An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
All orthodontists are dentists, but only about six percent of dentists are orthodontists.
Admission to orthodontic programs is extremely competitive and selective. After dental school, at least two or three academic years of advanced specialty education in an ADA-accredited orthodontic program is required to be an orthodontists. The program includes advanced education in biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences. Only dentists who have successfully completed these advanced specialty education programs may call themselves orthodontists.