Why Choose an Orthodontist
Orthodontists complete years of advanced specialty training beyond dental school, so they can treat the full range of conditions affecting your teeth, bite, and facial development.
3 Reasons to Choose a Specialist for Your Orthodontic Care
Specialized Training
Orthodontists complete dental school and then go on to an accredited orthodontic residency, typically two to three years of full-time, specialty-focused training.
That residency covers far more than braces and aligners. Orthodontists are trained to treat the full spectrum of conditions that affect the teeth, jaws, and face, including complex malocclusions, growth modification in developing patients, orthognathic (jaw) surgery in coordination with oral surgeons, and care for patients with craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip and palate. That breadth of training is what separates an orthodontic specialist from a general dentist offering orthodontic services on the side.
Education Timeline:
4 years dental school + 2-3 years accredited orthodontic residency = Orthodontic specialist
100% Orthodontic Focus
Orthodontists dedicate 100% of their practice to orthodontics, it's not a side service. Their entire focus is on helping patients achieve healthier smiles and better function through proper teeth alignment and bite correction.
Full Dedication:
When orthodontics is all you do, you get very good at it.
Expert Diagnosis & Treatment
Orthodontists are trained to identify, prevent, and treat a wide range of bite problems and dental irregularities, many of which go undetected without a specialist's eye. Their training allows them to develop treatment plans that account for not just where the teeth are today, but how the bite and face are developing over time, and what the outcome should look like years from now.
Comprehensive Care:
From early evaluation through retention, one specialty, from start to finish.
The Orthodontist Advantage
Orthodontist Specialist
CAO Member Orthodontists: Your Assurance of Excellence
California Association of Orthodontists members represent the highest standards of orthodontic care in the state.
Advanced Training
Rigorous education beyond dental school
Professional Standards
Adherence to strict ethical guidelines
Continuing Education
Ongoing learning and skill development
Proven Results
Early Orthodontic Care for Children
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7 to evaluate early dental development and identify potential concerns. Early orthodontic care can help address common childhood issues such as crowding, deep bites, open bites, crossbites, large or reverse overjets, expansion needs, and blocked-out or missing teeth. Parents should also watch for habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing, which can affect how the jaws and teeth develop. Identifying these concerns early allows for timely treatment and can guide proper growth and development of your child’s smile.
Working Together with Your Family Dentist
Ready for Expert Orthodontic Care?
Specialty training matters. Find a CAO orthodontist who has spent years focused on exactly this, and who can give you a complete picture of your treatment options from the start.