Orthodontist

Duties & Responsibilities: Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both.

Salary: Hourly Wage

$37.50 $53.00 $71.00 $101 $128

Annual Wage

$78,000 $110,240 $147,680 $210,080 $266240

Percentile

10% 25% 50% 75% 90%

Education: Dental schools require a minimum of 2 years of college-level pre-dental education, regardless of the major chosen. However, most dental students have at least a bachelor’s degree. Pre-dental education emphasizes coursework in science, and many applicants to dental school major in a science such as biology or chemistry, while other applicants major in another subject and take many science courses as well. A few applicants are accepted to dental school after 2 or 3 years of college and complete their bachelor’s degree while attending dental school.

Reflection: Orthodontists typically deal with hardware such as retainers and headgear with the goal of aligning teeth to improve the appearance or the ability of the person to chew and swallow food without difficulty or pain.