Most people see their dentist twice a year and think of that relationship as their home base for everything related to their mouth. That is a good instinct for most things. But when it comes to braces, Invisalign, bite correction, or jaw alignment, your dentist is likely to refer you to someone with a different and more specific set of qualifications.
Understanding what the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist actually is helps you make better decisions about your own care and your family’s. Smiles By Design Orthodontics serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast including patients from Picayune, D’Iberville, Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, and surrounding communities. This guide explains what separates the two disciplines and when each one is the right choice.
Both Start With Dental School. That is Where the Paths Split.
Both dentists and orthodontists earn a dental degree: either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). At that stage, they are equally qualified to practice general dentistry. The difference is what comes next.An orthodontist chooses to continue into a residency program specifically focused on orthodontics, which takes an additional two to three years of full-time specialist training beyond dental school. During that residency, orthodontists study tooth movement mechanics, jaw development and growth, bite correction, facial orthopedics, and the management of complex orthodontic cases. Only those who complete this accredited residency are legally permitted to call themselves orthodontists.
The difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is therefore not about one being more skilled than the other in general terms. It is about specialization. A dentist is trained to manage oral health across a wide range of areas: cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum disease, and more. An orthodontist is trained to do one specific thing very well: correct the alignment of teeth and the relationship between the jaws.
What Does a General Dentist Do?
Your general dentist is responsible for the overall health of your mouth. The scope of a dentist’s practice typically includes:
- Preventive care: regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral health exams to catch problems early
- Restorative dentistry: fillings, crowns, bridges, and dental implants to repair or replace damaged teeth
- Cosmetic dentistry: whitening, veneers, bonding, and aesthetic improvements to the appearance of the smile
- Gum disease treatment: scaling, root planing, and periodontal management
- Extractions: removing teeth that cannot be saved or that need to come out for other reasons
- X-rays and diagnostics: monitoring the health of the teeth, roots, and supporting bone over time
Many general dentists also offer some orthodontic services, such as Invisalign aligner therapy, as part of their general practice. This is legal and sometimes appropriate for very mild cases. However, dentists who offer aligners as a side service have not completed the specialist training that an orthodontist brings to every case.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist focuses specifically on the alignment of teeth and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. The orthodontic treatments available at a specialist practice cover a much broader and more clinically rigorous range than what most general dentists offer.
- Braces: metal, ceramic, and self-ligating bracket systems for comprehensive tooth and bite correction
- Clear aligners: Invisalign and other aligner systems for mild to complex tooth movement
- Bite correction: treatment of overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites
- Early treatment: interceptive orthodontics for children to guide jaw development and prevent future problems
- Jaw alignment: correction of skeletal discrepancies through growth guidance or, in adults, combined orthodontic and surgical approaches
- Retainers: maintaining the results of treatment permanently after active treatment ends
At Smiles By Design Orthodontics, Dr. Austin Rahaim completed his Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Science at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center after earning his DMD from Nova Southeastern University. That specialist training is what separates the depth of care at Smiles By Design from what a general dentist offering braces as an additional service can provide.
The Training Difference: Side by Side
| Training Stage | General Dentist | Orthodontist |
| Undergraduate degree | Required | Required |
| Dental school (DDS or DMD) | 4 years | 4 years |
| Orthodontic residency | Not completed | 2 to 3 additional years |
| Specialist designation | General practitioner | Board-certified orthodontist |
| Focus of practice | Full oral health | Tooth and jaw alignment only |
| Can offer braces legally | Yes, in most states | Yes, with specialist training |
| Deep expertise in bite mechanics | Limited | Core competency |
Board certification: Not all orthodontists are board-certified. Earning board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics requires passing a separate clinical examination after residency. Dr. Rahaim is a board-certified orthodontist, which represents an additional commitment to clinical excellence beyond the residency requirement.
When Should You See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist?
The simplest way to think about it: see your dentist for the health of your teeth, and see an orthodontist for the alignment of your teeth.
| See Your Dentist When… | See an Orthodontist When… |
| You need a cleaning or checkup | You want braces or Invisalign |
| You have a cavity or broken tooth | Your teeth are crowded or spaced |
| Your gums are sensitive or bleeding | Your bite does not feel right |
| You need a crown, bridge, or implant | Your child has a developing jaw or bite concern |
| You want tooth whitening or veneers | You grind your teeth or have jaw pain |
| You have a dental emergency | You had braces and your teeth have shifted |
In practice, your dentist is often the person who identifies that you need orthodontic treatment and refers you to an orthodontist. A dentist who notices crowding, a bite problem, or a developing jaw issue in a child will typically refer the patient to a specialist rather than treat it in-house. That referral pathway is how the two professions are designed to work together.
Can a Dentist Do Braces or Invisalign?
Legally, yes. General dentists in Mississippi and most other states are permitted to offer orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign aligner therapy. Some do this well for straightforward cosmetic cases with mild crowding. The important question to ask is not whether they can do it, but whether their training is appropriate for the complexity of your specific case.For mild cosmetic alignment with no significant bite issues, a general dentist with Invisalign certification may be adequate.
For anything involving a bite correction, jaw alignment, significant crowding, growing children, or complex tooth movement, a specialist orthodontist brings a depth of diagnostic and clinical training that a general dentist simply does not have. The modern orthodontic treatments guide on the Smiles By Design blog explains the full range of treatment options available from a specialist practice and what each is designed to correct.
Why It Matters for Picayune, MS Patients
Orthodontists in Picayune, MS are not as numerous as general dental practices, which means Picayune residents sometimes consider having their general dentist handle orthodontic treatment rather than making the drive to a specialist. That is a reasonable consideration for the most straightforward cosmetic cases. For anything more complex, however, the additional expertise of a specialist orthodontist produces better results, fewer complications, and outcomes that are more stable over time.
Smiles By Design Orthodontics serves Picayune patients from its D’Iberville and Bay St. Louis offices, both within a practical drive from Picayune via US-11 or I-59. The Bay St. Louis office at 101 Reese Street is the most convenient location for most Picayune patients. Complimentary consultations are available with no referral required. The oral health and orthodontics blog post covers why specialist orthodontic treatment also contributes to long-term oral health beyond the cosmetic outcome.
The Relationship Between Dentists and Orthodontists in Mississippi
Your general dentist and your orthodontist are meant to work as a team. Smiles By Design Orthodontics has a dedicated dentist referral pathway for Mississippi dentists who want to refer patients for specialist orthodontic evaluation. Patients typically maintain their regular dental appointments throughout orthodontic treatment, since keeping the teeth clean and healthy during braces or aligner therapy is essential to a good final result.
If your dentist has recommended an orthodontic evaluation, or if you or your child has crowding, bite concerns, or jaw development issues, a specialist consultation is the right next step. The full range of treatments at Smiles By Design covers every orthodontic option available, from traditional braces to Invisalign, for children, teens, and adults.
D’Iberville Office: 3149 Mallett Road, D’Iberville, MS 39540 | (228) 400-2100
Bay St. Louis Office: 101 Reese St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 | (228) 467-2211
Schedule Your Free Consultation at Smiles By Design Orthodontics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
The difference between a dentist and an orthodontist is specialization. Both complete dental school and earn a DDS or DMD. An orthodontist then completes an additional two to three year accredited residency specifically in orthodontics, covering tooth movement mechanics, bite correction, jaw development, and facial orthopedics. Orthodontists use this training exclusively to correct tooth and jaw alignment. Dentists use their training across a broad range of oral health needs.
Can my dentist do my braces instead of an orthodontist?
Your dentist is legally permitted to offer braces or Invisalign in Mississippi. For very mild cosmetic alignment cases, this may be appropriate. For bite corrections, complex crowding, jaw alignment, children’s developing smiles, or anything beyond straightforward cosmetic tooth movement, a specialist orthodontist has the training and clinical volume to produce better outcomes. Braces at Smiles By Design are provided exclusively by Dr. Rahaim, a board-certified orthodontic specialist.
Do I need a dentist referral to see an orthodontist in Picayune, MS?
No referral is needed to book a consultation at Smiles By Design Orthodontics. Patients from Picayune and across the Gulf Coast can schedule a complimentary consultation directly. However, many patients are referred by their dentist, which is also entirely welcome. Orthodontists in Picayune, MS at Smiles By Design serve patients from the Bay St. Louis and D’Iberville offices, both accessible from Picayune.
Is Invisalign better done by a dentist or an orthodontist?
Invisalign treatment planned and supervised by a specialist orthodontist benefits from the same depth of clinical expertise that orthodontists bring to braces treatment. A dentist certified in Invisalign can handle mild cases, but a specialist orthodontist manages the full range of case complexity with a higher level of diagnostic precision. Invisalign at Smiles By Design is supervised by Dr. Rahaim throughout every stage of treatment.
How do I find an orthodontist near Picayune, MS?
Smiles By Design Orthodontics serves Picayune, MS patients from its Bay St. Louis office at 101 Reese Street, approximately 30 to 40 minutes from Picayune via US-90 or I-10. Complimentary consultations are available with no obligation. Call (228) 467-2211 to book or schedule online.