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Orthodontist

💰 Earn $101K-$239K

📚 Doctoral or Professional Degree

⏱️ 48 Month Training

📈 4.4% Job Growth

Transform smiles and boost confidence by correcting dental misalignments.
Improve oral health and aesthetics, impacting patients' lives positively.
Craft custom dental appliances for unique, personalized treatments.

What Orthodontists DoExamine, 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.

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.
Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.

Orthodontists Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationDoctoral or Professional Degree

Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training TimeOver 4 years

Job Openings200 Annually

Median Earnings

$101,420 in California

$239,200 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Relating with or serving others
Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

you value

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

you are skilled in

Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Learning Strategies
Instructing

Go Deeper: Orthodontists Explained

OrthodontistExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

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