What is an ORTHODONTIST?


Orthodontists are dental school graduates with additional speciality trainings.

There are three steps in an orthodontist’s education: college, dental school, and orthodontic school.

Similar to becoming a medical specialist, such as a surgeon or an internist, orthodontists complete orthodontic residency program for two to three years after dental school. There are more people who apply for orthodontic residencies than there are residencies available. In fact, there are about 15 applications for every opening.

While there’s some instruction regarding orthodontics in dental school, it is minimal. It’s in the orthodontic residency program that orthodontists receives intensive instruction to learn proper, safe tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). These extra years of schooling make the orthodontist the dental specialist in moving teeth and aligning jaws. This is the only focus of their practice.

You can refer to an orthodontist as:

  • An orthodontist
  • An orthodontic specialist
  • An orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedist

Orthodontists diagnose, prevent, intercept and treat dental and facial irregularities.

These problems may include teeth that are crowded or too far apart, teeth that meet abnormally or don’t meet at all, teeth that stick out, and mismatched jaws. Orthodontists treat existing problems, and can identify problems that are developing, and take timely action to resolve problems before they fully develops. Orthodontists treat patients of all ages, they regularly treat children, adolescents and adults.Orthodontists treat patients of all ages, they regularly treat children, adolescents and adults.

Orthodontists create a custom treatment plan for each patient.

Every patient is different. Orthodontists use in-person exams as well as 2D or 3D xrays, photos and molds of the teeth to create a personalized treatment plan for each and every patient.

Orthodontists use the full range of “appliances” to correct orthodontic problems. The “appliance” is the term used for the device that moves teeth. It can be traditional braces, clear aligners or braces on the inside of the teeth. The orthodontist is uniquely qualified to recommend the most appropriate type of “appliance” to correct an individual’s problem.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves orthodontists have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-tothree years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.

Board Certified Orthodontist

There are board-certified orthodontists.
In the United States, some orthodontists opt to become board-certified. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certifies orthodontists who have graduated from fully accredited residency programs. Those who are board-certified by the ABO are known as Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics.

In the US, board certification is voluntary. Other jurisdictions, such as Canada, require board certification by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) in order to be considered licensed specialists. And now you

know the facts about orthodontists!

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is open exclusively to orthodontists – only orthodontists are admitted for membership. The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” have graduated from dental school and then successfully completed the additional two-to-three years of education in an accredited orthodontic residency program.

When you choose an AAO orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected a specialist orthodontist, an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile. Locate AAO orthodontists through Find an Orthodontist at aaoinfo.org.

Why Orthodontics?


Oral health is a window into your overall health. Orthodontic treatment helps ensure proper function of teeth and create healthy smiles. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak. Teeth that are misaligned are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures (aaoinfo.org).

Working together with your orthodontist, orthodontic treatment can yield life-enhancing results: better function (biting, chewing, speaking). Our advice: keep your scheduled appointments, advise your orthodontist of problems that may popup between appointments, watch what you eat and drink, avoid sugary drinks and brush and floss as instructed by your orthodontist. It’s worth the effort to reach the goal you and your orthodontist share – giving you a healthy smile that will last a lifetime (aaoinfo.org)

How Does Orthodontics work?

Orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix. It is a complex biological process. It involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones and soft tissue as teeth are moved into their new positions. Your care often starts with a thorough examination of the teeth and mouth, and study of dental records such as x-rays, photos and models of the teeth. From this, your orthodontist can develop a custom treatment plan.

Working together with your orthodontist, orthodontic treatment can yield life-enhancing results: better function (biting, chewing, speaking). Our advice: keep your scheduled appointments, advise your orthodontist of problems that may popup between appointments, watch what you eat and drink, avoid sugary drinks and brush and floss as instructed by your orthodontist. It’s worth the effort to reach the goal you and your orthodontist share – giving you a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. (aaoinfo.org)

What is Orthodontics?


The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy, functional “bite,” which is part tooth alignment and part jaw position. When jaws and teeth line up correctly, they are able to function as nature intended. This promotes oral health and general physical health. That orthodontic treatment also brings about an attractive smile is an added bonus (aaoinfo.org)