If you haven’t noticed, being recognized as an orthodontic specialist and retaining the  market share as an orthodontist has become more and more challenging. The end result  and the process of creating a beautiful smile that is also functional have always driven orthodontists to not compromise with patient care, technology, and education. It is just  unfortunate that a general dentist can do orthodontics in a six month period and not really worry about occlusion but rather focus on what the consumer wants: the front teeth  aligned, braces on the teeth in as little time as possible, and less cost! Oh, and throw in  the fact that the insurance companies love the lower benefits being paid out to policy  holders on behalf of the non-specialist! All this adds up to the orthodontic specialty being  challenged to project the difference with the level of patient care they provide and the  benefit of choosing this specialty!