An orthodontist is a dental specialist focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating irregularities of the teeth and jaws. They correct misalignments to achieve a healthy, functional bite. The path to becoming an orthodontist is a lengthy educational journey, typically lasting between 10 to 11 years after high school. This extensive training ensures practitioners are equipped with the skills to manage complex tooth and jaw movements.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The foundational step toward a career in orthodontics is earning a four-year bachelor’s degree. While no specific major is required for dental school, prospective students often choose majors in the sciences, such as biology or chemistry. These fields provide a strong foundation for the rigorous coursework ahead and align well with dental school prerequisites.
Regardless of the chosen major, all applicants to dental school must complete a series of prerequisite courses. These typically include a full year of general chemistry with a laboratory component, a year of organic chemistry with its lab, and similar year-long sequences in both biology and physics. This coursework is designed to build a solid scientific understanding necessary for the advanced medical and anatomical studies that will follow in a professional dental program.
Completing these courses with high marks is a primary focus during the undergraduate years. Many students also gain relevant experience by volunteering or working in a dental clinic, which can strengthen their application. This practical exposure demonstrates a commitment to the field and provides a realistic perspective on the dental profession.
Pass the Dental Admission Test
After finishing an undergraduate degree, the next hurdle is the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This standardized exam is a requirement for entry into any accredited dental school in the United States. The test is designed to measure academic ability, scientific understanding, and perceptual skills relevant to succeeding in dental school.
The DAT is a comprehensive, multiple-choice examination broken down into four distinct sections:
- Survey of the Natural Sciences: Covers biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.
- Perceptual Ability Test: Evaluates spatial reasoning skills.
- Reading Comprehension: Assesses the ability to understand scientific texts.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Measures basic mathematical skills.
A competitive score on the DAT is a significant factor in the dental school application process. Each school has different expectations, but a high score can set an applicant apart. Preparation for this exam is an intensive process, with many students dedicating several months to studying.
Graduate from Dental School
Following acceptance, the next phase is a four-year dental school program. Upon completion, graduates earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. These two degrees are equivalent, and both signify that the individual is a fully qualified general dentist, as the curriculum and standards are the same.
The first two years are dedicated to preclinical, didactic coursework covering foundational sciences like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. This classroom-based learning provides the scientific basis for the clinical work that follows. Students also spend a significant amount of time in laboratories, learning hands-on techniques on models.
The final two years of dental school are predominantly clinical. Students transition from the classroom to working directly with patients in a supervised setting. This hands-on training allows them to gain experience in diagnosing and treating a wide array of dental conditions. It is during this time that they develop the core competencies of a general dentist, the platform from which they can pursue a specialty.
Complete an Orthodontic Residency Program
After graduating from dental school and becoming a dentist, the journey to becoming an orthodontist requires further, specialized education. A dentist must be accepted into an orthodontic residency program, which is a highly competitive process. These accredited programs last for two to three years and provide the training that separates an orthodontist from a general dentist.
The residency curriculum is focused on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Residents receive advanced instruction in areas such as biomechanics, craniofacial growth, and development. They learn to diagnose and treat complex cases of malocclusion, or “bad bites,” using appliances like braces, clear aligners, and retainers. The training also includes surgical orthodontics.
This period of study is a blend of advanced academic coursework and intensive clinical practice. Residents treat their own patients under the close supervision of faculty, managing cases from initial diagnosis to the final removal of appliances. Upon completion, the graduate is awarded a specialty certificate in orthodontics. Many programs also offer a Master of Science (M.S.) degree concurrently.
Obtain Licensure and Certification
After completing a residency, the final step before practicing is to obtain a state license. All dentists, including specialists, must pass a state or regional clinical examination to be legally permitted to practice in a specific state. This requirement ensures that every practicing orthodontist has met a standardized level of clinical competency.
Beyond mandatory state licensure, orthodontists have the option to pursue board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). This is a voluntary process that signifies a practitioner’s commitment to the highest standards of the specialty. Achieving board certification involves passing a rigorous set of written and clinical examinations.
While not required to practice, ABO certification is a highly respected credential within the field. It indicates that an orthodontist has gone above and beyond the minimum requirements for licensure. This distinction often provides an extra layer of confidence for patients seeking care, as it represents a dedication to excellence.