Overview: Orthodontist vs Dentist Salary
Orthodontists usually earn more than general dentists because they complete additional training and treat a narrower set of conditions. Both protect oral health, but their daily work differs.
This guide explains the key differences between these two careers. It is written for patients, students weighing a path in dental medicine, and anyone curious about why a specialist often earns more money than a general dentist. We focus on what each provider does, how their training compares, and what drives salary differences.
You will also learn when your own oral health needs a general dentist and when it calls for an orthodontist. Understanding these roles helps you choose the right provider and set realistic expectations about dental care and cost.
Key Differences Between Orthodontists and Dentists
The main difference is scope. A general dentist treats a wide range of oral health problems, while an orthodontist focuses only on tooth and jaw alignment. Both begin with the same dental school foundation.
What General Dentists Do
General dentists are the providers most people see for routine dental care. They examine teeth and gums, take X-rays, and build treatment plans for everyday oral health. Their work includes cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and managing gum disease [2].
A general dentist also screens for problems and refers patients to specialists when a case needs deeper expertise. Many general dentists own their own dental practice, while others work in group settings. Dental assistants and hygienists often support the dentist during procedures.
What Orthodontists Do
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who corrects crooked teeth and misaligned bites. After dental school, an orthodontist completes a residency focused only on moving teeth and guiding jaw growth [1].
Orthodontists design and manage treatment with braces and clear aligners. They track tooth movement over months or years and adjust the plan as needed. Because they limit their work to alignment, most orthodontists do not perform fillings, root canals, or general dental surgery. You can learn more on the orthodontics page.
Different Types of Dental Providers
Dentistry includes several different types of providers beyond general dentists and orthodontists. Oral surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists each complete extra residency training in their field. These specialists often earn more than general dentists for the same reason orthodontists do: focused expertise and additional years of education in dental medicine.
What to Know About Training and Salary Differences
Salary differences start with training. Orthodontists spend two to three years in residency after dental school, and that added expertise tends to raise earning potential [1].
A general dentist can begin practicing right after dental school and licensing. An orthodontist must first finish that same degree, then complete a competitive specialty program. This longer path is the most common reason an orthodontist reports a higher average annual salary than a general dentist.
Experience also shapes pay. Early-career providers in both roles usually earn less than those who have built a steady patient base. Owning a dental practice, working longer hours, and handling more complex cases can all increase income over time. Because of these factors, salary range figures from labor statistics overlap, and individual results vary.
What to Expect From Each Career Path
Expect a shared start and a branching path. Both careers require a dental degree, but an orthodontist adds residency training before practicing.
Step one is dental school, a four-year program in dental medicine after a bachelor's degree. Students learn to diagnose and treat oral health problems across the whole mouth. Graduates earn a DDS or DMD degree, which are equivalent.
Step two differs by goal. To work as a general dentist, a graduate passes licensing exams and begins seeing patients for broad dental care. To become an orthodontist, the graduate applies to a residency, completes two to three years of focused study, and then practices only orthodontics [1].
Day to day, general dentists work across many procedures and see a varied schedule. Orthodontists see a steadier flow of alignment cases, often with shorter, repeat visits. Both rely on dental assistants and other staff to keep the practice running.
Salary Factors and What Drives the Numbers
Several factors drive salary differences between orthodontists and general dentists. Specialty training, location, practice ownership, and case mix matter most. Reported figures vary by location, provider, and case complexity.
Geography has a strong effect. Providers in high-cost regions often report higher pay, but their expenses are also higher. Practice setting matters too: a provider who owns a dental practice may earn more money than an employed provider, though ownership carries financial risk.
Specialization usually lifts earnings. Because orthodontists complete extra training and concentrate on alignment, their average annual salary commonly sits above that of a general dentist. Still, a busy general dentist in a thriving practice can out-earn an early-career orthodontist. Public salary range data from labor statistics describes broad averages, not what any one person will make. Treat any single figure with caution and remember that results vary.
When to See a General Dentist vs an Orthodontist
See a general dentist for routine oral health and most problems with teeth and gums. See an orthodontist when teeth are crooked or your bite does not line up correctly.
Your general dentist is the right first stop for cleanings, cavities, root canals, gum disease, and oral health checkups [2]. They can spot alignment issues early and refer you to a specialist when needed. For many patients, the general dentist coordinates overall dental care.
An orthodontist is the right choice when the main concern is alignment. Signs include crowded or crooked teeth, gaps, an overbite, an underbite, or jaws that do not meet evenly [1]. Children are often screened around age seven so an orthodontist can plan treatment as the jaw grows. Adults can begin orthodontic care at any age once their oral health is stable.
Find an Orthodontist Near You
If your teeth are crooked or your bite feels off, an orthodontist can review your options and explain what treatment would involve. Use My Specialty Dentist to compare providers and start a conversation about your oral health. Visit the orthodontics page to learn more and connect with a specialist near you.
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