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Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dental specialists who transform smiles and enhance oral health, making a significant impact on patients' lives across the UK and globally. By correcting misaligned teeth and jaws, they not only improve aesthetics but also contribute to overall dental function and health.
Degree usually required
AI impact: low££££ payUni route
8
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a orthodontist? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.
What you'd actually do
As an Orthodontist, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for your patients by creating beautiful, healthy smiles. This specialized position requires not only clinical expertise but also a deep understanding of patient needs and emotional well-being. Working in a fast-paced dental practice, you will encounter diverse cases, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for innovation.
Your day-to-day activities will involve a blend of technical skill and interpersonal communication. You will start your day by reviewing patient files, preparing for consultations, and ensuring that you are equipped with the latest tools and technologies. Each patient will require a thorough assessment, where you will evaluate their dental structure, discuss their concerns, and set realistic expectations for their treatment journey.
- In developing treatment plans, you will leverage your knowledge of orthodontic appliances, from traditional braces to cutting-edge clear aligners. You will carefully consider factors such as age, dental health, and lifestyle to craft a bespoke plan that maximizes results while minimizing discomfort.
- Monitoring progress is a critical aspect of your role. You will schedule regular follow-ups, during which you will assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make adjustments as necessary. This hands-on approach is vital to ensuring that each patient achieves their desired outcome.
- Education is a key component of orthodontic practice. You will spend time informing patients and their families about the importance of maintaining oral hygiene during treatment and the long-term benefits of orthodontic care. Your ability to communicate complex information in an accessible manner will greatly enhance patient compliance and satisfaction.
- Collaboration with other dental professionals is essential. You will work closely with general dentists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists to provide comprehensive care, ensuring that all aspects of a patient’s dental health are addressed.
- As you navigate the challenges of this rewarding profession, you will also find joy in witnessing the transformation of your patients' smiles and confidence. Each successful case serves as a testament to your skill and dedication.
In summary, being an Orthodontist is not just about straightening teeth; it’s about changing lives. With a commitment to lifelong learning and patient-centered care, you will thrive in this dynamic field, making a lasting impact on the health and happiness of those you serve.
1Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and diagnostic evaluations using advanced imaging techniques.
2Develop and implement personalized treatment plans, including braces and aligners, tailored to individual patient needs.
3Monitor patient progress throughout treatment, making necessary adjustments to appliances to ensure optimal results.
4Educate patients and their families about oral hygiene practices and the importance of orthodontic care.
5Collaborate with dental teams, including general dentists and oral surgeons, to ensure comprehensive patient care.
6Stay updated on the latest orthodontic technologies and techniques through continuous professional development.
7Manage patient records and treatment documentation with precision and confidentiality.
8Provide exceptional customer service, addressing patient concerns and fostering a welcoming environment.
Career progression & pay
01
Getting in
Junior Orthodontist
£40,000
Dental Degree
As a junior orthodontist, you will assist in patient care and treatment planning under the supervision of experienced orthodontists.
02
Building up
Mid-Level Orthodontist
£60,000
2-5 years of experience
In this role, you will manage your own patient caseload, providing treatment plans and adjustments independently.
03
At the top
Senior Orthodontist
£100,000+
Extensive experience and specialisation
Senior orthodontists lead treatment teams, mentor junior staff, and may also engage in research or teaching.
Degrees that lead here via Medicine and Dentistry
Applied Medical Sciences
University College London
Bachelor of Dental Hygiene
University of Bristol
Bachelor of Dental Therapy
University of Bristol
Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery
University of Sunderland
Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery
The University of Kent
Apprenticeships that lead here
No apprenticeship standard maps directly yet - the university or college route is the main way in.
Who hires - top UK employers
Bupa Dental Care
Leading dental care provider with a focus on orthodontics.
MyDentist
One of the largest dental groups in the UK, offering orthodontic services.
Dentist Direct
Specialises in orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.
AI & the future of this job
Orthodontics sits firmly in the AI-resistant zone because the core of the work is physical, tactile, and built on years of hands-on clinical training. AI is genuinely useful here as a diagnostic aid, with tools like Dental Monitoring and AI-assisted cephalometric analysis already in use, but these assist the orthodontist rather than replace them. Fitting brackets, taking clinical impressions, adjusting archwires, and reading the nuanced biological response of a patient's dentition across months of treatment all require a trained human in the room. Patient relationships, informed consent conversations, and clinical judgement under uncertainty keep this role deeply human-led.
Within 5 Years
Workflow tools adopted
Over the next five years, AI-powered imaging analysis and treatment planning software like SureSmile and Invisitrak will become standard practice tools rather than novelties. These will speed up diagnosis and reduce time spent on administrative planning, but every clinical decision still requires your sign-off and physical execution. Expect to learn these platforms as part of continuing professional development rather than fear them. Your caseload may actually increase as planning efficiency improves.
Within 10 Years
Stronger AI assistance
By the mid-2030s, AI will likely handle a significant portion of treatment simulation, outcome prediction, and patient progress monitoring through remote scanning apps. This shifts some of the monitoring burden away from in-clinic appointments, potentially restructuring how practices manage patient flow. Orthodontists who build skills in interpreting AI-generated data and integrating it into clinical decisions will be more efficient and more competitive. The profession reshapes around the technology rather than being displaced by it.
Within 20 Years
Augmented, not replaced
Looking twenty years ahead, robotics-assisted bracket placement is a realistic development, and AI-driven treatment planning will be highly sophisticated. However, patient assessment, biological variation, complex case management, and the regulatory framework around clinical responsibility all keep the specialist orthodontist central. The volume of cases involving adults seeking orthodontic treatment is rising structurally, which expands the market. The role will look different but the demand for a skilled human clinician at the top of the care pathway is not going away.
How to stay ahead
Get comfortable with digital treatment platforms early
Seek out placements and training opportunities that expose you to AI-assisted planning tools such as iTero, SureSmile, and Dental Monitoring. Orthodontists who can critically evaluate and override AI outputs, rather than simply accept them, will hold the real clinical authority. This fluency also makes you more employable in forward-thinking practices straight after qualification.
Develop expertise in complex and multidisciplinary cases
AI tools perform best on routine, well-defined cases. Building a reputation in complex skeletal discrepancies, cleft palate cases, and combined orthodontic-surgical treatment puts you in territory where human judgement is irreplaceable. Pursue additional training in orthognathic collaboration and craniofacial conditions during your specialist years to carve out this high-value niche.
Build patient communication as a clinical skill
As diagnostic software becomes more visual and accessible, patients will arrive at consultations with AI-generated previews of their potential results from consumer apps. Your ability to manage expectations, explain biological limitations, and build genuine trust will differentiate you from any algorithm. Treat communication training with the same seriousness as clinical technique.
Understand the business of modern orthodontic practice
Corporate dental groups and private equity-backed chains are reshaping UK dentistry, and understanding how AI tools affect practice economics will help you negotiate your position whether you join a group or set up independently. Knowing how remote monitoring reduces appointment frequency, for example, lets you price and structure your service intelligently. Financial literacy and practice management knowledge are increasingly part of what separates strong orthodontic careers from average ones.
How to get in - your routes
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