Want to study Orthodontics? Looking for the best colleges for Orthodontists in the U.S.? Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that involves dealing with the placement of teeth and the resulting concerns with bites and bite patterns.
In order to successfully become a practicing orthodontist, you’ll need top-ranked colleges for comprehensive dental training at both the undergraduate and graduate level as well as further potential training specific to the field of orthodontics.
Through our list, discover some of the best orthodontist schools in the country, and find out what degree programs they offer in this field. Explore our list to get started today!
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University of Michigan School of Dentistry
The graduate program in Orthodontics, established in 1923, is the oldest degree-granting orthodontics program in the world. It has historically played and continues to play a strong leadership role by providing the research and academic direction to the profession. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the science of craniofacial biology as well as its application to the various orthodontic techniques and methods in contemporary clinical practice. This program also provides experience in teaching orthodontics to undergraduate dental students as well as in the conduct of research to partially fulfill the requirements for a Master of Science degree in orthodontics. Degree titles offered that have bearing on your potential career as an orthodontist include: Master of Science in Orthodontics, Doctor of Philosophy in Oral Health Sciences, and Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Rank: 1st
Cost Approximately: In-State: $78951, Out of State: $134,453
Contact Information: 734.763.6933
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University of North Carolina Department of Orthodontics
The Department of Orthodontics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a wide variety of treatment options to straighten teeth, including traditional braces, Invisalign (clear trays), lingual “hidden” brackets, and surgical-orthodontics. Orthodontic services are available for children and adults. The orthodontic postgraduate program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a combined clinical experience in orthodontics and a critical thinking and research experience that leads to a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree conferred by the UNC-CH Graduate School. The Department of Orthodontics offers a 33-month program. Their program offers a unique combination of didactic and clinical experiences in a state-of-the-art orthodontic facility.
Rank: 2nd
Cost Approximately: In-state: $25,407, Out-of-state: $50,990
Contact Information: (919) 537-3942, underwoj@dentistry.unc.edu
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University of Pennsylvania Penn Dental Medicine (School of Dental Medicine)
Penn Dental Medicine is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered oral health care, within the scope of their educational programs, since 1878. The postgraduate program in orthodontics integrates basic science and clinical orthodontics in a comprehensive curriculum, designed to develop clinically proficient specialists who possess a scholarly insight into orthodontic theory as it relates to patient care. Orthodontists are specialists in their field, having three or four years more training after dental school. At Penn Dental Medicine, orthodontists at the top of their field oversee the work of orthodontists-in-training at Penn.
Rank: 3rd
Cost Approximately: $135,946 Full-time attendance at Penn Dental Medicine.
Contact Information: 215-898-5792, 215-898-8965, info@pdmdental.org
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University of Maryland Department of Orthodontics
The Orthodontic program at the University of Maryland provides its residents with a sound didactic background in craniofacial biology and growth and development. The Department of Orthodontics has a long history at the world’s oldest dental school. The Orthodontic program provides its residents with experience as instructors, teaching both laboratory and clinical orthodontics to pre-doctoral dental students at the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry. Program titles include Doctor of Dental Surgery and Postgraduate Orthodontics Certificate.
Rank: 4th
Cost Approximately: $30,000 to $50,000 per year
Contact Information: P: 410-555-1213, F: 410-555-1214, lmcquaige@umaryland.edu
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The University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry
The UCLA School of Dentistry was established in 1964 in response to the need for a public school of dentistry in the greater Los Angeles area. The Orthodontics Advanced Clinical Training Program is a full-time clinical and academic program for internationally trained dental school graduates and practitioners who seek introductory orthodontic clinical experience and knowledge. This program is not intended for individuals who have already completed orthodontic training in their home countries and are seeking additional educational experiences. The program director and all full-time faculty members will be directly involved in clinical teaching of the trainees. This program consists of classes with postgraduate trainees combined with observations and assisting in the clinics.
Rank: 5th
Cost Approximately: $55,800 per year (Certificate Fee: one-time payment of $200)
Contact Information: postdds@dentistry.ucla.edu
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Boston University
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine offers state-of-the-art dental care through their teaching clinic and faculty practice. The School offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program and a two-year Advanced Standing program for internationally trained dentists. We also offer advanced certificates and degrees in all recognized specialties. The Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine was founded more than 50 years ago by renowned leaders who helped shape dentistry’s oldest specialty. The Department’s main role is to educate orthodontists who are proficient at treating the broad scope of occlusal and dentofacial malocclusions.
Rank: 6th
Cost Approximately: Full-time: $79,000, Part-time: $39,500
Contact Information: 617-358-8300
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Harvard University
The Advanced Graduate Education Program in Orthodontics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine focuses on providing our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out ethical, patient-centered, evidence-based orthodontic treatment. In addition, their aim is to graduate specialists who possess advanced technical skills, a comprehensive scientific foundation, a thirst for knowledge, and the capacity to become strong leaders in orthodontics education and research. Harvard’s expert orthodontists in either practice look forward to welcoming you and providing you with the best possible care at an affordable price in a world-class institution. You’ll be able to achieve such degrees as Doctor of Dental Medicine, and Master of Medical Sciences/Certificate in Orthodontics
Rank: 7th
Cost Approximately: $95,263 to $109,962
Contact Information: 617-432-1405-General, 617-432-1443-Admission
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Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry at Loma Linda University (LLU) offers the doctor of dental surgery degree, both bachelor of science and associate of science degrees in dental hygiene, and master of science degrees and certification in advanced specialty programs for dental anesthesia, endodontic, implant dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. The pre-doctoral courses in the Department of Orthodontics, apply the knowledge derived from the basic sciences, research, and clinical treatment to the science of orthodontics so that the dental graduate will have the background necessary to recognize those conditions s/he is capable of managing. The Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics-Advanced Specialty Program is organized to provide graduates.
Rank: 8th
Cost Approximately: $129,645
Contact Information: 909-558-1000
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University of California, San Francisco – UCSF School of Dentistry
UCSF has a wide range of resources to help educate prospective students and protect the rights of current students. They accept five students per year in the Postgraduate Program in Orthodontics with concurrent admission into the Graduate MS or Ph.D. Program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. The Postgraduate Program in Orthodontics provides a balanced education with a strong emphasis in active clinical experience, didactics, and research. The full-time, 36-month program begins in July each year. It is fully accredited and meets the educational requirements of the American Dental Association. If you are interested in pursuing an academic career, the certificate in orthodontics can be combined with a Ph.D. in oral and craniofacial sciences.
Rank: 9th
Cost Approximately: $21,600 (in-state) and $64,800 (non-resident)
Contact Information: 415.476.1101, sod.postgraduate@ucsf.edu
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