Becoming an orthodontist requires a significant amount of education and training. To become an orthodontist, you must have a bachelor's degree, graduate from a four-year dental school, and receive three years of specialized orthodontic training after finishing dental school. Additionally, you must obtain a license from a state licensing board. The minimum educational requirement to become an orthodontist is a doctorate in dentistry, with specialized training in orthodontics. Recommended college courses for aspiring orthodontists are similar to those suggested in high school.
A typical degree for someone entering this field is a degree in biology. Required courses generally involve taking classes in mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Science courses include biology, anatomy, physiology, anthropology, zoology, botany, and microbiology. The first step on your journey to becoming an orthodontist is to complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited university. While most dental schools don't take precedence over the specialty you choose, science degrees are common because of the biology and chemistry prerequisites you'll need to complete before you enroll.
