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Orthodontists
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.
Other titles employers use
Board Certified Orthodontist · Orthodontic Dentist · Orthodontic Specialist · Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist · Orthodontics Doctor · Orthodontist · Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist · Invisible Braces Orthodontist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.8 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.6 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 88%
- A certificate or some college 8%
- A four-year degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web page creation and editing software
- Office suite software
- Medical software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Development environment software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,300
- Job openings each year
- 50
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,300 | 50 | 8.3% |
| Illinois | 720 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 420 | 10 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | 310 | 10 | 6.9% |
| Alabama | 250 | 10 | 13.6% |
| Connecticut | 250 | 10 | 19.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 220 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Indiana | 200 | 10 | — |
| Virginia | 200 | 10 | 17.6% |
| Michigan | 160 | 10 | — |
| Arizona | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wisconsin | 110 | 0 | 10.0% |
| Washington | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Iowa | 90 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Kansas | 90 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Ohio | 80 | 0 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 80 | 0 | 14.3% |
| Idaho | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Louisiana | 70 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 60 | 0 | — |
| Mississippi | 50 | 0 | — |
| Colorado | 30 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Maine | 30 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 30 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
| Nebraska | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
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