What Is an Orthodontist? Training, Credentials, and Distinctions

“Specialist in orthodontics,” “Master of Science in Orthodontics,” “Dentist with a focus on orthodontics” — on practice signs, these titles sound confusingly similar. In reality, they represent very different qualification pathways: from a multi-year full-time postgraduate training program with an examination before the dental chamber to mere self-designation without any examination. In this article, you’ll learn how to become an orthodontist, what each title means, and how to recognize a certified orthodontic practice.

Quick overview: “Orthodontist” or “specialist in orthodontics” is a protected professional designation. It requires a completed dental degree plus several years of full-time postgraduate training with a final examination before the dental chamber. “M.Sc. in Orthodontics” and “focus on orthodontics,” on the other hand, are additional qualifications or self-designations — not specialist titles.

How do you become an orthodontist?

The path to becoming a specialist in orthodontics is clearly regulated in Germany — through the postgraduate training regulations of the state dental chambers, in three stages:

• Dental degree: five years of university study with state examination and licensure as a dentist.
• Specialist training: a subsequent, full-time professional training program lasting at least three years, conducted exclusively at accredited training institutions – orthodontic practices with training authorization and university clinics. During this time, everything revolves around orthodontics – from diagnostics to the treatment of complex malocclusions. In North Rhine, for example, time spent in a practice may not exceed two of the three years; at least one year must be completed at a university clinic (Weiterbildungsordnung der Zahnärztekammer Nordrhein, § 8). The model continuing education regulations of the German Dental Association (2024 version) additionally require one year of general dentistry.
• Specialist examination: Only after passing the examination before the dental chamber may the protected professional designation “specialist in orthodontics” — in short: orthodontist — be used.

How Dr. Julia Steinmaier completed her training

Our practice owner completed her specialist training in orthodontics at Dr. Schupp’s practice in Cologne and at the University Clinic Freiburg under Univ.-Prof. Dr. B. A. Jung after graduating from dental school at the Westphalian Wilhelms University in Münster. In 2021, she received her recognition as a specialist in orthodontics from the State Dental Association of Baden-Württemberg. During her training, she published case reports, including one in 2020 on the alignment of a palatally displaced canine with aligners in the journal “Informationen aus Orthodontie & Kieferorthopädie.”

Orthodontist, M.Sc., or focus area — what do these titles mean?

All three designations indicate that the practitioner works in orthodontics — but the scope of demonstrated qualification differs significantly.

Specialist in orthodontics

At least three years of full-time postgraduate training at approved training institutions, defined curriculum, final examination before the dental chamber. Only this qualification entitles one to use the designation “orthodontist.”

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Orthodontics

The Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Orthodontics is a postgraduate degree program for licensed dentists that provides theoretical and practical knowledge in orthodontics. However, it does not constitute specialist training and is not equivalent to it, either legally or in terms of scope and training structure. While the M. Sc. is completed alongside professional practice, specialist training in orthodontics comprises several years of full-time clinical education with comprehensive practical work, defined training content, and a final examination before the dental association. The M. Sc. can be a professional qualification, but it does not replace recognized specialist training.

Dentist with a focus on orthodontics

This is a self-declared designation: The dentist states that they dedicate special attention to this field. No mandatory training or examination is required for this designation. It says nothing about the individual’s personal commitment. However, there is no formally verified proof of qualification behind this designation.

	Specialist in orthodontics	M. Sc. Orthodontics	Focus on orthodontics
Form	at least three years of full-time professional training at accredited training institutions	postgraduate degree program, completed alongside professional practice	self-declared designation, no mandatory training
Examination before the dental association	yes	no	no
Authorized to use the title “orthodontist”	yes	no	no

Why does the difference matter to you?

Orthodontic treatments are long-term, biologically demanding interventions: teeth are moved through bone over months to years, and the temporomandibular joints, growth, and function must all be considered. Planning errors often become apparent only late – and are then costly to correct. A Brazilian comparative study with 30 treatment cases each found better treatment outcomes with specialists in orthodontics than with general dentists without orthodontic training (Marques et al., 2012). More important than the practice sign is therefore the question: Who plans and is responsible for your treatment – and with what training?

How to verify qualifications: Look for the exact designation “specialist in orthodontics” — not just the word “orthodontics” in the practice name — and feel free to ask directly; a specialist practice will respond openly and transparently. A good additional indicator: scientific activities such as professional publications or lecturing.

You can ask these questions in any practice:

• Who plans my treatment, and what training does this person have?
• Who will see me or my child at follow-up appointments?
• What records (scan, photos, X-rays, functional analysis) will be taken before planning?
• What other treatment options are there, and what are the arguments for each?
• What costs does health insurance cover, what do I pay myself, and how does it continue after treatment (retainer)?

What does an orthodontist actually do?

Orthodontics is far more than “straight teeth.” The field includes:

• Diagnostics: Analysis of dental and jaw misalignments, growth assessment, digital 3D diagnostics, and functional analysis.
• Dental and jaw corrections: with fixed and removable appliances as well as nearly invisible aligners — for children and adolescents as well as adults.
• Functional disorders: temporomandibular disorder (TMD), teeth grinding, and jaw joint problems.
• Medical interfaces: such as mandibular advancement devices for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea — in coordination with sleep medicine and ENT.
• Retention: the long-term stabilization of treatment results with retainers.

Esthetics is a welcome side effect — the primary focus is the medical question: Does the misalignment affect function, dental health, or breathing? The standard is based on clinical criteria, as also described in the DGKFO guidelines.

When should you see an orthodontist?

For children, an initial orthodontic evaluation during elementary school age is recommended – even if treatment is not (yet) needed. Many malalignments can be guided with simple measures during this growth phase before they become fixed. You can read more in our article When to See an Orthodontist: The Optimal Time to Start Treatment for Children.

For adults: Orthodontic treatment is possible at any age, as long as the teeth and periodontal tissues are healthy — today also with discreet solutions such as clear aligners.

Does health insurance cover orthodontic treatment?

For children and adolescents under 18, statutory health insurance coverage depends on the orthodontic indication groups (KIG), which classify the severity of a misalignment into five levels. From KIG level 3 onward, statutory health insurance pays 80 percent of the costs directly; the 20 percent patient share is reimbursed after successful completion of treatment.

For adults, statutory health insurance pays only in exceptional cases: for severe jaw anomalies requiring combined orthognathic surgical and orthodontic treatment. Private health insurance and supplemental dental insurance reimburse part of the costs depending on the policy. Which services go beyond the statutory standard is explained in the article Non-contractual services in orthodontics.

Aligners are not part of the statutory health insurance benefit catalog. Retainers are typically a private service. For children and adolescents with statutory insurance treatment, statutory health insurance can cover retention for up to two years after active treatment. A fixed retainer on the lower front teeth may also be a statutory benefit in cases of severe crowding (KIG E3/E4). Whether you have statutory or private health insurance: diagnostics, consultation, and care are the same for all our patients. Costs you pay yourself can be paid in interest-free installments of up to 18 months directly through our practice if you wish; we support you with reimbursement documents if needed.

Specialists in orthodontics at JUST KFO in Cologne

At JUST KFO in Cologne-Rodenkirchen, you are treated exclusively by specialists in orthodontics. Currently, there are three female specialists. Dr. Julia Steinmaier has been authorized by the North Rhine Dental Chamber for further training in orthodontics since June 2026. Treatment planning – including every individual tooth movement for aligners – is done by our orthodontists themselves. Our practice owner Dr. Julia Steinmaier is also active as a speaker and author and has published scientifically together with university experts – you can find a selection in our Professional Publications.

Whether it’s an initial evaluation for your child, aligner treatment in adulthood, or clarification of temporomandibular joint issues: We take time for your questions and provide medically sound and transparent consultation. Feel free to book an appointment — we look forward to seeing you.

Frequently asked questions about orthodontists