Choosing the right person to guide your family’s smile care is a big decision. Many families drive a short distance to work with a specialist orthodontist rather than a general dentist, and the reasons come down to training, focus, and results. If you’ve been asking why families choose a specialist orthodontist, the answer starts with education and ends with the smile you see in the mirror years later.
At Innovative Orthodontics, Dr. Donihue Waters, Dr. Ashley Clayton, and Dr. David Pearson have built a practice around one goal: giving your family a beautiful, straight smile while making every visit feel welcoming. Here’s what sets specialist care apart and how to know when it’s right for you.
What Is a Specialist Orthodontist?
A specialist orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional two to three years of accredited orthodontic residency after dental school. This advanced training focuses entirely on tooth alignment, bite correction, and jaw development, which is a very different scope than general dentistry.
Here’s what defines a specialist:
- Extra residency training beyond the standard dental degree
- Exclusive focus on orthodontics, not fillings, crowns, or cleanings
- Eligibility for board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)
- Recognized specialty by the American Dental Association
A general dentist might offer Invisalign as one service among many. A specialist orthodontist does orthodontics all day, every day. That difference in case volume and depth of training matters when your bite, jaw, or child’s growth is at stake.
The team at Innovative Orthodontics is made up of specialists who have completed this advanced residency training. Specialist-level care is the standard here, not an add-on, and every treatment plan is built with that depth of expertise behind it. When your family sees Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton for an evaluation, you can feel confident the person planning your care has spent years of post-doctoral study in this one field.
How Specialist Orthodontic Care Works
Specialist orthodontic care follows a clear process built around your smile and your schedule. From the first visit to your final retainer check, every step is handled by a team that does this work exclusively.
Here’s what to expect at Innovative Orthodontics:
- Free, no-pressure consultation. Your first visit includes digital scans (no goopy impressions), X-rays, and a thorough bite analysis. Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will review everything with you and answer your questions.
- Custom treatment plan. Based on growth patterns, alignment needs, and your goals, your orthodontist builds a plan matched to your age and case. Options may include metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, or retainers.
- Treatment phase. You’ll come in for monitoring appointments every 4 to 8 weeks so your orthodontist can track progress and make small adjustments.
- Retention phase. Once your smile reaches its new position, retainers protect your results long-term. This step is just as important as the active treatment.
- Coordination with your family dentist. Specialist care works alongside your regular dental cleanings and checkups to support your overall oral health.
The team at Innovative Orthodontics also makes it easy for busy families to find appointment times that fit school, work, and everything in between.
Benefits of Choosing a Specialist Orthodontist
Why does specialist training matter so much? Because orthodontics is more than straightening front teeth. It involves bite function, jaw growth, airway considerations, and long-term stability. A specialist sees these patterns every day and knows how to plan for them.
How Does Specialist Training Improve Outcomes?
Specialist training builds pattern recognition. After years of residency and thousands of cases, your orthodontist has seen smiles like yours many times before and knows which approach tends to deliver the most predictable result. That depth of experience shows up in small planning choices that add up to a better finish.
Here are the biggest benefits families notice:
- Advanced training for tough cases. Specialists are prepared for crowding, deep bites, open bites, crossbites, and jaw growth concerns that general dentists often refer out.
- More predictable outcomes. Focused expertise and high case volume mean your orthodontist has likely treated a smile very similar to yours many times before.
- Full range of appliances. You get access to metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, expanders, retainers, and more, all under one roof.
- Early intervention when it helps. Catching growth issues in children (sometimes called Phase 1 treatment) can reduce the need for extractions or jaw correction later.
- Better long-term stability. Proper planning and retention lower the risk of relapse years down the road.
- One provider for the whole family. Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, and the team at Innovative Orthodontics treat children, teens, and adults, so siblings and parents can share appointments and office visits.
What Should Families Look for in a Specialist?
When comparing providers, look for a practice that treats orthodontics as its sole focus, offers the full range of modern appliances, and takes time to explain each step. Ask whether the orthodontist completed an accredited residency, how many cases like yours they’ve treated, and what the retention plan looks like after active treatment ends. A good specialist welcomes those questions, and you can use these questions to ask when choosing an orthodontist as a starting point.
Families also value the expertise and personalized care that come with choosing a specialist orthodontist. The Innovative Orthodontics team has been recognized by the local community for their work with children, teens, and adults, and that recognition reflects what families already know when they walk through the door: specialist care feels different.
Specialist Orthodontist vs. General Dentist
The clearest way to compare the two is side by side. Both are important, but they play different roles in your oral health.
| Factor | Specialist Orthodontist | General Dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Dental school plus 2 to 3 years of orthodontic residency | Dental school |
| Scope of practice | Orthodontics only | Broad general dentistry (cleanings, fillings, crowns, etc.) |
| Case difficulty handled | Severe malocclusion, jaw growth, bite correction | Mild alignment cases, often refers tougher ones |
| Technology & appliances | Specialized imaging, full appliance range | Limited orthodontic equipment |
| Credentials available | ABO board certification | General dental licensure |
| Daily focus | Hundreds of orthodontic cases | Variety of dental services |
A general dentist is essential for your routine care. A specialist orthodontist is the right choice when the goal is moving teeth, correcting a bite, or guiding jaw development. The specialist-level training of Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, and Dr. Pearson gives families confidence that their case is being handled by someone who focuses on this work exclusively.
If your dentist has suggested braces or Invisalign, asking for a referral to a specialist is always a reasonable next step.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Specialist Care?
Specialist orthodontic care fits a wide range of ages and smile goals. If any of the following sounds like you or your child, a free consultation is a smart next step.
- Children by age 7. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if treatment isn’t needed yet. Early checks help catch growth issues when they’re easiest to guide.
- Teens with crowding, spacing, or bite issues. The teen years are a common time for braces or Invisalign Teen because adult teeth are in place and growth is still happening.
- Adults seeking discreet options. Clear braces and Invisalign let adults straighten their smile without feeling self-conscious at work or social events.
- Patients with prior relapsed treatment. If your teeth shifted after braces years ago, a specialist can design a plan to get your smile back on track.
- Families with multiple children. Treating siblings at the same practice makes scheduling easier and keeps everyone’s records in one place.
Families often choose Innovative Orthodontics because the team makes it easy to find an appointment time that works, even on busy school days. Starting with a specialist means you have a partner who can see the big picture of alignment, bite, and growth from the very first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an orthodontist compared to a dentist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an additional 2 to 3 years of specialized residency training focused only on tooth alignment, bite correction, and jaw development. A general dentist handles routine care like cleanings, fillings, and crowns. Think of your dentist as the generalist for your overall oral health and your orthodontist as the specialist for moving teeth and correcting bites.
Can a pediatric dentist do orthodontics?
Pediatric dentists are trained to care for children’s teeth and may offer some basic orthodontic services, but they are not orthodontic specialists unless they completed a separate orthodontic residency. For severe alignment, bite, or jaw growth cases, a referral to a specialist orthodontist is usually recommended. Many pediatric dentists work closely with specialists like Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, and Dr. Pearson to coordinate care.
What does orthodontist mean for kids?
For kids, an orthodontist is the smile specialist who checks how adult teeth are coming in, how the jaw is growing, and whether treatment like braces, expanders, or a retainer might help. The first visit is simply an evaluation, not an automatic start to treatment. Many children just need periodic monitoring until the right time to begin.
At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age, enough adult teeth have come in for an orthodontist to spot growth or alignment issues early. Early evaluation doesn’t mean early braces. It simply gives your orthodontist a baseline to monitor.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most orthodontic treatment takes 12 to 24 months, though timelines vary based on the case, appliance type, and how well instructions are followed. Minor alignment cases may wrap up faster, while bite correction or jaw-related treatment can take longer. During your free consultation, Dr. Waters or Dr. Clayton will give you a realistic time estimate for your smile.
Ready to see what specialist care can do for your family? Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with Dr. Waters, Dr. Clayton, or Dr. Pearson today and take the first step toward the smile you’ve been picturing.