What You'll Do

  • Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
  • 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.
  • Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
  • Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
  • Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
  • Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
  • Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
  • Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
  • Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.
  • Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Monitoring 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Reading Comprehension 3.88/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.88/5
Coordination 3.88/5
Active Learning 3.75/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.75/5
Time Management 3.75/5
Writing 3.38/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Dependability, Concern for Others, Independence

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Ada Adstra Systems ADSTRA Management Advance Ortho Systems Program Director Algorithm Compu-Ceph American Orthodontics Compu-Ceph American Orthodontics Photo-Eze Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management EZappt Facebook FYI Technologies Dr. Ceph FYI Technologies Dr. View GAC International OrthoPlex ICE Dental Systems IMS Specialty Services IMS Digital Office Innovative Software Inn-Soft Office Manager Katchitek Corporation OrthoManager Kodak Dental Systems Kodak ORTHOWARE Microsoft Office software New Horizons Software OrthoExec Oasys structural design and analysis software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.97/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.8/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.78/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.74/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.66/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

Similar Careers to Explore

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

99.9% similar profile

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

99.7% similar profile

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

99.4% similar profile

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

99.3% similar profile

Dentists, General

99.2% similar profile

Dermatologists

99.2% similar profile

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

99.2% similar profile

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

99.2% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Board Certified Orthodontist Dental Treatment Coordinator Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist Invisible Braces Orthodontist Orthodontic Dentist Orthodontic Specialist Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist Orthodontics Doctor Orthodontist Pediatric Orthodontist