Dentists offer a wide range of general care and treatments for oral and dental health. These treatments include cavity fillings, dental fillings, root canal therapy, tooth extractions, teeth whitening, and the prevention of gum diseases. Orthodontists, on the other hand, are dentists specialized in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of irregularities in the teeth and jaw structure. Their treatments typically aim for the correct alignment of teeth and the correction of jaw relationships using braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic appliances.

There are also significant differences in their educational paths. Dentists generally graduate after completing a five-year dental faculty program. Orthodontists, after graduating from dental school, specialize in orthodontics by undergoing an intensive postgraduate training program lasting 4 to 5 years.