Dentist vs. orthodontist for braces in Bakersfield

If you are considering braces or Invisalign, an orthodontist is the specialist trained specifically to diagnose tooth alignment and bite problems and plan how the teeth and jaws should move. Your general dentist still plays an important role: keeping your teeth and gums healthy before, during, and after orthodontic treatment.

The simplest answer is that you usually want both professionals involved, for different reasons. Here is how to tell which one to call first.

What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?

Both dentists and orthodontists graduate from dental school. An orthodontist then completes an accredited orthodontic residency focused on tooth movement, bite correction, jaw growth, and treatment planning. The American Association of Orthodontists describes that additional specialty training as 24 to 36 months after dental school.

The American Dental Association recognizes orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics as the dental specialty that diagnoses, prevents, and corrects problems with the bite, teeth, and supporting facial structures.

In practical terms:

• A general dentist manages your overall oral health. That includes exams, cleanings, fillings, gum health, crowns, and other routine or restorative care.
• An orthodontist focuses on how the teeth fit together, how the bite functions, and how teeth and jaws can be guided into better positions.

This is not a contest between two professions. It is the same kind of division of responsibility you see elsewhere in health care: primary care handles the broad picture, while a specialist concentrates on a narrower problem.

Who should you see for braces or Invisalign?

For a decision about moving teeth or correcting a bite, start with an orthodontic evaluation. The appliance is only one part of treatment. The more important work is diagnosing why the teeth are out of position and deciding how each movement will affect the rest of the bite.

An orthodontist can compare options such as traditional braces, aesthetic braces, and Invisalign against the same diagnosis. That matters because the option you prefer may not be the one that gives the doctor the control your bite requires.

Dr. Guy Mendivil is an orthodontic specialist and an AAO member. He has practiced in Bakersfield since 1989 and is also a certified Invisalign and Invisalign Teen provider. That means patients can discuss fixed braces and clear aligners in one evaluation rather than beginning with a product and working backward.

When does specialist training matter most?

Every case deserves a diagnosis, even when the concern looks small in the mirror. A specialist evaluation becomes especially important when:

• Your upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly.
• You have significant crowding, spacing, or teeth that have not erupted as expected.
• Your jaw clicks, pops, or aches and you are also considering tooth movement.
• You have already had braces and the teeth or bite have shifted.
• A child has a developing bite or a mix of baby and permanent teeth.
• Another provider has described the case as complex or suggested coordinated care with another specialty.
• You are deciding between a removable aligner and a fixed appliance.

These signs do not tell you which treatment you need. They tell you that the diagnosis should come before the appliance choice. Dr. Mendivil's practice also provides TMJ treatment and consultative orthodontic continuity for complex cases, with surgical phases referred to appropriate specialty centers when needed.

Can your dentist and orthodontist work together?

They should. Orthodontic treatment moves teeth, but those teeth still need routine dental care.

Your dentist may identify crowding or a bite concern during an exam and suggest an orthodontic evaluation. Before braces or aligners begin, the dentist may also need to address cavities or gum inflammation. During treatment, regular exams and cleanings remain important because brackets, wires, and aligner attachments create new areas that need careful cleaning.

The orthodontist then manages the movement plan, monitors the bite, and adjusts the appliance. If a dental issue appears during treatment, the two offices can coordinate the sequence of care.

Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics also provides general dental care in Bakersfield, so orthodontic and routine dental needs can be discussed in the same practice. Patients who already have a general dentist can continue seeing that dentist; the goal is clear coordination, not replacing a relationship that works.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

Credentials matter, but so does the clarity of the plan. Bring these questions to any orthodontic consultation:

1. Are you an orthodontic specialist? Ask whether the doctor completed an accredited orthodontic residency after dental school.
2. What exactly are you treating? The answer should cover the bite and jaw relationship, not only the front teeth you can see.
3. Which treatment options fit my diagnosis? Ask why braces, clear aligners, or another appliance is being recommended.
4. Who will plan and monitor treatment? You should know which doctor is responsible for decisions and progress checks.
5. How will you coordinate with my dentist? This is particularly important if you need fillings, gum care, crowns, or other dental work.
6. What is included in the fee? Ask about records, visits, retainers, and how insurance benefits will be applied. Our guide to braces costs in Bakersfield explains the main factors that shape a treatment estimate.

What happens at an orthodontic consultation?

A consultation should answer three questions: what is happening with the bite, which treatment options are appropriate, and what the expected timeline and cost look like for your case.

At Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics, the consultation is free. The team can review your insurance information and explain the treatment choices before anything starts. The practice accepts Blue Shield of California, Delta Dental, Anthem Blue Cross, Premier Access, MetLife, Guardian, Liberty Dental Plan, and Medi-Cal & Covered California.

The office is at 11901 Bolthouse Dr Suite 200 in Bakersfield, serving Seven Oaks, Stockdale, and the surrounding area. Treatment takes place in private rooms, and bilingual staff are available in English and Spanish.

If you are unsure whether your concern belongs with a dentist or an orthodontist, schedule a free consultation. The first useful step is a clear diagnosis; the appliance decision comes after that.

Common questions

Is an orthodontist also a dentist?

Yes. Every orthodontist first completes dental school, then completes additional full-time specialty education in orthodontics. Not every dentist is an orthodontist.

Can a general dentist offer Invisalign or braces?

Some general dentists provide orthodontic services. Offering an appliance, however, is different from completing an accredited orthodontic residency. Ask about the provider's formal specialty training and who will diagnose and monitor the bite throughout treatment.

Do I still need dental cleanings while I have braces or Invisalign?

Yes. Orthodontic visits do not replace routine dental exams and cleanings. Your dentist monitors tooth and gum health while your orthodontist manages tooth movement and the bite.

Do I need a referral to schedule an orthodontic consultation?

No referral is required to schedule with Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics. You can contact the practice directly, although information from your dentist can be helpful when the two offices need to coordinate care.