What is the difference between an orthodontist and an orthodontic therapist?

Assistant vs doctor: Orthodontic therapists assist dentists in carrying out orthodontic treatment and provide some aspects of the treatment themselves. Orthodontic therapists also carry out treatments to assist patients in an emergency by relieving pain or making appliances safe.

No such thing : An orthodontist is a dentist that has completed 2 or 3 additional years of university based training specific to alignment of jaws, teeth and related structures. Not sure what you mean by orthodontic therapist. You maybe referring to the orthodontic assistants that help the orthodontist during your visit with changing wires and tightening of the appliances. Up to one year of assisting school. .

A lot of school!: An orthodontist has a minimum of 3-4 years undergraduate work. A minimum of 3-4 years of dental school and a minimum of 2-3 years specialty training in orthodontics. An orthodontic therapist(assistant) has a 6 month -1 year training at a technical type school to work under the direction of an orthodontist.

Never heard of it: In 30 years of orthodontic practice and teaching I have never heard the term orthodontic therapist. I suspect it may be an assistant. An orthodontist goes for 3 more years of training after dental school (11 yrs. Total after high school). An assistant needs no extra schooling and can be trained on the job. However, many assistants go to school for 6-12 months and become certified.

Training: Never heard of an orthodontic therapist. Sounds like a scam. Ask where they did their orthodontic residency or better yet, run, don't walk, away from them!

Training: An Orthodontist is a Dentist with 2-5 extra years of specialty training in just that discipline, and who limits his/her practice to just that specialty. An Orthodontic Therapist is not, to my knowledge, an officially recognized title. It may refer to a dental assistant that has been trained to assist the Orthodontist. A high school education may be the only requirement.