It is a common misconception that dentists and orthodontists are the same profession. Despite this, there is a big difference between what a dentist does, and what an orthodontist does. Orthodontia is a specialism a dentist can choose to go down, much like if a doctor wanted to specialise within a specific area, such as neurology. You may never have the need to visit the orthodontist, however, if you should need an appointment with one, it is best to have an understanding of who they are, and what they do.