Orthodontists are specialists and limit their practice to only orthodontic treatment, so that is all they do. The combination of specialty training and the experience that comes from providing only orthodontic treatment makes an Orthodontist the most qualified person to treat issues to do with the alignment of teeth and jaws to ensure you, or your child, ends up with a healthy and confident smile.
Orthodontists are dentists first, but to be an orthodontic specialist they must complete an additional 2 ½ to 3 years of residency training after dental school. It is comparable to the difference between a GP physician and a specialist physician like a dermatologist or an ophthalmologist. Only dentists that have completed an orthodontic residency and have been accredited and licensed in Canada as specialists can identify themselves as Orthodontists.