For children — especially those under 12, or anyone with a bite problem, jaw imbalance, or breathing concern — see an orthodontic specialist first. Here’s what the difference actually is, and why it matters more for kids than it does for adults.
What “orthodontic specialist” actually means
In Canada, an orthodontist is a dentist who completed an extra 2–3 years of full-time training in a specialized university program in orthodontics after dental school. Orthodontics is all they do. Their entire training is focused on teeth alignment, bite development, and jaw growth.
A general dentist completed dental school without that extra specialist training. Many general dentists offer orthodontic treatment — braces, Invisalign — and do it well. But their training in orthodontics was part of their overall dental education, not a dedicated multi-year program.
Drs. Jen, Dena & Wendy at Impact Orthodontics are certified specialists in orthodontics. Dr. Jen also holds hospital privileges — a credential that reflects the complexity of cases she manages, including children who have been through significant medical treatment and complex jaw and breathing cases. Orthodontics is the only thing these three female specialists do. If you want to know what to expect when you bring your child in, here’s exactly what happens at a first appointment.
For adults with simple cases, a general dentist can be fine
It’s worth being direct about this: if you’re an adult with mild crowding or a small gap — a case that’s straightforward to plan and fix — a general dentist with solid Invisalign training and experience can do the job well. Ask how many cases they’ve treated and how they handle complications. That conversation tells you a lot.
If you’re comparing providers more broadly, orthodontist vs. dentist for braces covers the general difference in more depth. This post focuses specifically on children, where the situation is different.
For children, the specialist difference matters more
Children’s orthodontics is different from adult alignment work in ways that are real, not just cosmetic.
Jaw growth assessment. An orthodontic specialist is trained to read special jaw X-rays and see how the upper and lower jaws are growing. This is what makes early treatment meaningful. Without it, you’re looking at teeth without understanding what the jaw is doing underneath.
Dr. Jen has had families come in after being told by a general dentist that their child “probably just needs braces when the adult teeth are in” — only to find the child had a developing underbite where the lower jaw was growing forward faster than the upper. That’s a time-sensitive finding. The window to fix it without surgery is tied to jaw growth. Catching it at 9 versus 17 changes the treatment completely. Does my child need Phase 1 orthodontic treatment? explains exactly how these timing decisions work.
Breathing and facial development. A narrow roof of the mouth means less room to breathe through the nose and often leads to mouth breathing and poor sleep. Dr. Jen checks for this connection at every child’s assessment — it’s not something every general dentist looks for. If a narrow jaw is part of the picture, a palate expander may be the right first step before braces are even on the table.
Complicated bite problems. Crossbites, underbites, deep overbites, and teeth that are stuck all do better with specialist care — especially in growing children where treatment involves guiding how the jaw grows, not just moving teeth around. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends a specialist screening by age 7 specifically to catch these kinds of developing problems early.
Who do you see first?
See the orthodontic specialist first for a consultation. The consultation is free at Impact Orthodontics for children under 20. You’re not committing to treatment — you’re getting an informed specialist opinion.
If the case is simple enough to be handled equally well by a general dentist, an orthodontist will tell you that. If it needs specialist care, you’ll know before you’ve started in the wrong place. And for children — where jaw growth timing, breathing health, and early treatment windows all matter — you want that specialist perspective as the starting point.
More on what that first assessment involves is on the children’s orthodontics page.
Questions to ask any provider
Whether you’re seeing a specialist or a general dentist offering orthodontic services:
- Are you a certified specialist in orthodontics?
- Do you take jaw X-rays and do a growth assessment for children?
- Do you check breathing as part of your assessment?
- How do you handle complicated cases — do you refer or manage in-house?
The answers tell you more than any marketing will. How do I know if my child needs braces? is also worth reading before your first appointment anywhere.
Book a free specialist assessment in Calgary
First consultations at Impact Orthodontics are free for children under 20. SE Calgary and SW Calgary locations. Book online or call either clinic directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an extra 2–3 years of specialist training in a university program focused entirely on teeth alignment, bite development, and jaw growth. A general dentist has broader training that covers all areas of dental care. For a full comparison of both options, orthodontist vs. dentist for braces covers this in depth.
Can a dentist do braces for children?
Many general dentists offer braces and Invisalign, and for simple adult cases they can do it well. For children — where jaw growth, bite development, and early treatment timing all matter — the training difference is more significant. Does my child need Phase 1 orthodontic treatment? explains one of the key reasons specialist training matters for kids.
How do I know if my child needs to see an orthodontist?
If your child is under 12, has a bite concern, or a dentist has flagged something — an orthodontic specialist is worth seeing. The consultation is free at Impact Orthodontics for children under 20. How do I know if my child needs braces? covers what an orthodontist looks for that a bathroom mirror can’t show you.
What happens at an orthodontic specialist consultation for a child?
It’s an hour-long assessment — a conversation, an exam, X-rays if needed, and a clear explanation of what Dr. Jen found. No treatment happens at that visit. What happens at a child’s first orthodontist appointment? walks through the full visit step by step.
Is it normal for children to have crooked teeth before seeing an orthodontist?
Yes — especially between ages 6 and 12 when baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are coming in. Some crookedness is completely normal during this time. Are crooked teeth in kids normal? explains what’s typical development and what’s worth getting checked.
