Orthodontics is the Brach of Dentistry better known as Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.  The goal of Orthodontics is to solve any type of Malocclusion (Crooked Bite).

When you have a Malocclusion, it means that your teeth, lips and/or maxillaries are not in a good relation.  Therefore your teeth may be twisted or out of their correct place, and/or the maxillaries are not in good harmony.

To correct these bad bites, the specialist in Orthodontics uses Brackets and other procedures to put the teeth where they belong and harmonize the relationship among the maxillaries. 

An Orthodontist is a Dr. that has studied a specialty in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of facial and dental irregularities.  Therefore all Orthodontists are Dentists, but not all Dentists are Orthodontists.  The Orthodontist has followed a postgraduate program specializing in Orthodontics.

It takes many years to become an Orthodontist.

After studying Dentistry, the graduated Dentist must undergo at least 2 o 3 years of full time studies at an approved program to specialize in Orthodontics.  This approval comes through the Mexican Dental Association and by the Mexican Board of Orthodontics.   The specialty includes studies en biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences and other basic sciences.  The dentist learns and acquires skills needed to deal with tooth movement (Orthodontics) and to guide the growth and development of the maxillaries and of the face (Dentofacial Orthopedics). 

Only the Dentists that have completed successfully these programs can be called Orthodontists.