[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":439},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-\u002Fblog\u002Fdentist-vs-orthodontist-for-braces-in-bakersfield":3,"blog-related-\u002Fblog\u002Fdentist-vs-orthodontist-for-braces-in-bakersfield":296},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"cover":282,"coverAlt":283,"coverOrientation":284,"date":285,"description":286,"extension":287,"meta":288,"navigation":289,"path":290,"seo":291,"stem":292,"tags":293,"__hash__":295},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fdentist-vs-orthodontist-for-braces-in-bakersfield.md","Dentist vs. orthodontist for braces in Bakersfield",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":265},"minimark",[9,13,21,26,37,46,49,65,68,72,75,93,96,100,103,126,139,143,146,149,152,160,164,167,211,215,218,221,224,232,236,241,244,248,251,255,258,262],[10,11,12],"p",{},"If you are considering braces or Invisalign, an orthodontist is the\nspecialist trained specifically to diagnose tooth alignment and bite problems\nand plan how the teeth and jaws should move. Your general dentist still plays\nan important role: keeping your teeth and gums healthy before, during, and\nafter orthodontic treatment.",[10,14,15,16,20],{},"The simplest answer is that you usually want ",[17,18,19],"strong",{},"both professionals involved,\nfor different reasons",". Here is how to tell which one to call first.",[22,23,25],"h2",{"id":24},"what-is-the-difference-between-a-dentist-and-an-orthodontist","What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?",[10,27,28,29,36],{},"Both dentists and orthodontists graduate from dental school. An orthodontist\nthen completes an accredited orthodontic residency focused on tooth movement,\nbite correction, jaw growth, and treatment planning. The\n",[30,31,35],"a",{"href":32,"rel":33},"https:\u002F\u002Faaoinfo.org\u002Fresources\u002Forthodontist-vs-dentist\u002F",[34],"nofollow","American Association of Orthodontists","\ndescribes that additional specialty training as 24 to 36 months after dental\nschool.",[10,38,39,40,45],{},"The ",[30,41,44],{"href":42,"rel":43},"https:\u002F\u002Fncrdscb.ada.org\u002Frecognized-dental-specialties",[34],"American Dental Association","\nrecognizes orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics as the dental specialty\nthat diagnoses, prevents, and corrects problems with the bite, teeth, and\nsupporting facial structures.",[10,47,48],{},"In practical terms:",[50,51,52,59],"ul",{},[53,54,55,58],"li",{},[17,56,57],{},"A general dentist"," manages your overall oral health. That includes exams,\ncleanings, fillings, gum health, crowns, and other routine or restorative\ncare.",[53,60,61,64],{},[17,62,63],{},"An orthodontist"," focuses on how the teeth fit together, how the bite\nfunctions, and how teeth and jaws can be guided into better positions.",[10,66,67],{},"This is not a contest between two professions. It is the same kind of division\nof responsibility you see elsewhere in health care: primary care handles the\nbroad picture, while a specialist concentrates on a narrower problem.",[22,69,71],{"id":70},"who-should-you-see-for-braces-or-invisalign","Who should you see for braces or Invisalign?",[10,73,74],{},"For a decision about moving teeth or correcting a bite, start with an\northodontic evaluation. The appliance is only one part of treatment. The more\nimportant work is diagnosing why the teeth are out of position and deciding\nhow each movement will affect the rest of the bite.",[10,76,77,78,82,83,87,88,92],{},"An orthodontist can compare options such as ",[30,79,81],{"href":80},"\u002Forthodontics\u002Fbraces","traditional braces",",\n",[30,84,86],{"href":85},"\u002Forthodontics\u002Faesthetic-braces","aesthetic braces",", and\n",[30,89,91],{"href":90},"\u002Forthodontics\u002Finvisalign","Invisalign"," against the same diagnosis. That matters\nbecause the option you prefer may not be the one that gives the doctor the\ncontrol your bite requires.",[10,94,95],{},"Dr. Guy Mendivil is an orthodontic specialist and an AAO member. He has\npracticed in Bakersfield since 1989 and is also a certified Invisalign and\nInvisalign Teen provider. That means patients can discuss fixed braces and\nclear aligners in one evaluation rather than beginning with a product and\nworking backward.",[22,97,99],{"id":98},"when-does-specialist-training-matter-most","When does specialist training matter most?",[10,101,102],{},"Every case deserves a diagnosis, even when the concern looks small in the\nmirror. A specialist evaluation becomes especially important when:",[50,104,105,108,111,114,117,120,123],{},[53,106,107],{},"Your upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly.",[53,109,110],{},"You have significant crowding, spacing, or teeth that have not erupted as\nexpected.",[53,112,113],{},"Your jaw clicks, pops, or aches and you are also considering tooth movement.",[53,115,116],{},"You have already had braces and the teeth or bite have shifted.",[53,118,119],{},"A child has a developing bite or a mix of baby and permanent teeth.",[53,121,122],{},"Another provider has described the case as complex or suggested coordinated\ncare with another specialty.",[53,124,125],{},"You are deciding between a removable aligner and a fixed appliance.",[10,127,128,129,133,134,138],{},"These signs do not tell you which treatment you need. They tell you that the\ndiagnosis should come before the appliance choice. Dr. Mendivil's practice also\nprovides ",[30,130,132],{"href":131},"\u002Forthodontics\u002Ftmj","TMJ treatment"," and consultative orthodontic\ncontinuity for ",[30,135,137],{"href":136},"\u002Forthodontics\u002Fcomplex-cases","complex cases",", with surgical\nphases referred to appropriate specialty centers when needed.",[22,140,142],{"id":141},"can-your-dentist-and-orthodontist-work-together","Can your dentist and orthodontist work together?",[10,144,145],{},"They should. Orthodontic treatment moves teeth, but those teeth still need\nroutine dental care.",[10,147,148],{},"Your dentist may identify crowding or a bite concern during an exam and suggest\nan orthodontic evaluation. Before braces or aligners begin, the dentist may\nalso need to address cavities or gum inflammation. During treatment, regular\nexams and cleanings remain important because brackets, wires, and aligner\nattachments create new areas that need careful cleaning.",[10,150,151],{},"The orthodontist then manages the movement plan, monitors the bite, and adjusts\nthe appliance. If a dental issue appears during treatment, the two offices can\ncoordinate the sequence of care.",[10,153,154,155,159],{},"Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics also provides ",[30,156,158],{"href":157},"\u002Fdental","general dental care in Bakersfield",",\nso orthodontic and routine dental needs can be discussed in the same practice.\nPatients who already have a general dentist can continue seeing that dentist;\nthe goal is clear coordination, not replacing a relationship that works.",[22,161,163],{"id":162},"questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-provider","Questions to ask before choosing a provider",[10,165,166],{},"Credentials matter, but so does the clarity of the plan. Bring these questions\nto any orthodontic consultation:",[168,169,170,176,182,188,194,200],"ol",{},[53,171,172,175],{},[17,173,174],{},"Are you an orthodontic specialist?"," Ask whether the doctor completed an\naccredited orthodontic residency after dental school.",[53,177,178,181],{},[17,179,180],{},"What exactly are you treating?"," The answer should cover the bite and jaw\nrelationship, not only the front teeth you can see.",[53,183,184,187],{},[17,185,186],{},"Which treatment options fit my diagnosis?"," Ask why braces, clear\naligners, or another appliance is being recommended.",[53,189,190,193],{},[17,191,192],{},"Who will plan and monitor treatment?"," You should know which doctor is\nresponsible for decisions and progress checks.",[53,195,196,199],{},[17,197,198],{},"How will you coordinate with my dentist?"," This is particularly important\nif you need fillings, gum care, crowns, or other dental work.",[53,201,202,205,206,210],{},[17,203,204],{},"What is included in the fee?"," Ask about records, visits, retainers, and\nhow insurance benefits will be applied. Our guide to\n",[30,207,209],{"href":208},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-much-do-braces-cost-in-bakersfield-ca","braces costs in Bakersfield","\nexplains the main factors that shape a treatment estimate.",[22,212,214],{"id":213},"what-happens-at-an-orthodontic-consultation","What happens at an orthodontic consultation?",[10,216,217],{},"A consultation should answer three questions: what is happening with the bite,\nwhich treatment options are appropriate, and what the expected timeline and\ncost look like for your case.",[10,219,220],{},"At Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics, the consultation is free. The team can review\nyour insurance information and explain the treatment choices before anything\nstarts. The practice accepts Blue Shield of California, Delta Dental, Anthem\nBlue Cross, Premier Access, MetLife, Guardian, Liberty Dental Plan, and\nMedi-Cal & Covered California.",[10,222,223],{},"The office is at 11901 Bolthouse Dr Suite 200 in Bakersfield, serving Seven\nOaks, Stockdale, and the surrounding area. Treatment takes place in private\nrooms, and bilingual staff are available in English and Spanish.",[10,225,226,227,231],{},"If you are unsure whether your concern belongs with a dentist or an\northodontist, ",[30,228,230],{"href":229},"\u002Fschedule","schedule a free consultation",". The first useful step\nis a clear diagnosis; the appliance decision comes after that.",[22,233,235],{"id":234},"common-questions","Common questions",[237,238,240],"h3",{"id":239},"is-an-orthodontist-also-a-dentist","Is an orthodontist also a dentist?",[10,242,243],{},"Yes. Every orthodontist first completes dental school, then completes\nadditional full-time specialty education in orthodontics. Not every dentist is\nan orthodontist.",[237,245,247],{"id":246},"can-a-general-dentist-offer-invisalign-or-braces","Can a general dentist offer Invisalign or braces?",[10,249,250],{},"Some general dentists provide orthodontic services. Offering an appliance,\nhowever, is different from completing an accredited orthodontic residency. Ask\nabout the provider's formal specialty training and who will diagnose and\nmonitor the bite throughout treatment.",[237,252,254],{"id":253},"do-i-still-need-dental-cleanings-while-i-have-braces-or-invisalign","Do I still need dental cleanings while I have braces or Invisalign?",[10,256,257],{},"Yes. Orthodontic visits do not replace routine dental exams and cleanings. Your\ndentist monitors tooth and gum health while your orthodontist manages tooth\nmovement and the bite.",[237,259,261],{"id":260},"do-i-need-a-referral-to-schedule-an-orthodontic-consultation","Do I need a referral to schedule an orthodontic consultation?",[10,263,264],{},"No referral is required to schedule with Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics. You can\ncontact the practice directly, although information from your dentist can be\nhelpful when the two offices need to coordinate care.",{"title":266,"searchDepth":267,"depth":267,"links":268},"",2,[269,270,271,272,273,274,275],{"id":24,"depth":267,"text":25},{"id":70,"depth":267,"text":71},{"id":98,"depth":267,"text":99},{"id":141,"depth":267,"text":142},{"id":162,"depth":267,"text":163},{"id":213,"depth":267,"text":214},{"id":234,"depth":267,"text":235,"children":276},[277,279,280,281],{"id":239,"depth":278,"text":240},3,{"id":246,"depth":278,"text":247},{"id":253,"depth":278,"text":254},{"id":260,"depth":278,"text":261},"\u002Fdr\u002Fdr-mendivil-xrays-portrait.jpg","Dr. Guy Mendivil reviewing orthodontic X-rays in his Bakersfield office","portrait","2026-08-10","Learn when to see a dentist and when to see an orthodontist for braces or Invisalign, including the training difference and questions to ask before treatment.","md",{},true,"\u002Fblog\u002Fdentist-vs-orthodontist-for-braces-in-bakersfield",{"title":5,"description":286},"blog\u002Fdentist-vs-orthodontist-for-braces-in-bakersfield",[294],"Choosing care","FZoHiM0pmbkgZIpYz-lB1YRAxpwXxqkQqw4RNc1AaU8",[297],{"id":298,"title":299,"body":300,"cover":428,"coverAlt":429,"coverOrientation":430,"date":431,"description":432,"extension":287,"meta":433,"navigation":289,"path":208,"seo":434,"stem":435,"tags":436,"__hash__":438},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-much-do-braces-cost-in-bakersfield-ca.md","How much do braces cost in Bakersfield, CA?",{"type":7,"value":301,"toc":422},[302,309,313,316,348,352,359,362,365,391,395,398,402,405,408,419],[10,303,304,305,308],{},"A straight answer up front: in Bakersfield, full orthodontic treatment\ngenerally lands between ",[17,306,307],{},"$3,000 and $7,000",". The range is wide because\nevery mouth is different — and because \"braces\" actually covers several\ndifferent appliances. Here is how the number is built, in plain English.",[22,310,312],{"id":311},"what-moves-the-price","What moves the price",[10,314,315],{},"Five things shape the total cost more than anything else:",[50,317,318,324,330,336,342],{},[53,319,320,323],{},[17,321,322],{},"The appliance."," Traditional metal braces sit at the lower end of\nthe range. Clear (ceramic) braces, gold-finish brackets, and clear\naligners like Invisalign sit higher. Lingual braces — bonded to the\ninside of the teeth — are the highest, because they are custom-made\nper patient.",[53,325,326,329],{},[17,327,328],{},"How long treatment runs."," A six-month limited case and a\ntwo-and-a-half year comprehensive case are not the same price. Length\nis driven by the bite, not by preference.",[53,331,332,335],{},[17,333,334],{},"The complexity of the case."," Crowding, spacing, and a straightforward\nbite alignment are at the lower end. Skeletal issues, TMJ involvement,\nand cases that need expanders or surgical coordination shift higher.",[53,337,338,341],{},[17,339,340],{},"Whether earlier treatment is needed."," A child may need a short\nPhase I round at age 7–9 to guide jaw growth, then full braces later.\nTwo phases cost more than one phase — and sometimes one well-timed\nphase replaces a longer later one.",[53,343,344,347],{},[17,345,346],{},"The orthodontist's training."," An orthodontist has completed a\nmulti-year residency in orthodontics after dental school. That is the\nspecialty, and it is the credential that should appear on the wall.",[22,349,351],{"id":350},"what-insurance-usually-covers","What insurance usually covers",[10,353,354,355,358],{},"Most dental plans that include orthodontic benefits cover ",[17,356,357],{},"a lifetime\nmaximum",", often somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500 per patient, paid\nout over the course of active treatment. Plans vary widely — some\npay a flat percentage, some pay against a schedule, some require the\npatient to be under 19.",[10,360,361],{},"The most reliable way to know what your plan will pay is to bring your\ninsurance card to the consultation. We verify benefits in the office and\nwalk through the breakdown before any treatment plan is signed.",[10,363,364],{},"We are in-network with:",[50,366,367,370,373,376,379,382,385,388],{},[53,368,369],{},"Blue Shield of California",[53,371,372],{},"Delta Dental",[53,374,375],{},"Anthem Blue Cross",[53,377,378],{},"Premier Access",[53,380,381],{},"MetLife",[53,383,384],{},"Guardian",[53,386,387],{},"Liberty Dental Plan",[53,389,390],{},"Medi-Cal and Covered California",[22,392,394],{"id":393},"what-a-consultation-actually-covers","What a consultation actually covers",[10,396,397],{},"The first visit is a consultation. We look at the bite, take any\nnecessary records, and lay out what treatment would look like — what\nappliance fits the case, how long it would run, and what the total cost\nwould be after insurance. Nothing is started on the first visit; you\nleave with a written estimate and a decision to make at home.",[22,399,401],{"id":400},"what-is-not-on-this-page","What is not on this page",[10,403,404],{},"We do not publish a single sticker price for braces because there is no\nsingle sticker price that would be honest. A 12-year-old with mild\ncrowding and a 38-year-old with a deep bite and clicking jaw will see\ndifferent plans, different timelines, and different totals.",[10,406,407],{},"What we can tell you in advance:",[50,409,410,413,416],{},[53,411,412],{},"The consultation itself is free.",[53,414,415],{},"We accept the carriers listed above and verify your benefits in the\noffice.",[53,417,418],{},"The written estimate you take home is the price you will pay — no\nlate-stage add-ons.",[10,420,421],{},"For a personalized quote, schedule a consultation. We will go through\nyour bite, your timeline, and your coverage before any treatment starts.",{"title":266,"searchDepth":267,"depth":267,"links":423},[424,425,426,427],{"id":311,"depth":267,"text":312},{"id":350,"depth":267,"text":351},{"id":393,"depth":267,"text":394},{"id":400,"depth":267,"text":401},"\u002Fphotos\u002Fcloseup-lady-braces.jpg","Close-up of a patient smiling with traditional braces",null,"2024-09-26","A plain-English look at what orthodontic treatment typically costs in Bakersfield — what drives the range, what insurance usually covers, and how Dr. Mendivil Orthodontics walks through pricing at a consultation.",{},{"title":299,"description":432},"blog\u002Fhow-much-do-braces-cost-in-bakersfield-ca",[437],"Cost & insurance","8kl80M21QUofYOlJmssLSFG1Hlf15NQz0g1gb6JmkYw",1786395414470]