Orthodontists
What they do
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
About orthodontists
Other titles
Board Certified Orthodontist, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist, Orthodontist
Tasks they perform
- Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
- Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
Skills they need
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Licenses and Certifications
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
EQUINE DENTAL PROVIDER (EDP)
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
- License Type
- Stand-alone license
- Status
- Active
- Exam
- State exam required
- Education
- Specific course required
- Continuing education
- Continuing education required to maintain license
- Criminal record
- Specific type of conviction prohibited
- License Type
- Stand-alone license
- Status
- Active
- Exam
- Both state and third-party exams required
- Education
- Degree required
- Continuing education
- Continuing education required to maintain license
- Criminal record
- Specific type of conviction prohibited
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
Similar careers
View careers in the same field as orthodontists.
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Better pay
Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Dermatologists
Pediatric Surgeons
Additional career information and resources
Learn more about orthodontists with these helpful sites.
- Academy of General Dentistry (external link opens new tab)
- American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (external link opens new tab)
- American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (external link opens new tab)
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (external link opens new tab)
- American Academy of Periodontology (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of Endodontists (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of Orthodontists (external link opens new tab)
- American Association of Public Health Dentistry (external link opens new tab)
- American Board of Orthodontics (external link opens new tab)