About Board Certification

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification process signifies a unique achievement—a significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics.  The process requires the orthodontist to demonstrate accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that not all orthodontists choose to pursue.  In order to become board certified by the ABO, an orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills, and judgment. The purpose of board certification is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education, and professional collaboration.