much longer.