Career Overview
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
Also Known As
- Orthodontic Dentist
- Orthodontic Specialist
- Orthodontics Doctor
- Orthodontist
Alternate Job Titles
- Board Certified Orthodontist
- Dental Treatment Coordinator
- Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist
- Doctor
- Invisible Braces Orthodontist
- Orthodontic Dentist
- Orthodontic Specialist
- Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist
- Orthodontics Doctor
- Orthodontist
- Pediatric Orthodontist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
- Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
- Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
- Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
- Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
- Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Adhesive removing pliers
- Autoclave sterilizers
- Band contouring pliers
- Band pushers
- Band removers
- Band slitting pliers
- Bird beak pliers
- Boone gauges
- Bracket removing pliers
- Cap removing pliers
- Cheek retractors
- Cold sterilizers
- College tweezers
- Dental cone beam computed tomography CT equipment
- Dental curing light sources
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
- Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $98,560 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 5,150
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Dentists, General
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $172,790
Prosthodontists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.