Patient Education
ClearAligners:OrthodontistvsDentist,What'stheDifference?
Written by Dr. Thao Vu
Reviewed by Dr. Judy Nguyen
·October 28, 2026
Both dentists and orthodontists can offer clear aligners. Here is how their training differs and what that means for your aligner plan, from Bloom's board-certified orthodontists.
Both general dentists and orthodontists can offer clear aligners, and the difference is training. An orthodontist completes an additional 24 to 36 months of full-time specialty education after dental school, focused on how teeth move and how the jaws fit together.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) puts it plainly: a dentist may be able to provide braces or aligners, but that does not make the dentist an orthodontist. This guide explains what that training changes for an aligner patient.
What Each Professional Focuses On
| General dentist | Orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Overall oral health: cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions | Bite and tooth alignment |
| Training after dental school | None required to offer aligners | An accredited orthodontic residency, which the AAO puts at 3,700 hours |
| Typical aligner role | May offer aligners alongside general care | Plans and supervises tooth movement as the core of the practice |
Your dentist stays important during aligner treatment. The AAO says to see your family dentist for a cleaning and checkup before you get aligners, and any dental work should be finished before you are scanned, since the aligners are made to the exact shape of your teeth.
Why Training Matters With Aligners
Aligners look simple. The plan behind them carries the weight. The AAO explains that before clear aligner therapy starts, your doctor checks your teeth and jaws using X-rays, photos, and digital scans, makes a diagnosis, and then sets which tooth moves where and in what order. It calls moving teeth a complex biological process that needs start-to-finish supervision by an orthodontist.
Training shows up in a few practical places:
- Case selection. The AAO notes aligners may not work as predictably for severe bite problems, large rotations, or big gaps. Knowing when braces will do better is part of an orthodontist's job.
- Bite correction. Aligner plans should move all the teeth into a healthy bite, beyond the few you see when you smile.
- Mid-course changes. If teeth fall behind the plan, an orthodontist adjusts it with attachments, elastics, or refinement aligners.
How to Check Who Is Treating You
Ask directly whether the doctor is an orthodontist. The AAO admits only orthodontic specialists as members, and its Find an Orthodontist directory lists them, according to the AAO payment and insurance FAQs. The AAO also notes that an insurance company listing someone as an orthodontic provider does not guarantee that person is an orthodontist.
Clear Aligners at Bloom
Every aligner case at Bloom is planned and supervised by one of our board-certified orthodontists, Dr. Thao Nguyen Vu or Dr. Judy Nguyen, at our Long Beach and Garden Grove offices. The free consultation includes X-rays, records, and a treatment simulation, so you see the planned movement before you commit. If braces would give you a more predictable result, we tell you at that visit.
See how we approach aligner treatment on our clear aligners page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dentist do clear aligners?
Many general dentists can offer aligners. The AAO notes that offering aligners does not make a dentist an orthodontist, since orthodontists complete an extra 24 to 36 months of specialty training.
Is it better to get aligners from an orthodontist?
An orthodontist's training centers on tooth movement and the bite, which helps with case selection and with changes during treatment. The AAO recommends start-to-finish supervision by an orthodontist.
Do I still need my dentist during aligner treatment?
Yes. Keep up regular cleanings and checkups. The AAO says dental work should be finished before your aligner scan.
How do I know if a provider is an orthodontist?
Ask the office, and check the AAO's Find an Orthodontist directory, which lists only orthodontic specialists.
Sources
- American Association of Orthodontists, Orthodontist vs. Dentist
- American Association of Orthodontists, Clear Aligner Therapy
- American Association of Orthodontists, Aligners
- American Association of Orthodontists, Payment and Insurance FAQs
- Bloom details: Clear aligners, Orthodontist vs dentist
Want an orthodontist's plan for your aligners? Book a free consultation in Long Beach or Garden Grove.
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