As a patient, you deserve to know what distinguishes the professionals performing orthodontic treatments. In a market with increasingly varied offers, this information is essential to making a safe and informed decision.
General training vs. Specialisation
A degree in Dentistry lasts for 5 years and qualifies the professional to practise all areas of Dentistry — including fitting orthodontic appliances. However, general training covers Orthodontics somewhat superficially, without the depth required to truly master this discipline.
A Specialist Orthodontist has taken a different path: after their initial degree, they have completed at least 3 additional years of full-time training, exclusively dedicated to Orthodontics, culminating in an examination before the respective regulatory authority of the country where they practise. These are incomparable journeys — and the difference is reflected in their capacity for diagnosis, planning, and execution.
How to check?
The title of Specialist Orthodontist is granted by the regulatory authority of each country after passing a formal evaluation process. To confirm that your professional holds this credential, consult the competent authority: in Portugal, the Portuguese Dental Association (OMD); in Norway, the Helsedirektoratet; in Sweden, the Socialstyrelsen. You can also search the directories of orthodontic associations: aparelhos.pt (Portugal), kjeveortopediskforening.no (Norway) and sof.website (Sweden).
Continuous education
Beyond the Speciality, I value — and consider fundamental — complementary training throughout one’s career. Techniques such as orthodontics with aligners, skeletal anchorage, or digital orthodontics require constant updating. A professional who invests in their education is better prepared to offer the most appropriate solution for each individual case.
What changes in practice?
An experienced Specialist masters different systems — metal braces, ceramic braces, aligners — and is not limited to a single approach. They carry out a comprehensive study before proposing any treatment, plan every movement with precision, and have the competence to recognise and manage complications.
Orthodontics goes far beyond simply attaching braces — it is a clinical process that demands rigorous diagnosis, detailed planning, and continuous monitoring, with a direct impact on the patient’s long-term oral health.
Conclusion
Although cost is a legitimate factor in the decision-making process, choosing the right professional is the most decisive investment for the safety and quality of the final result.