Are Orthodontists Doctors? Yes, Here’s Why
Are orthodontists doctors? Yes: they earn a DDS or DMD, then complete 2 to 3 more years of orthodontic residency training after dental school.
Yes, orthodontists are doctors. Every practicing orthodontist first completes dental school and earns a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree, the same doctoral-level degree every general dentist holds. Then, before they can call themselves an orthodontist, they complete an additional 2 to 3 years of full-time, accredited residency training focused entirely on tooth movement and jaw alignment.
That extra step is what separates an orthodontist from a general dentist, and it’s also the source of most of the confusion around this question. An orthodontist is a dentist, and a dentist is a doctor, but an orthodontist is not the same thing as a physician (an MD or DO). Understanding that distinction, along with the basics of how a tooth is actually structured and anchored in the jaw, is the key to answering the question completely, not just with a yes or no.
What Degree Do Orthodontists Actually Hold?
Orthodontists hold a DDS or a DMD, the two dental degrees awarded by accredited U.S. dental schools. Neither degree is “lesser” than the other. DDS and DMD programs use the same curriculum, the same Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards, and the same national board exams. The letters simply reflect which name a particular university chose to use when it started awarding the degree.
Both degrees require, at minimum:
- A bachelor’s degree, typically with a strong science background (most applicants complete pre-dental coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics)
- Four years of dental school, covering biomedical sciences (anatomy, pharmacology, pathology) for the first two years and supervised clinical patient care for the final two
- A passing score on the national dental licensing examination
At this point, a graduate is a licensed general dentist and, like a physician, holds a doctoral-level clinical degree. They just aren’t an orthodontist yet.
The Extra Step That Makes Someone an Orthodontist
To become an orthodontist, a licensed dentist has to apply to and complete a CODA-accredited orthodontic residency, a full-time postgraduate program that runs 24 to 36 months. That’s roughly 3,700 additional hours of training focused exclusively on how teeth move through bone, how jaws grow and align, and how to plan and manage multi-year treatment with braces or aligners.
This is comparable in structure to how a physician becomes a surgeon or a cardiologist: general training first, then a specialty residency that narrows the focus and deepens the skill set. Only someone who has completed this residency is legally permitted to call themselves an “orthodontist.” A general dentist who puts on braces without that training is still a dentist, not an orthodontist, no matter how many patients they treat.
Many orthodontists go a step further and pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), the specialty’s certifying board. Board certification is voluntary in most states, so an orthodontist doesn’t have to be board-certified to practice legally, but it does involve an additional written and clinical examination that verifies a consistently high standard of care.
Orthodontist vs. Dentist: Same Doctor, Different Focus
| General Dentist | Orthodontist | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | DDS or DMD | DDS or DMD |
| Dental school | 4 years | 4 years |
| Additional residency | Not required | 2 to 3 years, CODA-accredited |
| Primary focus | Overall oral health: cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, gum disease | Diagnosing and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws (malocclusion) |
| Typical tools | Fillings, crowns, veneers, root canals | Braces, clear aligners, retainers, palatal expanders, orthodontic headgear |
| Can perform general dentistry? | Yes | Technically yes, but almost none do; they limit their practice to orthodontics |
Every orthodontist is a dentist, but the reverse isn’t true. A general dentist who hasn’t completed an orthodontic residency isn’t an orthodontist, even if their office offers braces. That’s a genuinely common point of confusion: some general dentists do provide basic orthodontic treatment, but without the residency, they’re practicing outside their specialty training, and results can vary. If your case involves a complex bite problem, jaw surgery coordination, or a child’s growth pattern, a board-eligible or board-certified orthodontist has the deeper training for it.
Orthodontist vs. Physician (MD/DO): Where the Confusion Comes From
This is the part most articles on this topic skip, and it’s usually the real question behind the search. People aren’t just asking “does this person have a doctoral degree.” They’re asking “is my orthodontist the same kind of doctor as my physician?” The honest answer is no.
- Degree type. A physician earns an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) after four years of medical school. An orthodontist earns a DDS or DMD after four years of dental school. Both are legitimate doctoral degrees that qualify the holder to diagnose and treat patients within their scope, but they’re separate degree tracks with separate licensing exams and separate state boards.
- Scope of practice. A physician is trained and licensed to diagnose and treat conditions throughout the entire body. An orthodontist’s license and training are limited to the teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral structures. An orthodontist cannot treat a sinus infection unrelated to your teeth or manage your blood pressure medication.
- Use of the title “Dr.” Orthodontists, like general dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and psychologists with doctoral degrees, are entitled to use “Dr.” professionally. This is a standard, legitimate convention tied to holding a doctoral degree, not an attempt to imply they’re a physician. Some states require these providers to clarify their specific credential (for example, “Dr. Smith, DDS”) in advertising, precisely to avoid the confusion this search query reflects.
So when someone asks “are orthodontists doctors,” the most complete answer is: yes, in the sense that they hold an accredited doctoral degree, are licensed to diagnose and treat within their field, and are addressed as “Dr.” No, in the sense that they are not medical physicians (MDs or DOs) and don’t share a physician’s general medical training or scope.
Can Orthodontists Prescribe Medication?
Yes, within limits. Because they hold a dental license, orthodontists can write prescriptions related to oral and orthodontic care, most commonly:
- Pain relievers for soreness after adjustments or appliance placement
- Antibiotics for a dental infection connected to orthodontic treatment
- Muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories for jaw (TMJ) discomfort
They generally do not prescribe medications outside that scope, like blood pressure medication or antidepressants, since that falls outside a dental license and would require you to see a physician. Most patients never need a prescription during orthodontic treatment at all; over-the-counter pain relievers and a few days of a softer diet usually resolve normal adjustment soreness.
When to See a Dentist vs. an Orthodontist
A simple way to think about the difference: your general dentist is your primary care provider for oral health, and your orthodontist is the specialist your dentist refers you to for alignment problems.
See a general dentist for:
- Routine cleanings and checkups
- Cavities, fillings, and crowns
- Tooth extractions
- Gum disease treatment
See an orthodontist for:
- Crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth
- An overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite
- A jaw that shifts, clicks, or doesn’t align comfortably when you bite down
- A first orthodontic evaluation for a child (most guidance points to age 7 as a good starting point, even if braces aren’t needed yet, so any developing bite problems can be caught early)
You don’t always need a dentist’s referral to book a consultation directly with an orthodontist, though some dental insurance plans require one before they’ll cover treatment. It’s worth checking your plan’s specific rules before scheduling.
Common Misconceptions About Orthodontists
“My dentist puts on braces, so my dentist is an orthodontist.” Not necessarily. Some general dentists offer basic orthodontic treatment without having completed a residency. That’s legal in most states, but it isn’t the same credential as a board-eligible orthodontist.
“Orthodontists are just cosmetic specialists.” Alignment affects more than appearance. Crowded or misaligned teeth are harder to clean thoroughly, which raises the risk of cavities and gum disease, and a poor bite can contribute to uneven wear, jaw strain, and speech issues over time.
“DDS is a lower degree than DMD, or vice versa.” They are the same degree under different names. Neither indicates more or less training.
“All orthodontists are board-certified.” Board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics is voluntary in most states. A non-board-certified orthodontist has still completed the required residency and is fully licensed; certification is an additional, optional credential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontists
Is an orthodontist a “real” doctor?
Yes. Orthodontists complete an accredited doctoral program (DDS or DMD) plus a CODA-accredited orthodontic residency, and they’re licensed by their state dental board to diagnose and treat patients within that scope. “Real doctor” in the sense of holding a legitimate, rigorous doctoral credential applies to them just as it does to physicians, even though the training paths differ.
Is an orthodontist the same as an MD?
No. An MD is a physician who completed medical school and is licensed to practice medicine broadly. An orthodontist completed dental school and an orthodontic residency and is licensed to practice dentistry within the orthodontic specialty. They’re both doctoral-level, licensed professionals, but in different fields with different scopes.
What’s the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
Nothing in terms of training or rigor. Both degrees use identical curriculum and accreditation standards; the letters just reflect which name the awarding university uses.
Do I need a referral from a dentist to see an orthodontist?
Not usually, but check your dental insurance plan. Many plans let you book directly with an orthodontist, though some require a referral from your general dentist before they’ll help cover the cost.
How long does it take to become an orthodontist?
Roughly 10 to 11 years after high school: about 4 years of undergraduate study, 4 years of dental school, and 2 to 3 years of orthodontic residency.
Can orthodontists perform surgery?
Orthodontists plan and coordinate treatment for cases that require jaw surgery, but the surgery itself is typically performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a different dental specialist. The orthodontist manages the tooth movement before and after surgery.
Key Takeaways
Orthodontists are doctors in every meaningful professional sense: they hold an accredited doctoral degree (DDS or DMD), complete years of additional specialized residency training, and are licensed to diagnose and treat patients within their field. What they are not is a physician (MD or DO); their training and license are specific to teeth, jaws, and bite alignment, not general medicine. If you’re choosing between a general dentist and an orthodontist for a specific problem, the simplest guide is this: routine oral health goes to your dentist, and anything involving how your teeth or jaws are positioned goes to an orthodontist, ideally one who has completed a CODA-accredited residency and, if possible, is board-certified through the American Board of Orthodontics.
