Skip to content
Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube
  • 405.321.1926
  • Payment Calculator
  • Make A Payment
Free Consult
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Craig
    • Meet Dr. Streight
    • Meet Dr. Kierl
    • Meet The Team
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Office Tour
    • Community Involvement
  • Braces
    • Types of Braces
    • Braces for Kids
    • Braces for Teens
    • Braces for Adults
    • Braces FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Invisalign
    • What Is Invisalign?
    • Invisalign for Kids
    • Invisalign for Teens
    • Invisalign for Adults
    • Invisalign FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?
    • Choosing An Orthodontist
    • Financial Information
    • Jaw Surgery
    • Office Policies
    • New Patient Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Craig
    • Meet Dr. Streight
    • Meet Dr. Kierl
    • Meet The Team
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Office Tour
    • Community Involvement
  • Braces
    • Types of Braces
    • Braces for Kids
    • Braces for Teens
    • Braces for Adults
    • Braces FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Invisalign
    • What Is Invisalign?
    • Invisalign for Kids
    • Invisalign for Teens
    • Invisalign for Adults
    • Invisalign FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?
    • Choosing An Orthodontist
    • Financial Information
    • Jaw Surgery
    • Office Policies
    • New Patient Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Craig
    • Meet Dr. Streight
    • Meet Dr. Kierl
    • Meet The Team
    • Patient Testimonials
    • Office Tour
    • Community Involvement
  • Braces
    • Types of Braces
    • Braces for Kids
    • Braces for Teens
    • Braces for Adults
    • Braces FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Invisalign
    • What Is Invisalign?
    • Invisalign for Kids
    • Invisalign for Teens
    • Invisalign for Adults
    • Invisalign FAQ
    • Payment Calculator
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?
    • Choosing An Orthodontist
    • Financial Information
    • Jaw Surgery
    • Office Policies
    • New Patient Portal
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Make A Payment
Free Consult

Orthodontist or Dentist? How to Know Which One You Need For Your Dental Issues

Home » Blog » Orthodontist or Dentist? How to Know Which One You Need For Your Dental Issues

Are you in Oklahoma City, unsure if you need an orthodontist or dentist for your mouth issues?

You’re probably familiar with the basic services of a dentist, like cleanings, fillings, and crowns. Have you considered who might take care of more specific problems, like crooked teeth?

You might be surprised that over 4 million Americans wear braces, and a million of these are adults. When a dentist notices certain dental problems that are outside their general area of expertise, they will refer the patient to a specialist.

Even without a referral, some patients may contact a dental expert like an orthodontist because they are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth, and their dentist can’t fix it.

We’re going to compare the two professions, so you know who you need and when. Read on!

Orthodontist or Dentist?

Both orthodontists and dentists offer dental solutions for issues with your mouth, and there is some overlap between the services they offer. That’s because they both start with the same training and education.

First, they complete four years of undergraduate education at college for a pre-dentistry/medical degree. Next, there are another four years at a graduate school of dentistry. A series of qualification exams follow, notably the National Dental Exam, before they receive their clinical practice license.

If successful, the graduate will now become a dentist, either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).

The path deviates here, and a general dentist will likely choose to immediately enter practice, while an orthodontist (or other dental specialists) will continue their education. The continued certification includes a 2-3 year residency and many thousands of hours of training in orthodontics.

After residency, there are additional certification tests that they need to pass before an orthodontist is qualified to practice orthodontics.

What Is a Dentist?

Dentists are oral health specialists who carry out a range of care services. They are doctors that promote good oral hygiene and disease prevention while diagnosing diseases in the mouth when they do arise.

A dentist will create a treatment plan for their patients to restore optimum oral health. In the course of their work, they need the ability to interpret an x-ray. They will perform diagnostic tests to get an accurate picture of what’s going on in your mouth.

They will often perform surgery on a tooth or surrounding tissue and bone, so they are trained to use anesthesia safely. A dentist will also keep an eye on your teeth and jaw and track them as they develop over time.

A dentist will usually be in charge of a team that includes assistants and hygienists. Some procedures that a dentist might perform are dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and extractions.

What Is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontics is a dental specialism that focused on correcting the position of teeth and the jaw when they are out of alignment. Patients tend to visit an orthodontist for a specific treatment and usually only visit them until the treatment plan is complete.

In practice, an Orthodontist will straighten crooked and misaligned teeth. They can also help correct teeth that do not fit together correctly due to problems with the bite. Bite issues that may lead your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist include:

  • Overbite (upper teeth protrude over lower teeth)
  • Underbite (lower teeth protrude under upper teeth)
  • Crossbite (upper teeth don’t meet lower teeth correctly)
  • Open bite (spaces in the biting surfaces when teeth meet)
  • Deep bite (front teeth cover bottom teeth when the mouth is closed)
  • Crowding (overlapping/rotated teeth due to lack of space)
  • Spacing (large gaps between teeth for various reasons)

Why Visit a Dentist?

A dentist is similar to a doctor in that you tend to visit them regularly throughout a lifetime for general wellness check-ups. You also see a dentist to address specific problems in your mouth.

When a condition is outside the realm of the expertise of a general dentist, they will make a referral. This referral might be to a specialist like an oral surgeon or an orthodontist.

The reasons for a regular dental visit are plentiful. For one thing, routine check-ups can discover cavities in their early stages. Quick treatment of a cavity means that it is less like to progress into a more serious tooth issue.

They can also identify gum disease, even though you might be unaware that you have it. At your regular exam and cleaning, the dentist will usually check for signs of oral cancer as well as ensuring that all your fillings are healthy and intact.

Oral health is linked to your general physical health, so visiting a dentist is important in the prevention of other diseases that could be indirectly triggered.

Why Visit an Orthodontist?

Among other things, you might visit an orthodontist in OKC for braces and retainers. Teeth that aren’t correctly aligned are a challenge to clean, so face a higher risk for disease and decay.

Misaligned teeth can also put an increased strain on the muscles involved in chewing food. This can, in turn, cause headaches as well as pain radiating elsewhere in the body.

Temporomandibular (TMJ) pain and disorders may follow from bite problems. The TMJ acts like a sliding hinge and connects the skull to the jawbone. The corrective treatment plan prescribed by your orthodontist can remedy the conditions above.

An orthodontist will use a variety of fixed and/or removable appliances to help relocate the teeth over time, recondition muscles, and influence jaw development. Fixed appliances tend to get better results faster, but removable appliances are popular choices for patients who prefer not to have metal wires and brackets visible.

Whether you choose metal, ceramic, or Invisalign, an OKC orthodontist has all types of braces and aligners to fit your lifestyle or preference.

Perfect Alignment

We’ve covered the main reasons you’d need either an orthodontist or dentist. Don’t let crooked teeth and jaw pain dominate your life. An orthodontic treatment plan can have you pain-free and smiling again.

If you’re a family in need of an Oklahoma City orthodontist or a referral dentist, we can help you. We are an orthodontic practice, providing comprehensive care for kids, teens, and adults.

Contact us today to schedule a digital consultation.

Schedule a
free consult today
Free Consult

Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Ladan M.
We had a great experience. Professional and caring personnel and super amazing Dr. Straight made it an easy choice to work with.
Kelly P.
Just started my fourth kid in treatment today. No where else we would go…from the front desk gals, fresh coffee for this tired momma, the hygienist, the dentists…it’s always been a great experience. Wonderful staff making amazing smiles!!!
Artoya
Staff and the doctor were very friendly and they explained everything in detail.
David B.
Took my twin girls in for braces today and we had an amazing experience. The entire staff went out of their way to answer all of our questions and they were so sweet with the girls. The girls left with new braces and big smiles and I left with confidence in my desicion. I highly recommend them!
Melissa M.
We love Craig & Streight! They have always been so friendly and helpful!
Chuck K.
I've had nothing but the best-ever experience at CSO; from check-in to the clinics, the staff is all one one page, professional and SO very friendly. They're living the corporate ethos, and it shows! If you need orthodontics, it's CSO for me from now on!
Tiffany R.
The greatest staff and doctors! They made a challenging situation so much easier. Huge hearts, professional and went above and beyond. I’m so appreciative.
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to make a challenging situation more manageable for you. Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care, and it's heartwarming to know their efforts made a positive impact. We truly appreciate your kind words!
Vielje G.
Love the service, staffs are very friendly and approachable and always on point with their work.
Response from the owner:Hey Vielje. Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Providing friendly and attentive service is what we strive for, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the great work!
Kari C.
This is our second child receiving braces at Craig & Streight and we could not be happier. The staff is kind, efficient, and happy to answer all of our questions.
Response from the owner:Hi Kari. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family are so pleased with the care your children are receiving. Our team is dedicated to providing a supportive and informative environment, and it’s great to know that their efforts are making a positive impact. We appreciate your trust in us!
Michael T.
Everyone at the Mustang location is amazing... They are always polite and know exactly what they are supposed to do... Very professional... I have and will continue to refer people to use Craig and Streight Orthodontics...
Response from the owner:Hi Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our Mustang team has made such a positive impression on you. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to maintaining the high standards of professionalism and care that you’ve experienced. We appreciate your support!
Lacey C.
Friendly, explained everything well, felt very comfortable there. Had great games for the kids while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Lacey. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and that our team took the time to explain everything. It's great to know the kids enjoyed the games while waiting. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again!
Sherree M.
We always have a good experience at Craig & Streight. The staff is always friendly and helpful. They make my son at ease and he loves to earn "punches" so he can get a prize after so many visits.
Response from the owner:Hi Sherree. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted to hear that our team has made your visits enjoyable and that your son is having fun earning his prizes. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuing to provide a positive environment for you and your family!
Q E
Goodbye, braces! I have finally completed my treatment! I want to thank all the staff members, especially Francis, who was exceptionally kind and went above and beyond to help me. I have hearing loss in one ear, and she was able to understand me perfectly. She is truly an amazing person.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear about your successful treatment and the positive impact our team, especially Francis, had on your journey. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. Wishing you all the best as you embrace your new smile!
Christina C.
Friendly staff. They answered all of our questions and put my daughter at ease to start her braces journey.
Response from the owner:Hi Christina. Thank you! We are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with our orthodontic practice!
JoAnn T.
Wow!! This place is so friendly! Makayla was so informative and friendly.
Response from the owner:Hi Joann. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience and that Makayla made a great impression. Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment, and it’s fantastic to know we’re hitting the mark. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Our Practice
  • Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Patient Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Our Practice
  • Braces
  • Invisalign
  • Patient Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Locations

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

405.321.1926

Free Consult
© 2025 Craig & Streight orthodontics | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

Marketing & Web Design by HIP Creative