Do you have to see an orthodontist to get retainers / teeth straighteners?

Trained dentist: Any dentist trained in orthodontics can correct crooked teeth.

No: Many general practicioner and pediatic dentists offer orthodontic services. It is estimate that about 50% of tooth straightening is done by orthodontists and the remainder by others.

No, but: Any licensed dentist can perform these procedures, however please consider that an orthodontist is overwhelmingly more qualified to straighten teeth. General dentists may do a great job, but only after much extra learning. Good luck.

No, but...: Retainers hold teeth where they are. Aligners move teeth, but not as well as braces. Any dentist can do this, but not as well as a specialist who does nothing else. The orthodontist does only orthodontics. In a generalist's office you may be the only orthodontic patient he's seeing this week. And generalists usually charge fees very similar to those being charged by specialists, so no savings.

Good idea: Why not seek the opinion of a licensed orthodontic specialist to determine what is best to serve your needs and desires? They are the experts.

Retainers: Most dentists can make a retainer for you as they send it out to a lab to make after taking an impression. Research to see if your docs dabbles in teeth straightening or if they have additional training and experience. You may not know that your family M.D. Can do heart surgery on you as long as you let them(but to do it in a hospital they need extra credentials).

"Have to" ? No: A well trained general dentist, let me repeat that: a well trained general dentist can perform & often performs orthodontic treatment, root canal treatment, periodontal therapy, teeth extractions, dental implant placement & restoration, full & partial dentures, etc(you do not "have to"see the respective dental specialists - orthodontist, endodontist, periodontist, oral surgeon, and prosthodontist).

Different: retainers do not straighten teeth, they hold them in [place. you can use aligners to straighten teeth, which look a lot like retainers, but have a different functional purpose (invisalign is a good example of aligners). Either way I would say yes, see an orthodontist.