How to Become an Orthodontist: Education, Residency, Salary, and Career Guide

If you’re drawn to dentistry but want to focus on correcting teeth alignment and improving smiles, orthodontics might be the perfect specialty. Orthodontists are dental professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth and jaws, helping patients achieve healthier bites and confident smiles.

This guide breaks down what orthodontists do, the education and training required, career outlook, and expected salary so you can decide if this is the right path for you.

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Steps to Becoming an Orthodontist

Pursuing orthodontics is a long but rewarding journey that takes about a decade of education and training. Here’s what the pathway typically looks like:

Step One: Complete an Undergraduate Degree

The journey begins with a bachelor’s degree. While you can major in any subject, most aspiring dentists choose science-related fields such as biology or chemistry to cover dental school prerequisites. Maintaining a strong GPA is essential since dental schools are highly competitive.

In addition to coursework, students should seek extracurriculars that demonstrate leadership, service, and healthcare exposure. Volunteering at a dental clinic or gaining hands-on experience through opportunities like pre-dental internships abroad can make an application stand out.

Step Two: Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

All dental schools require the DAT, which measures scientific knowledge, reasoning, reading comprehension, and perceptual ability. The latter is particularly challenging, as it tests spatial visualization skills critical to dental procedures. A high DAT score is vital for admission into competitive programs.

Step Three: Attend Dental School

Once accepted, students complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Both are equivalent and require four years of intensive academic and clinical training. Strong grades and consistent performance in dental school are crucial for securing a spot in an orthodontic residency.

Step Four: Pass National Board Exams

To practice as a general dentist, graduates must pass licensing exams such as the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) or NBDE, along with state-level requirements where applicable. These exams confirm readiness to treat patients independently.

Step Five: Complete an Orthodontic Residency

Becoming an orthodontist requires an additional 2–3 years of specialized residency training in orthodontics. These programs are highly competitive, with far more applicants than available spots. Residents gain advanced training in correcting jaw irregularities, applying braces and aligners, and managing complex orthodontic cases.

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Orthodontists focus on correcting alignment and bite problems. Their work includes:

• Diagnosing irregularities in teeth and jaw alignment
• Applying braces, retainers, or Invisalign systems
• Correcting overbites, underbites, and crossbites
• Using expanders or other appliances to guide jaw growth
• Performing and interpreting dental x-rays and molds
• Addressing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

• Collaborating with other specialists to improve facial symmetry and oral function
  
  

Some orthodontists further specialize in dentofacial orthopedics, which focuses on guiding facial bone growth in children and adolescents.

Orthodontist Salary and Career Outlook

Orthodontics is one of the highest-paying dental specialties. The average orthodontist earns around $216,000 annually, with salaries exceeding $330,000 in high-demand states.

The career outlook is strong, with an expected growth of nearly 12% over the next decade. Demand is particularly high in underserved and rural areas, where patients often lack access to specialized dental care.

FAQs About Becoming an Orthodontist

#1. How long does it take to become an orthodontist?

It usually takes 10–12 years: four years of undergrad, four years of dental school, and 2–3 years of residency.

#2. Do orthodontists go to medical school?

No, they attend dental school and then specialize through residency.

#3. Do orthodontists perform surgery?

Yes, although surgery is generally a last resort. Orthodontists may perform procedures involving wires, plates, and screws to correct jaw irregularities when non-surgical treatments are insufficient.

#4. Do orthodontists earn more than general dentists?

Yes. Orthodontists earn significantly more due to their specialized training, with salaries often exceeding $200,000 compared to the $160,000 average for general dentists.

Final Thoughts

Orthodontics is a demanding yet rewarding career path that combines technical precision with the ability to transform lives. If you’re passionate about dentistry and want to specialize in creating confident smiles, this field offers excellent financial rewards and job security.

For students preparing early, gaining hands-on experience through dental internships abroad can provide valuable exposure, strengthen applications, and confirm whether orthodontics is the right path.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Dental Internships, Residency,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 10, 2025