What This Guide Covers
A common question is, how long does it take to become an orthodontist? The short answer is about 10 to 11 years after high school. This guide breaks down each step along the way.
It is written for students thinking about the field, parents helping a teen plan, and patients who want to understand the training behind their care. Knowing the path to becoming an orthodontist shows why the work calls for so many years of school. It also helps you choose the right provider when you need orthodontic care.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on tooth and jaw alignment. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, every orthodontist first trains as a general dentist, then completes extra training in a residency. [1] That added training is the main reason this path runs longer than the one for a general dentist.
The Path to Becoming an Orthodontist
The path to becoming an orthodontist has four main stages: an undergraduate degree, dental training, a residency, and licensing. Each stage builds on the one before it.
Together these stages take most people 10 or 11 years. The exact length depends on the program and the choices a student makes. Below is a closer look at how many years each step usually takes.
Step One: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
The first step is a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years. There is no single required major. Most students choose biology, chemistry, or another science, because dental schools expect strong coursework in these subjects. An undergraduate degree with good grades and lab experience builds the foundation for what comes next.
During college, students prepare for and take the Dental Admission Test, often called the DAT. This exam measures knowledge in science, reading, and reasoning. Schools use Dental Admission Test scores, grades, and other factors to decide who they admit. Strong scores can make a real difference in a competitive applicant pool.
Step Two: Complete Dental School
Dental school usually takes four years and leads to a dental degree. The early years focus on dental medicine and basic science. The later years move into clinical practice, where students treat patients under close supervision. By graduation, a student has handled a wide range of common dental problems.
Graduates earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). According to the American Dental Association, these two degrees are equivalent and cover the same training. [2] The name simply depends on the school. To complete dental school, students must pass written and clinical exams and meet their state's rules.
At this point, a graduate can work as a general dentist. To become an orthodontist, though, the training continues into a residency.
Step Three: Finish an Orthodontic Residency
After dental school, future orthodontists enter an orthodontic residency. This residency, sometimes called an orthodontics program, usually takes two to three years. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, this extra training is what separates an orthodontist from a general dentist. [1]
An orthodontic residency program focuses on diagnosing and correcting problems with tooth position and jaw alignment. Residents learn to plan and deliver orthodontic treatment with braces, clear aligners, and other tools. They treat many patients during these years, so they build deep skill in moving teeth safely and predictably.
Admission to an orthodontic residency is competitive. Programs accept a small number of residents each year. Strong grades during this training and a clear interest in orthodontics help applicants stand out.
Step Four: Get Licensed and Board Certified
Before treating patients on their own, an orthodontist must hold a license. Each state sets its own rules, which usually include passing national and state exams. A license lets a graduate legally practice orthodontics.
Some orthodontists also choose to become board certified. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, a board certified orthodontist has passed extra exams through the American Board of Orthodontics. [1] Board certification is voluntary and goes beyond the basic license. It is usually renewed over time.
Choosing a board certified orthodontist gives patients one clear signal of added training. Still, many skilled orthodontists practice without it. Board certification is one factor among several to weigh.
What to Know About Timing and Preparation
Most people who become an orthodontist start preparing in college and finish their training in their late twenties. Planning early makes the long path easier to manage.
If you are aiming for this field, strong science grades matter from the start of your bachelor's degree. Volunteering or working in a dental office can confirm your interest. Shadowing an orthodontist shows you what daily clinical practice looks like before you commit to the years of school ahead.
Timing varies from person to person. Some students take a gap year before dental school. Others apply to an orthodontics program right after graduating. These choices change how many years the full path takes.
For patients, the long training behind this field means an orthodontist brings focused skill to your oral health. That skill supports a straight and healthy smile and helps address oral health concerns linked to poor tooth and jaw alignment.
What to Expect Step by Step
Here is what the road to becoming an orthodontist looks like year by year, from the first day of college to independent practice.
Each stage has clear exams and milestones. Missing a step, such as failing a required exam, can add time. Most students who stay on track reach independent practice after many years of study, about a decade in total.
- Years 1 to 4: Earn a four year college degree and take the Dental Admission Test.
- Years 5 to 8: Complete dental school and earn a DDS or DMD.
- Years 9 to 11: Finish an orthodontic residency program, usually two to three years.
- After training: Earn a license to practice, then decide whether to become board certified.
Cost of Becoming an Orthodontist
The cost of becoming an orthodontist varies widely. Tuition for college and dental school is the largest expense, and the amount differs a great deal from one school to the next.
Several factors shape the total. They include whether a school is public or private, in-state or out-of-state tuition, and the cost of living in the area. Costs vary by school, location, and personal circumstances, so it is best to check current figures with each program directly.
Residency affects cost too. Some orthodontic residency programs charge tuition, while others provide a stipend. Many students use loans, scholarships, and savings to cover their training. Because these numbers change often and differ by program, exact figures here would be misleading.
There is no insurance to offset the cost of this education. The investment reflects the many years of training the career requires.
When to See a Board Certified Orthodontist
See an orthodontist when you have problems with tooth or jaw alignment that a general dentist does not handle. A specialist focuses only on these issues.
Many general dentists offer some orthodontic treatment, such as clear aligners for mild cases. For complex bite or jaw alignment problems, a board certified orthodontist brings the focused training described above. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontists complete years of extra residency in this exact area. [1]
Signs that point to specialty care include crowded or crooked teeth, a bite that does not meet evenly, jaw pain, and trouble chewing. Children can benefit from an early check, since some problems are easier to guide while the jaw is still growing. You can learn more on the orthodontics page.
For routine cleanings and general oral health, a general dentist is the right choice. For braces, aligners, and bite correction, an orthodontist is often the better fit. Both work together to support a healthy smile.
Find a Board Certified Orthodontist
Now that you understand the path to becoming an orthodontist, you can choose a provider with more confidence. If you want care for tooth or jaw alignment, look for a qualified or board certified orthodontist near you. Visit the orthodontics page to learn more and connect with specialists who can help you work toward a straight and healthy smile.
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