Orthodontist Duties and Responsibilities: Orthodontist Duties and Responsibilities. Orthodontics, a specialty within the dental profession, involves straightening teeth and correcting bites. As an orthodontist, you are responsible for locating problems with the positioning of patients' teeth and with their oral development. Salary: Orthodontist Salaries. What is the average annual salary for Orthodontist? How much does an Orthodontist make? The median annual Orthodontist salary is $133,801, as of March 31, 2017, with a range usually between $109,923-$162,235, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. Education: In order to become an orthodontist, students need to complete four years of dental school. Coursework in dental school includes anatomy, physiology and microbiology, as well as classes that apply more specifically to orthodontics, such as dental anatomy and occlusion, pediatric dentistry and dental materials. Demand or need: Dentists diag...