To become an orthodontist, you'll earn a bachelor's degree, complete dental school for a DDS or DMD, then finish an accredited orthodontic residency, which BLS says typically lasts 2 to 4 years for dental specialties. You'll also need a state dental license, and some states require a separate specialty license or exam.
Orthodontics is a dental specialty, so you become a dentist first and a specialist second. Here's how long it takes and what it pays.
Figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for dentists and the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), read on 26 October 2026.
How to become an orthodontist, step by step
- Finish a bachelor's degree. Most dental schools require one, plus science courses such as biology and chemistry. A science major is often preferred but not required.
- Take the dental school entrance exam. Schools weigh it alongside your grades, interviews and recommendations.
- Earn your DDS or DMD. Dental school includes coursework in anatomy, local anesthesia and radiology plus supervised clinical work with patients.
- Get your dental license. Most states require the degree, a written exam and a state or regional clinical exam.
- Complete an orthodontic residency. Dental specialty training usually takes 2 to 4 years and often ends with a postdoctoral certificate or master's degree.
- Get licensed as a specialist. BLS says practicing a specialty needs a license in that specialty, which requires the residency and, in some cases, a special state exam.
Board certification is a choice, and a selling point
Here's what most people don't realize. Once you're licensed, board certification with the American Board of Orthodontics is a separate, voluntary step. The ABO reports that more than half of all American Association of Orthodontists members are now ABO board certified, and it renews certification on a 10-year cycle.
Why bother? Certification is a signal patients can check, and the ABO promotes board-certified orthodontists to the public. In a field where many practices compete for the same families, that independent badge can help.
What orthodontists earn
| Dental occupation | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | $352,220 |
| Prosthodontists | $311,180 |
| Orthodontists | $289,140 |
| Dentists, general | $170,950 |
Those figures are as of October 2026. Orthodontists earned well above general dentists. BLS counted 7,100 orthodontists in 2025, a small group compared with 141,900 general dentists, and it projects employment of dentists overall to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035.
What orthodontists do
BLS describes orthodontists as dentists who straighten teeth by applying pressure with braces or other appliances. BLS says 78% of dentists work in offices of dentists and 12 in every 100 are self-employed, so owning or joining a practice is a common path.
If you plan to run a practice, technology helps with the admin. Our guide to the best AI tools for dentists covers the options, and these tools for filling appointment gaps help keep chairs full.
Is orthodontics a fit for you?
- Am I ready for a long road? College, dental school and residency add up to many years.
- Do I enjoy seeing the same patients over time? Straightening teeth isn't a one-visit job.
- Will I run a practice? Many orthodontists do, so business skills matter.
- Which state will I work in? Specialty licensing rules vary.
Getting into dental school
The competition starts well before residency. BLS says dental schools use an entrance exam alongside grade point average, interviews and recommendations, and they may prefer applicants with a science degree such as biology. It also suggests that students interested in dentistry take biology, chemistry and math as early as high school.
Orthodontics is one of several dental specialties, and it helps to know the others before you choose. BLS lists endodontists, who perform root canal therapy; oral and maxillofacial surgeons, who operate on the mouth and jaws; pediatric dentists, who focus on children and special-needs patients; periodontists, who treat the gums and supporting bone; and prosthodontists, among others. Each needs its own residency, so shadow a few before you commit.
How long each stage takes
| Stage | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | Usually 4 years |
| Dental school (DDS or DMD) | Usually 4 years |
| Orthodontic residency | 2 to 4 years for dental specialties |
| Licensing exams | Written and clinical exams, plus a specialty license where required |
| ABO board certification (optional) | After licensing, renewed every 10 years |
Add it up and you're looking at roughly a decade of study after high school before you practice as an orthodontist. Plan your finances for that, and look for residency programs early.
My verdict
Becoming an orthodontist means becoming a dentist first, then winning a residency place and completing 2 to 4 more years of training. It's a long route, but orthodontists earned a median well above general dentists in the BLS data. Aim for strong grades through dental school, look closely at residency programs, and consider ABO certification once you're licensed to stand out.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an orthodontist?
A bachelor's degree, dental school, then a 2 to 4 year specialty residency, plus licensing exams along the way.
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Do you have to be a dentist to become an orthodontist?
Yes. You need a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental program before an orthodontic residency.
How much do orthodontists make?
BLS reports a median of $289,140 a year for orthodontists in May 2025.
Is board certification required for orthodontists?
No. ABO certification is a separate, voluntary step after licensing, renewed on a 10-year cycle.
How many orthodontists are there in the US?
BLS counted 7,100 orthodontists in 2025.
Do orthodontists need a specialty license?
BLS says practicing a dental specialty requires a license in that specialty, which needs the residency and sometimes a state exam.
What do orthodontists do?
They straighten teeth by applying pressure with braces or other appliances.
What should I study to become an orthodontist?
Any bachelor's degree can work, but dental schools may prefer science majors such as biology, and they require courses like biology and chemistry.
What other dental specialties are there?
BLS lists endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics, among others.
Do orthodontists earn more than dentists?
Yes. BLS reports a median of $289,140 for orthodontists and $170,950 for general dentists in May 2025.
Can you start preparing in high school?
Yes. BLS suggests taking biology, chemistry and math as early as high school.
