Orthodontists are primarily concerned with the correction of irregularities of the teeth and jaws, such as malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both.  Orthodontic treatment often involves the use of braces and retainers to set teeth into the correct positions, leading to improvements in the appearance and function of the teeth as well as the patient's psychological well-being.

Orthodontics is a popular branch of dentistry primarily because it can be both intellectually and physically challenging, requiring a high level of manual skill to correctly manipulate the devices used to correctly set each patient's teeth and jaw.

There is high demand for orthodontic treatment for both clinical and cosmetic reasons.  When you become a fully qualified orthodontist, you can expect to be dealing with children, teenagers and adults so good interpersonal skills are a must.

Orthodontic practice occurs both in high street practices and in hospitals - the more complex cases often require hospital treatment.