Choosing who straightens your teeth matters more than most people realize. At our practice, we hear this question often from new Solana family members: what’s the difference between a board-certified orthodontist and a dentist who does braces? The short answer is training, focus, and verified expertise. Here’s what those differences mean for your radiant smile and for the long-term health of your bite.
What Is a Board-Certified Orthodontist?
A board-certified orthodontist is a dentist who finished 2-3 years of full-time orthodontic specialty residency after dental school, then passed certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). A general dentist who offers braces holds a dental license but has not completed a specialty residency in orthodontics.
Board certification through the ABO is voluntary. Not every orthodontist pursues it. According to the American Board of Orthodontics, only a minority of practicing orthodontists in the United States hold active board certification, because the process demands written exams, clinical case presentations, and ongoing recertification. It’s the orthodontic profession’s way of saying a doctor has gone above and beyond the baseline that licensure requires.
Dr. Sandra Nairooz, DDS, MSD, is a board-certified orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. That credential signals a deeper level of specialty training, clinical judgment, and accountability than a general dental license alone can offer.
How Becoming a Board-Certified Orthodontist Works
Becoming a board-certified orthodontist takes roughly a decade of training and verification after college. It’s a four-step process built on dental school, residency, examinations, and ongoing recertification.
Here’s how the path looks:
- Complete dental school. Earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited program. This typically takes four years.
- Finish an accredited orthodontic residency. Complete 2-3 years of full-time, hands-on specialty training in tooth movement, jaw growth, bite correction, and facial development. Only graduates of accredited residencies can call themselves orthodontists.
- Pass the American Board of Orthodontics exams. Sit for the written board exam, then defend real patient cases in a clinical examination judged by senior orthodontists. Passing earns the title Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
- Recertify every 10 years. Submit new cases, document continuing education, and prove ongoing clinical excellence to maintain board status.
A general dentist who offers braces takes a different route. After dental school, they may attend weekend seminars or short continuing-education courses on clear aligners or limited braces. These courses can be valuable, but they don’t replace a multi-year residency or board examination in any meaningful way.
Benefits of Choosing a Board-Certified Orthodontist
When you pick a board-certified orthodontist, you’re selecting someone whose entire clinical life revolves around tooth movement, bite mechanics, and facial growth. That focus shows up in your results.
Why does specialty training matter for my treatment?
Years of residency train an orthodontist in how teeth, jaws, and the airway work together, not just how to bond brackets. Board certification adds another layer, because it requires defending real cases and recertifying every decade. Key benefits include:
- Specialty-level expertise. Deep residency training in the way teeth, jaws, and the airway function as one system.
- Verified focus on quality. Board certification means defending real cases and recertifying every ten years.
- Stronger handling of complex cases. Severe crowding, deep bites, crossbites, impacted teeth, and growth-related issues need a specialist’s eye.
How does a specialist handle complicated cases differently?
A specialist’s training pays off most when a case has moving parts beyond simple alignment. That deeper background translates into more accurate records, sharper diagnosis, and outcomes you can count on. Additional benefits include:
- Early interceptive treatment for young patients. Specialists are trained to spot and time treatment for young patients whose jaws are still developing.
- Full menu of treatment options. Invisalign, ceramic braces, lingual (hidden) braces behind the teeth, and traditional metal braces, all under one roof.
- Sharper diagnosis and planning. Specialty training translates into more accurate records, 3D imaging interpretation, and predictable outcomes.
At our boutique-style practice, Dr. Sandra brings 10+ years of clinical experience along with her DDS, MSD, lecturing and teaching credentials, and active membership in the AAO, ADA, TDA, Texas Association of Orthodontists, and American Lingual Orthodontic Association.
Board-Certified Orthodontist vs. Dentist Who Does Braces
Both providers are licensed dental professionals, but their training and day-to-day focus are very different. The table below breaks down the main contrasts so you can decide what’s right for your orthodontic experience.
| Factor | Board-Certified Orthodontist | General Dentist Who Does Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Post-dental-school training | 2-3 year accredited orthodontic residency | Weekend or short continuing-education courses |
| Board examinations | Written + clinical exams through the American Board of Orthodontics | None required beyond dental licensure |
| Daily clinical focus | Orthodontics exclusively (tooth movement, bites, jaws, airway) | General dentistry (cleanings, fillings, crowns) plus occasional braces |
| Case complexity handled | Mild to severe malocclusion, jaw discrepancies, surgical-orthodontic cases | Typically mild alignment cases only |
| Treatment options offered | Full range: metal, ceramic, lingual, Invisalign, expanders, interceptive care | Often limited to clear aligners or basic braces |
| Recertification | Required every 10 years to maintain board status | Standard dental CE only |
| Best suited for | Bite correction, jaw alignment, young patients, TMJ, airway concerns | Simple cosmetic touch-ups in adults |
If your case is straightforward and purely cosmetic, a general dentist may be able to help. If your bite, jaw, or your child’s developing smile is part of the picture, a specialist is the safer call by a wide margin.
Does Board Certification Affect the Cost of Braces?
No. Board certification itself doesn’t dramatically change the price of braces. Cost is driven mostly by case complexity, treatment length, and the appliance you choose (metal, ceramic, lingual, or Invisalign). A simple case treated by a specialist can be very comparable in price to one treated by a general dentist, so the credential is rarely the deciding factor on your bill.
Where board certification adds real value is in accuracy. A specialist’s diagnosis often prevents costly do-overs caused by misread X-rays, missed bite issues, or incomplete treatment plans. Efficient, well-planned care can mean fewer surprise extensions, fewer broken brackets, and a healthier finish that holds up over the years. That careful planning protects both your time and your wallet.
Both orthodontists and general dentists typically offer payment options and can bill dental insurance. At our practice, we build a financial plan that fits each Solana family member, because boutique doesn’t mean more expensive, it means more attention to you.
How to Know If You Should See a Board-Certified Orthodontist
A board-certified orthodontist is the right call any time the case involves more than surface-level alignment. If you’re not sure where your situation falls, a complimentary consultation is the easiest way to find out for certain.
See a board-certified orthodontist if you or your child have:
- Complex bite issues, severe crowding, spacing, or rotated teeth
- A child between ages 6 and 9 who needs an early interceptive evaluation (the AAO recommends a first orthodontic visit by age 7)
- TMJ or TMD symptoms like jaw clicking, popping, or chronic headaches
- Suspected airway concerns, mouth breathing, or sleep-disordered breathing
- Interest in Invisalign, ceramic, or lingual (hidden) braces
- A prior orthodontic case that didn’t hold or needs refinement
You can verify any orthodontist’s certification status directly at ABOrtho.org. We’re an open book about credentials, and Dr. Sandra’s Diplomate status is easy to confirm in just a couple of minutes. Ready to talk it through in person? Book your complimentary consultation and we’ll help you find your radiance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every orthodontist board-certified?
No. Board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics is voluntary. Every orthodontist must complete an accredited residency, but only those who choose to submit cases, pass written and clinical exams, and recertify every 10 years earn the Diplomate title. It’s an extra step that signals a higher standard of accountability.
Can a general dentist legally do braces?
Yes. A licensed dentist can legally offer braces or clear aligners in most states without specialty training. The real gap is education, not legality. A general dentist learns braces through short courses, while an orthodontist completes 2-3 years of full-time residency focused only on tooth and jaw movement.
How do I check if my orthodontist is board-certified?
Visit ABOrtho.org, the official site of the American Board of Orthodontics, and use the “Find a Diplomate” search tool. You can also ask your provider directly. A board-certified orthodontist will gladly share their certification details, residency program, and association memberships.
Is an orthodontist better than a dentist for braces?
For most cases involving bite correction, jaw growth, young patients, or complex tooth movement, yes. Orthodontists have years of specialty residency devoted entirely to these issues. For very minor cosmetic alignment in adults, a general dentist may be appropriate, but a specialist’s diagnosis is still a smart starting point.
Does board certification guarantee better results?
No credential guarantees a specific outcome, but board certification reflects verified training, peer-reviewed clinical judgment, and a commitment to ongoing learning. It significantly raises the floor of what you can expect from your provider and your radiant smile.