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Orthodontists in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Tina Fine Tina Fine New York, United States Last Updated: September 2025 NAICS OD6039

Revenue

$4.1bn

2025

$4.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

6,596

Businesses

2,711

Wages

$X.Xbn

Orthodontists in the US industry analysis

Despite the emergence of direct-to-consumer brands such as SmileDirectClub, which offer discreet, clear aligners online, no proper substitute exists for in-office orthodontic expertise. The primary orthodontist market is individuals under 18 (67.6% ), and demand and revenue are influenced by the financial health of parent payors, which in turn is impacted by employment and the economy's health. Over the past five years, industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1% to reach $4.1 billion, with a further 0.8% climb expected in 2025. Profit is forecast to moderate slightly, settling at 18.9% of revenue in 2025 compared to 19.4% in 2019.

Trends and Insights

  • Clear aligners are revolutionizing the orthodontics market. Their discreet appearance, advancements in technology, and direct-to-consumer availability have increased accessibility and comfort, attracting a broader patient base and prompting established orthodontists to offer them.
  • Traditional, metal braces stay the status quo for teeth straightening. Orthodontic practices receive the most payments for traditional braces even as technology evolves in favor of more subtle options.
  • Population hubs present the most opportunities for orthodontists. As the most populous region in the US, the Southeast has the greatest number of orthodontic practices.
  • A growing number of direct-to-consumer teeth straighteners changes the competitive landscape. Online DTC companies allow consumers to skip orthodontic consultation by sending teeth aligners straight to their door.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.1bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

Clear aligners are transforming orthodontic care and as a result, intensify competition

  • Clear aligners have reshaped orthodontic practice, using 3D imaging and bespoke aligner production to shorten treatment durations and boost success rates. Advanced scanning technologies enable practitioners to design patient-specific trays with more predictable outcomes. Customized manufacturing workflows cut laboratory turnaround times, allowing orthodontists to start and adapt treatment plans. The minimal profile of clear trays and their superior comfort appeal to adult and teenage patients resistant to metal braces.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Orthodontists in the US
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demographics align with payor types to identify growth segments

  • Orthodontic revenue concentration shows clear demographic patterns, with children under 18 commanding 67.6% of industry revenue despite comprising only 23.0% of the US population. US child population projections indicate modest growth through 2030, with teenagers aged 12-17 maintaining stable numbers around 23 million annually. Private employer orthodontic benefits provide lifetime maximums per child, while Medicare offers minimal orthodontic coverage except for trauma-related cases. Young adults aged 18-24 represent 16.8% of revenue but face insurance coverage gaps during college transitions, while adults 25-44 comprise 9.5% of revenue through predominantly self-pay arrangements.

Biggest companies in the Orthodontists in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue
2025
Profit
2025
Profit Margin (%)
2025

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Orthodontists in the US industry.

Products & Services Segmentation

Orthodontists in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Traditional braces, Clear aligners and Other services. Traditional braces is the largest segment of the Orthodontists in the US.

Trends and Insights

Traditional braces remain the go-to option for straightening teeth

  • Traditional braces, which utilize metal brackets, wires, and elastic bands to correct misaligned teeth and jaws, have grown popular among adult patients. Despite many adults preferring the aesthetic appeal of clear aligners, increased oral health awareness has led to a broader acceptance of traditional braces.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises health practitioners who specialize in treating misaligned teeth and facial development with braces, headgear, retainers and other methods. Orthodontists are doctors of dental surgery (DDS) or doctors of dental medicine (DDM) and have several years of specialty training in orthodontics. They may work in independent, group or large practices.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Orthodontists industry in the United States include Providing treatments with brackets and wires, traditional braces, Providing treatments with aligners and Providing other services including surgery.

Companies

Companies covered in the Orthodontists industry in the United States include .

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Orthodontists industry in the United States include dentition, dental braces and removable retainers.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 621210 - Orthodontists in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Clear aligners are revolutionizing the orthodontics market. Their discreet appearance, advancements in technology, and direct-to-consumer availability have increased accessib...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Traditional, metal braces stay the status quo for teeth straightening. Orthodontic practices receive the most payments for traditional braces even as technology evolves in fa...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Population hubs present the most opportunities for orthodontists. As the most populous region in the US, the Southeast has the greatest number of orthodontic practices.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

A growing number of direct-to-consumer teeth straighteners changes the competitive landscape. Online DTC companies allow consumers to skip orthodontic consultation by sending...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Orthodontists in the US industry.

Analyst insights

Independent orthodontists are the industry standard. Small practices catering to local patients are the majority of the market, keeping any single practice from developing ma...

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Adult patients overwhelmingly visit orthodontists for cosmetic treatment. Cosmetic teeth straightening isn’t covered by insurers, leaving orthodontists susceptible to how cha...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Rising labor costs offset the growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry treatment. Orthodontic practices are providing braces for more patients, but aren’t enjoying profit gro...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
  • Income Statement (2018-2023)
  • Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2023)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Orthodontists industry in the United States in 2025?

The market size of the Orthodontists industry in the United States is $4.1bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Orthodontists industry in the United States in 2025?

There are 2,711 businesses in the Orthodontists industry in the United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.7 % between 2020 and 2025.

How may import tariffs affect the Orthodontists industry in the United States?

The Orthodontists industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Orthodontists industry in the United States?

The Orthodontists industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

Has the Orthodontists industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Orthodontists industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Orthodontists industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Orthodontists industry in the United States is expected to grow.

What does the Orthodontists industry in the United States include?

Providing treatments with brackets and wires, traditional braces and Providing treatments with aligners are part of the Orthodontists industry in the United States.

How competitive is the Orthodontists industry in the United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Orthodontists industry in the United States.

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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