Career as an Orthodontist in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Updated

At a glance

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects crooked teeth and jaws with braces and aligners. In India, most train through a BDS followed by an MDS in Orthodontics.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects crooked teeth and misaligned jaws using braces, clear aligners and retainers. In India, the usual route is a BDS degree followed by an MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics.

The work suits people who enjoy science, precise hand work and long-term patient relationships, because a single treatment often runs for many months. Most of the career is clinical, with planning, monitoring and patient education taking up as much time as the chairside work.

This page covers the path from Class 12 to practice, the postgraduate entry route, and what the job involves day to day. Check current entrance exam dates, college seats and pay before you plan around them.

Minimum Qualification
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Typical Degree
BDS followed by MDS in Orthodontics
Expected Entry Salary
To be confirmed (see editor notes)
Entry-level to Senior
To be confirmed (see editor notes)
Job Demand Growth
To be confirmed (see editor notes)
Work Hours
Weekday clinic hours, some Saturdays
Places of Work
Private clinics, hospitals, dental colleges

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Examine patients to assess bite, jaw position and tooth alignment, and decide whether treatment is needed.

  • Take and read X-rays, photographs, digital scans and cephalometric measurements to plan treatment.

  • Fit and adjust braces, clear aligners, expanders and other orthodontic appliances.

  • Set a treatment plan and timeline, and explain costs, options and expected results to patients and parents.

  • Monitor progress at regular review visits and change the plan when teeth or jaws do not respond as expected.

  • Fit retainers at the end of treatment and advise on keeping results stable over time.

  • Coordinate with general dentists, oral surgeons and dental technicians when a case needs more than orthodontics.

Where They Work

Most orthodontists in India work in private specialist dental clinics, often in cities and larger towns, or run their own practice. Some join multispecialty dental chains that offer orthodontic services alongside general dentistry.

Others work in hospital dental departments and government dental colleges, where they treat patients, train postgraduate students, or teach and research. Teaching posts usually need further seniority and academic experience.

How to Become an Orthodontist in India?

After Class 12

Complete Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Dental courses generally require these subjects, so check the specific eligibility rules for the colleges you want.

Undergraduate

Complete a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), which typically takes five years including a compulsory internship. Admission to BDS is usually through a national or state-level entrance exam.

Licence / Certification

Register to practise dentistry after your BDS with the dental regulator for your state or the country. Dental regulation in India was restructured in 2026, so confirm the current registration body and steps before you apply.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

Complete a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, typically a three-year course. Entry is usually through a national postgraduate dental entrance exam, commonly NEET-MDS, followed by counselling for seats.

First Job

Start as a junior or associate orthodontist in a clinic or hospital. Many build experience for several years before opening their own practice or taking a teaching post.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology for the BDS route.

  • Minimum marks are set by each entrance exam and state or college, so check the cut-off for the year you apply.

  • A BDS degree is the entry requirement for MDS in Orthodontics, usually through a postgraduate entrance exam with its own eligibility rules.

Minimum Qualification

  • BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) from a recognised dental college, with registration to practise dentistry.

  • MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics is the usual qualification for working as a specialist orthodontist.

  • Many clinics also expect practical experience after the MDS, especially for senior roles.

Courses and Degrees for Orthodontist

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), typically five years including compulsory internship
    • BDS in government dental colleges, same course with a different fee structure (verify fees before applying)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, typically three years
    • MDS in Orthodontics offered by government and private dental colleges (check seat numbers and fees)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Clear aligner and digital orthodontics short courses (duration and provider vary; verify before listing)
    • Continuing education workshops in orthodontic appliances and digital planning (run by dental colleges and professional bodies)

Skills Required to Become an Orthodontist

Technical Skills

  • Fine motor skills and steady hand control
  • Reading X-rays, photographs and cephalometric measurements
  • Diagnosing bite and jaw alignment problems
  • Fitting and adjusting braces, expanders and retainers
  • Planning clear aligner treatment with digital software
  • Infection control and sterilisation of instruments

Soft Skills

  • Clear communication with patients and parents
  • Patience for treatment that runs over many months
  • Attention to detail
  • Teamwork with dental assistants and technicians
  • Sound judgement, such as avoiding unnecessary treatment

Orthodontist Salary in India

First years after MDS

Entry Level

To be confirmed (see editor notes)

  • Typical titles: Junior Orthodontist, Associate Orthodontist, Resident Orthodontist
  • Work at this level: assisting senior doctors, handling routine cases and building a patient base

Several years in practice

Mid Level

To be confirmed (see editor notes)

  • Typical titles: Orthodontist, Senior Associate, Assistant Professor in a dental college
  • Work at this level: managing complex cases independently and supervising junior staff or students

Established practice or senior academic post

Senior Level

To be confirmed (see editor notes)

  • Typical titles: Consultant Orthodontist, Clinic Owner, Professor or Head of Department
  • Work at this level: running a clinic, leading a department, teaching and managing a team

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Orthodontist (independent practice)

Runs a private orthodontic clinic and treats patients of all ages.

Associate Orthodontist

Works in an established clinic or dental chain under a senior specialist.

Hospital Dental Consultant

Provides orthodontic and dentofacial care within a hospital dental department.

Assistant Professor, Dental College

Teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students and may take part in clinical research.

Clear Aligner Specialist

Focuses on digital treatment planning and aligner therapy for adult and teen patients.

Dental Practice Owner or Partner

Builds and manages a multi-chair clinic, often with other dentists and specialists.

Scope and Future of Orthodontist in India

Demand for orthodontic care is growing as more patients ask about straighter teeth and discreet treatment. Business Standard reported in May 2025 that clear aligners are trending among Indian patients, which has pushed clinics to offer digital planning and aligner therapy. Patients are also more likely to seek a specialist for complex bite and jaw problems.

Dentistry as a whole faces competition in India. A 2025 analysis by the Observer Research Foundation discussed an oversupply of dental graduates and gender gaps in the oral health workforce. A postgraduate specialisation such as orthodontics helps you stand out from general practice, but location, clinic reputation and strong patient communication still matter.

Dental regulation in India was restructured in 2026, so registration rules may change. Overseas, many countries require separate licensing exams and formal recognition of BDS and MDS qualifications before you can practise, so check the destination regulator early. Canada, for example, has a defined process for dentists seeking to qualify and practise.

Is Orthodontist
the Right Career for You?

Orthodontist can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

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Orthodontist: Frequently Asked Questions

Is orthodontics a specialisation after BDS in India?

Yes. Orthodontics is one of the recognised dental specialisations you can take after a BDS. You complete an MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, which trains you to diagnose and treat teeth and jaw alignment problems in depth. A BDS graduate can offer basic orthodontic treatment, but specialist practice is usually built on the MDS.

Do I need an MDS to work as an orthodontist in India?

The recognised route to specialist orthodontic practice is an MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics. A BDS graduate can treat some simple alignment cases, but should not present themselves as a specialist orthodontist. Check the current rules from the dental regulator before you advertise specialist services.

Which entrance exam is needed for the MDS in Orthodontics?

Admission to MDS courses is usually through a national postgraduate dental entrance exam, commonly NEET-MDS, followed by counselling for seats in government and private dental colleges. Exam dates, eligibility and the number of seats change each year, so check the official exam website and counselling notices before you plan.

How long does it take to become an orthodontist in India?

A typical path takes about five years for the BDS, including internship, followed by about three years for the MDS in Orthodontics. Registration and entrance exam preparation add time, so plan for close to a decade from Class 12 to specialist practice. Some students take a gap year to prepare for postgraduate entrance.

How much does an orthodontist earn in India?

Earnings vary widely by city, clinic type, experience and whether you run your own practice or work for others. This page does not yet quote a figure, because current salary data has not been verified. Look at recent, sourced salary surveys for your target city before making decisions.

Are clear aligners replacing braces?

Clear aligners are growing in popularity, but they do not replace braces for every case. Some complex bite and jaw problems still need fixed braces or other appliances. A qualified orthodontist decides which option suits your teeth, and treatment from unqualified providers can cause lasting damage.

Is orthodontist a good career in India?

It can be, for people who enjoy science, careful clinical work and building long relationships with patients. The training is long and costly, and income depends a lot on location and practice setup. Speak to a career counsellor to compare it with other dental and health careers before you commit.

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