Did you know that over 60% of adults visit a dentist regularly, yet many still don’t know when they should see an orthodontist instead? Whether you’re dealing with tooth pain, crooked teeth, or bite issues, choosing the right specialist can save you time, money, and discomfort—but how do you know which one is right for you?
While both dentists and orthodontists are trained in oral health, their expertise differs significantly. Dentists focus on general dental care—cleaning teeth, treating cavities, and managing gum health. Orthodontists, on the other hand, specialize in correcting misaligned teeth and jaw issues, using treatments like braces and clear aligners to improve your smile’s function and appearance.
If you’re in the UAE, where dental tourism and advanced orthodontic care are booming, knowing when to see a dentist vs. an orthodontist can help you make informed decisions about your oral health journey. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, while adults can seek treatment at any age for alignment issues.
Education and Training Differences
Both general dentists and orthodontic specialists complete dental school, earning a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. General dentists finish four years studying oral health care, gum disease treatment, tooth decay prevention, root canals and basic cosmetic dentistry at dentistry schools.
A dentist can become an orthodontist only after extra training—a specialised two to three-year residency programme in orthodontics. Orthodontists spend around 3,700 hours in this advanced education to master bite correction, facial growth patterns and teeth alignment using clear aligners or braces.
Once they complete their orthodontic residency, these specialists must pass certification tests before providing orthodontic services for crowded teeth or jaw problems like mouth breathing issues in UAE dental clinics.
Roles and Responsibilities
Dentists focus on overall oral health through regular dental cleanings and treatments for issues such as gum disease, tooth decay or cavities. Orthodontists provide specialised care in correcting teeth alignment problems like crowded teeth or incorrect bites, often using braces or clear aligners.
Common Procedures Performed by Dentists
Visiting a general dentist regularly protects your oral health and prevents tooth decay. At your local dental office in the UAE, common procedures include:
- Routine dental cleanings – Dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar to stop gum disease like gingivitis, keeping teeth clean and strong.
- Dental X-rays – General dentists conduct and interpret these images to spot cavities, tooth crowding or oral infections early.
- Filling cavities – Dentists treat tooth decay by removing damaged parts and filling them with safe materials to protect your dental health.
- Tooth extraction – If damage is severe, dentists carry out oral surgery safely to extract the problem tooth at their dentist office.
- Teeth whitening – For a brighter smile, general dentists offer treatments that lift stains from tea, coffee or smoking effectively.
- Crowns and veneers – Damaged teeth can be restored using dental crowns or dental veneers which improve appearance and function clearly.
- Root canals – Dentists save infected teeth through root canal treatments which remove infection from within the tooth avoiding further harm.
- Paediatric dentistry care – Dentists watch children’s teeth development closely, advising families about thumb sucking issues or mouth breathing habits.
- Oral health checkups – During regular visits at least twice a year, general practitioners detect signs of gum disease early and help maintain healthy gums.
- Cosmetic dentistry treatments – Procedures such as clear aligners straighten crowded teeth gently for straight teeth without braces.
- Treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) – Dentists diagnose jawbone pain related problems around upper and lower jaws improving comfort significantly with proper care plans.
- Prescribe medications – If needed for oral infections or pain relief after dental services like oral surgery, dentists prescribe suitable medicine ensuring patient comfort throughout recovery periods comfortably.
These common procedures make up essential aspects of quality dental care in UAE dental practices today—protecting smiles each day effectively through informed choices supported clearly by modern dentistry tools available widely across clinics nationwide reliably now more than ever before confidently.
Specialised Treatments Offered by Orthodontists
Orthodontists offer specialised orthodontic services beyond general dentistry. They focus mainly on teeth alignment, bite correction, and jaw positioning to improve your dental health.
- Orthodontists treat malocclusion—problems with crowded teeth or jaw misalignment—using braces made from metal or ceramic.
- Lingual braces are also widely available; these braces attach discreetly behind your teeth for less visibility.
- Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, provide a cosmetic dentistry solution for straightening teeth without traditional brackets or wires.
- Retainers help maintain straight teeth after orthodontic treatment to prevent tooth crowding from recurring.
- Dental specialists often use spacers before placing fixed dental appliances to create enough room between tightly positioned teeth.
- Orthodontic specialists supervise facial growth in children and teens using devices like headgear to guide jawbones into the proper position.
- Orthodontists develop a careful orthodontic treatment plan that may involve oral surgery to correct significant dental or facial issues affecting oral health.
- During an orthodontic residency (lasting two to three years after completing dental school), future specialists receive hands-on training in advanced orthodontic care methods.
- An orthodontist must pass a rigorous certification test following their residency programme before practising professionally in the UAE.
- Orthodontists address breathing difficulties related to mouth breathing by realigning jaws and opening airway passages through dentofacial orthopaedics procedures.
- Specialised practices tackle complex problems such as severe tooth misalignment that general dentists cannot fully correct with simple tooth extraction or root canals alone.
When to See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist
Knowing exactly which dental specialist to visit helps achieve timely, effective treatment—here’s a simple guide for UAE patients:
| When to Visit a Dentist | When to Visit an Orthodontist |
| Regular dental check-ups every 6 months | Child has jaw shifting or unusual jaw sounds |
| Toothaches, cavities or sensitive teeth | Mouth breathing habits in children |
| Routine teeth cleaning and scaling | Difficulty in chewing, biting or speech issues |
| Gum health assessment and gum disease treatment | Late or early loss of baby teeth |
| Initial assessment of overall oral health | Teeth not lining up correctly when child bites |
| Dental hygiene guidance and preventive care | Frequently biting cheeks or roof of mouth |
| Whitening treatments and cosmetic improvements | Grinding or clenching the teeth regularly |
| Referral necessary for certain orthodontic treatments covered by insurance | Facial imbalance or noticeable misalignment |
| – | AAO recommends first orthodontic visit no later than age 7 |
| – | Adult patients can directly consult a specialist for misaligned jaws or crowded teeth |
| – | No dentist referral required to book a child’s orthodontic appointment |
Conclusion
Clear knowledge of dental roles helps you choose the right oral care provider. Dentists tackle tooth decay, gum disease and general dentistry issues—keeping your smile healthy every day.
Orthodontists are certified experts who solve teeth alignment and bite problems like crowded teeth or mouth breathing concerns. Ask your dentist for a referral to an orthodontic specialist if straightening teeth or correcting jaws is your goal.
Understanding these differences means better decisions for lasting dental health in the UAE.
FAQs for Dentists Vs. Orthodontists
Dr. Aisha Rahman is a board-certified internal medicine specialist with over 12 years of clinical experience in chronic disease management and preventive healthcare. She has worked at leading hospitals across the UAE, helping patients manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
A strong advocate for preventive medicine, Dr. Rahman emphasizes early diagnosis, lifestyle modifications, and patient education to reduce chronic illness risks. She is an active member of the Emirates Medical Association and has contributed to health awareness programs and medical research initiatives. Her expertise has been featured in The National UAE, Gulf Health Magazine, and leading medical journals. As a keynote speaker at healthcare conferences, she shares insights on evidence-based treatments, patient-centered care, and advancements in internal medicine.
Dr. Omar Al-Farsi is a clinical nutritionist and medical researcher with over 15 years of experience in dietary science, metabolic disorders, and preventive healthcare. He has served as a senior consultant for UAE healthcare authorities and contributed to public health initiatives focused on nutrition education and disease prevention.
Dr. Al-Farsi has collaborated with leading hospitals, research institutions, and universities in the UAE, ensuring that health information is scientifically accurate and evidence-based. His research has been published in Gulf Medical Journal, Dubai Health Review, and WHO Nutrition Reports, making significant contributions to nutrition science and public health awareness.