Orthodontist

Your Fit

Income

$255K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

4.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Orthodontist?

An Orthodontist is a specialized dentist who diagnoses, prevents, and treats dental and facial irregularities. They design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Sample job titles:

Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontics Doctor, Orthodontist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Orthodontist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Orthodontist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$99K per year	$137K per year	$255K per year	NA per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $205K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Orthodontist do?

Work environment

Orthodontists typically work in private orthodontic or dental practices. They may own their practice or work as associates in established practices. The environment is usually comfortable and well-lit, with a focus on clean and sterile conditions. Working hours can vary, often including evenings and weekends to accommodate patients' schedules.

Quick task list

Diagnoses and treats malocclusions and dentofacial anomalies.
Designs, fabricates, and fits orthodontic appliances.
Monitors patient progress and adjusts treatments as needed.
Educates patients on oral hygiene practices during orthodontic treatment.
Maintains patient records and manages the orthodontic practice.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Orthodontics: Specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents.
Adult Orthodontics: Focusing on orthodontic treatment for adults, which may involve more complex cases due to previous dental work or age-related changes.
Surgical Orthodontics: Working in conjunction with oral surgeons to correct severe malocclusions involving jaw surgery.
Lingual Orthodontics: Using braces that are bonded behind the teeth, invisible from the front.
Clear Aligner Therapy: Specializing in the use of clear aligners, such as Invisalign, as an alternative to traditional braces.

Description

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that requires both technical skill and an artistic eye. Orthodontists must have a deep understanding of the growth and development of the teeth and jaw, as well as the mechanics involved in moving teeth and aligning jaws. They use a variety of appliances, including braces, retainers, and aligners, to correct misaligned teeth and jaws.

A significant part of the job involves interacting with patients, often over long periods, as orthodontic treatments can take several years. Orthodontists need to be excellent communicators, capable of explaining complex treatments in an understandable way and providing reassurance to apprehensive patients.

Running an orthodontic practice also involves business and administrative tasks, such as managing staff, keeping records, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Continuous education is important to keep up with the latest advancements in orthodontic techniques and materials.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Transforming patients' smiles and seeing the positive impact on their self-esteem and quality of life.
Engaging in a blend of health care and aesthetic work.
Building long-term relationships with patients.
The intellectual challenge of diagnosing and treating complex dental cases.

You might make a good Orthodontist if you are...

Detail-oriented, with a passion for precision and aesthetics in dental care.
Patient and compassionate, able to work with clients of all ages, particularly children and teens.
A strong communicator, able to explain complex treatments clearly and empathetically.
Interested in a long-term commitment to education and learning in the field of dentistry.
Skilled in both the technical and artistic aspects of dental care.

Pros:

High earning potential and job stability.
Personal satisfaction from improving patients' oral health and aesthetics.
Regular working hours compared to other medical professions.

Cons:

Lengthy and expensive educational process.
Physically demanding work that can lead to ergonomic issues.
Dealing with anxious or uncooperative patients, especially children.

How to become an Orthodontist

Typical education

Becoming an orthodontist requires extensive education: a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of dental school, and an additional 2-3 years of specialized orthodontic residency training. Licensure is also required to practice.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and Chemistry to understand the basics of human anatomy and physiological processes.
Mathematics for developing analytical skills.
Art to cultivate an aesthetic sense and manual dexterity.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at dental clinics or hospitals to gain exposure to the healthcare environment.
Shadowing an orthodontist to understand the day-to-day responsibilities of the profession.
Participating in clubs or activities that involve detailed, hands-on work.

Preparation after high school

Earn a bachelor's degree, preferably in a science-related field.
Attend dental school, followed by specialized training in orthodontics.
Obtain licensure to practice orthodontics.
Consider joining orthodontic residency programs for hands-on experience.

More resources

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) - Professional organization for orthodontists, offering educational resources and networking opportunities.
The Orthodontic National Group - Provides support and information for those in the orthodontic profession.
Invisalign Training - Offers training for orthodontists in clear aligner therapy.
Journal of Orthodontics - Scientific journal publishing the latest research in orthodontics.
Orthodontic Products - A magazine and online resource for the latest in orthodontic industry news, product information, and technology trends.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.