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Orthodontist
Orthodontists play a critical role in transforming smiles and enhancing the quality of life for patients across the UK and beyond. By employing advanced techniques and innovative technologies, they correct dental irregularities, ensuring that individuals not only have a beautiful smile but also improved oral 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
Orthodontists are specialized dental professionals dedicated to diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. They play a pivotal role in not just enhancing aesthetics through beautiful smiles, but also in improving the overall health and function of their patients' teeth and jaws. The demand for orthodontic services continues to grow as more individuals recognize the importance of oral health, making this profession both rewarding and essential in today’s healthcare landscape.
Working in various settings, from private practices to hospitals, orthodontists experience a dynamic work environment. They often engage with patients of all ages, from children to adults, providing tailored treatments that cater to individual needs. A typical day may involve a mix of patient consultations, treatment planning, and hands-on adjustments of orthodontic devices. The ability to build rapport with patients is crucial, as many may feel anxious about their dental treatments.
- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Orthodontists begin by conducting comprehensive examinations, including X-rays and 3D imaging, to identify misalignments and other issues. They then develop personalized treatment plans that outline the necessary steps to achieve optimal results.
- Application of Orthodontic Devices: A significant part of the role involves fitting and adjusting braces, retainers, and aligners. Orthodontists must be skilled in using various tools and technologies to ensure the devices are effective and comfortable for patients.
- Patient Monitoring: Regular follow-up appointments are essential for tracking progress. Orthodontists evaluate how well patients are responding to treatment and make adjustments as needed to ensure the best outcomes.
- Patient Education: Educating patients about the importance of oral hygiene and how to care for their orthodontic devices is a key responsibility. Orthodontists must effectively communicate complex information in a way that is accessible and understandable.
- Collaboration with Other Dental Professionals: Orthodontists often work alongside general dentists, oral surgeons, and dental hygienists to provide comprehensive care. This collaboration ensures that all aspects of a patient's oral health are addressed.
- Continuous Learning: The field of orthodontics is constantly evolving with new technologies and methods. Successful orthodontists are committed to lifelong learning, attending workshops, seminars, and courses to stay at the forefront of their profession.
In summary, a career as an orthodontist is not only about straightening teeth; it’s about transforming lives. The satisfaction of seeing a patient’s confidence grow as their smile improves is unparalleled. While the journey to becoming an orthodontist is demanding, requiring extensive education and training, the rewards—both personal and professional—are immense. If you are passionate about helping others and have a keen interest in dental health, a career in orthodontics could be your perfect fit.
1Conduct thorough examinations of patients' teeth and jaws to diagnose orthodontic issues.
2Create tailored treatment plans that may include braces, aligners, and other corrective devices.
3Monitor patient progress and make necessary adjustments to orthodontic appliances.
4Educate patients on oral hygiene practices and the importance of maintaining their orthodontic devices.
5Collaborate with dental hygienists, dentists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care.
6Utilize advanced imaging technology to develop 3D models of patients' teeth for precise treatment planning.
7Stay updated on the latest orthodontic techniques and technologies through continuous professional development.
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 tier because the work is overwhelmingly physical, tactile, and reliant on years of trained clinical judgement applied directly to individual patients. AI tools are already assisting with treatment planning software and digital scan analysis, but these augment the orthodontist rather than replace them. Placing brackets, adjusting archwires, interpreting the biomechanics of a living jaw, and managing patient anxiety in the chair are tasks that require human hands and human presence. The regulatory and liability frameworks in UK dentistry also mean a qualified professional must remain clinically responsible for every decision made.
Within 5 Years
Minimal workflow change
Over the next five years, AI will become a standard background tool in orthodontic practices, particularly in digital treatment planning platforms like iTero and AI-assisted cephalometric analysis. These tools speed up the administrative and diagnostic preparation work, but the clinical appointment itself remains unchanged. Orthodontists who learn to use these tools fluently will simply be faster and more efficient. There is no credible threat to employment volumes in this period.
Within 10 Years
Useful augmentation, stable demand
By the mid-2030s, AI-generated treatment plans will likely be standard, with software proposing aligner sequences or bracket prescriptions that orthodontists then review, adjust, and approve. Remote monitoring tools will allow AI to flag whether a patient's teeth are tracking correctly between appointments, reducing some routine check-up frequency. However, this creates a more productive orthodontist rather than fewer orthodontists. The human relationship, clinical oversight, and hands-on procedures remain firmly non-negotiable.
Within 20 Years
Profession evolves, not diminishes
Over a twenty-year horizon, robotic assistance in appliance placement is a genuine possibility, and AI diagnostics will be deeply embedded in practice workflows. However, orthodontics will likely follow the path of surgery, where technology raises the standard of care and increases what a practitioner can achieve rather than eliminating the practitioner. Demand for high-quality aesthetic and functional outcomes will remain a deeply personal, high-stakes decision that patients will not entrust to a machine alone. Orthodontists who embrace digital workflows will be exceptionally well-positioned.
How to stay ahead
Master digital treatment planning early
Platforms like Invisalign's ClinCheck, OrthoCAD, and AI-assisted imaging tools are already reshaping how treatment is designed. Getting comfortable with these during your training and early career means you lead the technology rather than react to it. Practices are actively seeking clinicians who can use these tools fluently and confidently discuss them with patients.
Develop strong patient communication skills
As AI handles more of the technical preparation work, the orthodontist's value increasingly lies in the consultation, trust-building, and nuanced conversation about options. Patients choosing between NHS and private treatment, or deciding on clear aligners versus fixed braces, need a clinician who can guide them honestly. This is a skill you can develop deliberately and it will differentiate you significantly.
Consider the private and specialist pathway
The UK private orthodontics market is growing steadily as adult treatment becomes more socially normalised. Building expertise in complex adult cases, surgical orthodontics, or interdisciplinary work with implantologists and oral surgeons places you in a high-demand, high-value niche. These cases are exactly where AI assistance remains limited and experienced clinical judgement commands a premium.
Stay current with remote monitoring developments
Apps and AI tools that allow patients to submit scans between appointments are becoming more common, particularly in aligner therapy. Understanding how to build these into your practice model will let you manage more patients effectively without sacrificing quality. Orthodontists who design smart monitoring protocols will be more efficient and more competitive, not replaced.
How to get in - your routes
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