What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialty training in orthodontics: diagnosing and treating the position of the teeth, bite problems and jaw development.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, this training lasts 24 to 36 months after dental school. Orthodontics covers a range of treatments: teeth straightening with fixed braces, clear aligners and other appliances, for children, teenagers and adults. According to a review in the Journal of the American Dental Association, two thirds to three quarters of adults have some form of malocclusion, yet adults made up only about 15% of orthodontic patients (Buttke & Proffit, Journal of the American Dental Association, 1999). The AAO recommends a first check-up for children no later than age 7, and there is no upper age limit for treatment.
Orthodontist vs. general dentist
| Criterion | General dentist | Orthodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Dental school | Dental school, then 2 to 3 more years of specialty training in orthodontics (AAO) |
| Main focus | Overall oral health: check-ups, fillings, crowns, gum care | Position of the teeth, the bite and jaw development |
| When to see one | Regular check-ups and most dental treatment | Crowding, gaps, bite or jaw problems; first check-up by age 7 |
Orthodontist in Jerusalem: who provides orthodontic treatment at the clinic
Dr Haim Aseriel, an English-speaking, US-trained general dentist at the dental clinic in Jerusalem, has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2014 and is also certified in Spark aligners (Ormco). He treats patients with clear aligners. Ceramic and lingual braces are placed at the clinic by an orthodontist.
A first consultation is a diagnostic process: bite examination, digital X-rays when needed, a gum assessment and an individual treatment plan. It leaves room for your questions and presents realistic options in English; when ceramic or lingual braces are the right choice, treatment is carried out by the orthodontist.
Discreet orthodontics: clear and invisible options
For years, metal braces were the main solution. Today there are less visible alternatives that allow orthodontic treatment without changing how your smile looks during treatment.
Straightening without brackets
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are removable trays that are barely visible while you wear them.
Hidden or tooth-colored braces
With lingual braces, the brackets are bonded behind the teeth; with clear (ceramic) braces, they are tooth-colored.
The choice between methods depends on how severe the bite problem is, the patient's age and the goals of treatment. Dr Haim Aseriel and the clinic's dental team help each patient find the option that fits the case.
Orthognathic (jaw) surgery: who needs it?
Orthognathic surgery is for cases where the bite problem comes from the jaws themselves and cannot be corrected by moving the teeth alone. Headaches, tension in the jaw muscles and sometimes breathing difficulties at night may point to such a problem, which needs a surgical assessment.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, surgery is usually performed once jaw growth is complete, in the late teens or early twenties. It is preceded by a phase of orthodontic treatment so that the teeth fit together once the jaws are repositioned. The operation is performed under general anesthesia by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and usually involves an overnight stay in a hospital or surgical center.
Unlike braces or a retainer, orthognathic surgery is a complex procedure that requires coordination between an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Patients who may need surgery are referred for a full assessment, and Dr Haim Aseriel continues to follow them throughout the process.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
When should you book an orthodontic check-up?
In children, an early check-up can detect problems with jaw development and tooth eruption while growth can still help. Untreated problems can affect not only appearance but also long-term oral health, so it is worth booking a check-up in these situations:
- Crooked and crowded teeth: harder to clean, which raises the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- A protruding or receding jaw: can contribute to jaw discomfort and facial imbalance. According to a review, the worldwide prevalence of Class II malocclusion (a lower jaw positioned too far back relative to the upper jaw) at ages 0 to 19 is estimated at 19.56% to 20.2% (Nair et al., Cureus, 2025).
- Gaps between the teeth: affect both appearance and chewing.
- Discomfort when chewing or speaking: may point to a bite problem that needs a professional assessment.
- Feeling self-conscious about your smile: a direct effect on quality of life, socially and at work.
A study of 860 adults aged 18 to 39 found that malocclusion lowered oral health-related quality of life, and that after orthodontic treatment it rose to a level similar to that of people with a normal bite (Kang & Kang, Korean J Orthod, 2014).
According to an American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) figure cited in a systematic review, about half of people have a bite problem that could justify orthodontic treatment, but the share of cases where treatment is medically necessary is much lower, under 10% (Alam et al., J Clin Med, 2023).
In other words, an orthodontic check-up is not only for severe problems: it is for anyone who feels that something is "not straight" in their smile or their bite.
7
The age by which a first orthodontic check-up is recommended (AAO)
At the consultation, a digital intraoral scan is carried out, and you receive a detailed written estimate, with itemized receipts available for your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
How to choose an orthodontist
- Check that the practitioner holds a specialist title in orthodontics recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Health (searchable in the health professionals registry).
- Ask for a full examination before deciding: bite, jaws, gums and X-rays as needed.
- Get a written treatment plan: the method, the expected length of treatment and the number of visits.
- Ask in advance about retention: which retainer is fitted at the end of treatment, and for how long.
Practical information for English-speaking patients
- Language: the consultation, the treatment plan and aftercare instructions are given in English; the team speaks English, Hebrew and French.
- Location: 12 HaTnufa Street, HaTnufa complex, 3rd floor, unit 410, Talpiot, south Jerusalem.
- Opening hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
- Booking: call 03-912-1879 or use the contact form.
Orthodontist: frequently asked questions
Every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist is an orthodontist. A general dentist looks after overall oral health: check-ups, fillings, crowns and gum care. An orthodontist has 2 to 3 more years of specialty training focused on straightening teeth and correcting the bite and jaw relationships (AAO).
A first orthodontic consultation usually includes an examination of the bite and the position of the teeth, X-rays or a digital scan when needed, an assessment of the gums, and an explanation of the treatment options, the expected length of treatment and the cost. Its purpose is to give a full picture before any decision.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, when problems with the development of the teeth and jaws can already be detected. For adults there is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment, as long as the teeth and gums are healthy.
Orthognathic (jaw) surgery is considered when a bite problem comes from the position of the jaws themselves and cannot be corrected with braces or aligners alone. According to the AAO, it is usually done once jaw growth is complete, in the late teens or early twenties, after a phase of pre-surgical orthodontics. It is performed under general anesthesia by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, often with an overnight hospital stay.
Sources
- American Association of Orthodontists, Orthodontist vs. Dentist – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, Orthodontic Surgery – View source
- Alam MK et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023 – View source
- Buttke TM & Proffit WR, Journal of the American Dental Association, 1999 – View source
- Kang JM & Kang KH, Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 2014 – View source
- Nair PS et al., Cureus, 2025 – View source
