Orthodontists vs dentists for Invisalign treatment
Updated: Sep 29
You have probably noticed that your dentist now offers Invisalign, maybe they even mentioned it at your last cleaning. It is wonderful to have that option, and it might leave you wondering: why would I go to an orthodontist when my dentist can do it right here? That is such a good question, and we love when patients ask it. Your dentist is not doing anything wrong by offering Invisalign. Orthodontics is a recognized dental specialty, while general dentistry follows a different path of training, and understanding that difference can help you feel confident in whatever choice you make for your smile.
What Your Dentist Does Well
General dentists are a wonderful, essential part of your healthcare team. They keep your teeth and gums healthy, catch cavities early, and handle everything from cleanings to crowns to cosmetic work. We deeply respect the dentists in our community, and we are grateful to work alongside them every day.
Dentistry and orthodontics are simply different disciplines, in the same way a cardiologist and your primary care doctor both matter enormously, each bringing their own depth of focus to your care.
Where Orthodontics Comes In
Orthodontists and dentists go through the same dental school training to start. From there, orthodontists continue for two to three more years of full-time residency, a program focused entirely on how teeth move through bone, how bites come together, and how jaws grow over time. Some orthodontists, including Dr. Solomon, spend a few years in general practice before pursuing that additional training, though the path looks a little different for everyone.
That residency includes thousands of hours of hands-on clinical training across every kind of case you can imagine, from straightforward spacing to more complex bite corrections.
Invisalign is a wonderful tool, but it does not plan your treatment on its own. Every case is custom-designed around your specific teeth, bite, and goals, planned by hand rather than generated by software. When something is not moving quite as planned, and sometimes that happens, our training is what catches it early and adjusts the plan. When a case involves something beyond cosmetic alignment, perhaps a bite issue contributing to jaw discomfort, that training helps us recognize it and address it thoughtfully. And if Invisalign is not the best fit for a particular case, we are able to recommend something that is.
Dentists can become certified to offer Invisalign after completing a training course, which covers the basics of the software. Orthodontic residency goes much further: years of focused, hands-on training in exactly how teeth and bites move, which is why the depth of experience behind your treatment makes a strong difference.
When the Difference Matters Most
For simple, straightforward cases, say, minor spacing or a slightly rotated tooth, a skilled dentist may handle Invisalign well, and that is okay.
From the outside, it is not always easy to know whether a case is straightforward or a little more complex. A crossbite that looks mild can sometimes affect jaw function. Crowding that seems purely cosmetic can be masking an underlying bite issue. And a case that starts out simple can become more involved if teeth respond differently than expected.
This is where a specialist's evaluation can bring real peace of mind. Specialist training is built around looking for potential complications before treatment even starts, so a plan can account for them from day one, especially for bite correction (overbite, underbite, crossbite), moderate to significant crowding, cases involving jaw discrepancies, relapse after previous orthodontic treatment, or any situation where it is not yet clear whether aligners are the best fit.
Three Questions to Ask Any Provider
If you are ever weighing where to start Invisalign or any orthodontic treatment, we think these three questions can help, whoever you choose to see:
What would treatment look like for my specific case, step by step?
A thoughtful provider will walk you through your personalized treatment path rather than a generic plan.
What happens if my teeth are not tracking as planned partway through treatment?
You deserve a provider who has a thoughtful next step ready, just in case.
If Invisalign is not the best option for my case, what would you recommend instead?
A provider who can offer more than one path is often able to tailor care more closely to what you actually need.
These are not meant to put anyone on the spot. They are important things to understand before starting treatment with any provider, dentist or orthodontist.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Smile
Every smile is different, and yours deserves care built specifically around you. If you are considering Invisalign or any kind of orthodontic treatment, we would love to take a look and give you an honest, thoughtful recommendation, even if that means telling you Invisalign is not quite the right fit for your case.
Our consultations are complimentary, unhurried, and never come with any pressure. We will show you exactly what we see, walk you through your options in plain language, and let the decision be entirely yours.
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