Orthodontists


Overview

Introduction

Orth means "straight" and odont means "tooth." Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose problems with teeth, jaws, and lower facial development and treat malpositioned and misaligned teeth and jaws. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 6,500 orthodontists work in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$208,000

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

Medical Degree


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Experience

Internship


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Skills

Interpersonal|Mechanical/Manual Dexterity|Scientific


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Personality Traits

Helpful|Problem-Solving|Scientific

Earnings

Orthodontists earnings are influenced by factors such as the size of the practice, the amount of experience the orthodontist has, and the size of the population in which he or she works. Despite such variables, though, orthodontists can generally expect to have high earnings.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the mean annual earnings for orthodontists were $208,000 in May 2019, w...

Work Environment

The patients area in an orthodontists office, like a dentists office, is a sterile environment containing such things as orthodontic chairs, supply cabinets, and assorted orthodontic instruments. Orthodontists also usually have a separate office where they do their paperwork and take care of other office matters. Orthodontists often work regular business hours four or five days a week. To accom...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for orthodontists will grow by 7 percent, faster than the average for all careers, through 2028. Since our society values physical attractiveness, the motivation to receive orthodontic treatment can be cosmetic in nature, and demand for these services should continue to be strong. But because orthodontics is largely an optional procedure, po...