An orthodontist is a specialized healthcare professional focused exclusively on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, particularly the alignment of teeth and jaws. They manage conditions such as overcrowding, improper bite patterns, and jaw structural issues using corrective appliances. The simple answer to whether they are medical doctors is no; orthodontists complete a distinct and rigorous educational path that results in a specific type of dental degree. Their specialized focus places them within the field of dentistry, separate from the broader scope of general medicine.
Required Educational Credentials
The journey to becoming a practicing orthodontist begins with a foundational education in general dentistry. Aspiring specialists must first complete four years of intensive study at an accredited dental school following their undergraduate degree. This doctoral program provides a comprehensive understanding of the head, neck, and oral cavity, encompassing anatomy, pathology, and clinical practice.
Successful completion results in a doctoral degree in dentistry, either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). This degree qualifies the individual to practice as a general dentist, performing procedures like cleanings, fillings, and basic extractions. The dental degree is the necessary prerequisite before specialization training can begin.
DDS Versus DMD
The existence of two different degree titles, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), often causes confusion. These two acronyms are functionally equivalent and represent the exact same level of education, training, and accreditation standards. The distinction is merely a matter of nomenclature chosen by the specific university that grants the degree. Historically, the first dental school awarded the DDS, while Harvard introduced the DMD. Regardless of the title, all accredited dental programs adhere to the same curriculum requirements, meaning both degrees signify the same foundational knowledge and clinical proficiency.
Specialized Training to Become an Orthodontist
What separates an orthodontist from a general dentist is the mandatory post-doctoral residency program completed after dental school. This rigorous, full-time academic and clinical residency typically spans an additional two to three years of advanced training. Admission to these programs is highly competitive, accepting only a small percentage of dental school graduates each year.
The curriculum focuses intensely on the specialized mechanics of tooth movement and the intricacies of craniofacial growth and development. Residents gain extensive practical experience in biomechanics, treatment planning for various malocclusions, and the use of sophisticated corrective devices. This training culminates in a specialty certificate, which is required to practice orthodontics as a recognized specialist.
Why Orthodontists Are Not Medical Doctors
The distinction between an orthodontist and a medical doctor (MD) lies fundamentally in their educational paths and licensed scope of practice. Medical doctors complete a four-year medical school curriculum followed by a three-to-seven-year medical residency, focusing on systemic diseases and the overall functioning of the human body. Orthodontists, conversely, focus their doctoral education and subsequent residency on the craniofacial complex and the alignment of the jaw and teeth.
While both professions require doctoral-level education, their licensing bodies and primary areas of expertise remain separate. A dental degree licenses the practice of dentistry, while an MD degree licenses the practice of general medicine. Orthodontists are dental specialists managing issues like jaw alignment and bite correction, maintaining a distinct identity separate from the systemic scope of a medical doctor.