Level 3 | Highest Clinical Credential
The IAAO Diplomate recognizes dentists who have demonstrated advanced clinical competency in aligner orthodontics through extensive experience and formal assessment.
As the highest credential in the IAAO pathway, Diplomate status requires broad clinical experience across adult and growing-patient treatment, a portfolio of advanced cases, formal examination, and an oral defense of clinical decisions before an IAAO review panel.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold an active dental license in good standing.
Complete the Clearly Alignedā„¢ Mastery Competency, recognized by IAAO.
Complete at least 300 hours of qualifying aligner orthodontic education, including 75 hours of orthodontist-led education.
Have at least four years of active clinical experience providing aligner orthodontic treatment.
Complete at least 150 aligner orthodontic cases as the treating dentist.
Submit 10 fully documented cases across the prescribed advanced clinical categories.
Pass the IAAO Diplomate written examination with a minimum score of 80%.
Successfully complete an oral case defense before an IAAO review panel.
Complete an approved professional contribution requirement.
Applicants submit 10 cases demonstrating competency across a broad range of clinical challenges. The portfolio must include:
Adult alignment and space management.
Adult Class II treatment.
Adult Class III treatment.
Adult deep bite treatment.
Adult open bite or significant vertical correction.
Growing-patient Class II treatment.
Growing-patient Class III treatment.
Transverse discrepancy or expansion management.
Mixed-dentition, eruption-management or developing-dentition treatment.
One advanced case involving complex biomechanics, interdisciplinary treatment, extractions, impacted teeth, temporary anchorage device auxiliaries or another approved advanced category.
The portfolio is intended to demonstrate the ability to diagnose, plan, execute and evaluate treatment across different clinical problems. Case volume alone does not replace the requirement to demonstrate competency across the prescribed categories.
The comprehensive, secure Diplomate examination assesses diagnosis, treatment planning, biomechanics, clinical troubleshooting, risk management, growing-patient treatment and complex case decision-making.
The examination is expected to include approximately 150 to 200 questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 80% to pass.
Candidates must defend selected clinical cases before an IAAO review panel. They are expected to explain their diagnostic findings and justify their treatment decisions, including the rationale for their chosen biomechanics.
The panel also evaluates how candidates consider alternative approaches, recognize treatment limitations and assess clinical outcomes.
Candidates must complete an approved contribution to the advancement of aligner orthodontics. This may include publishing a clinical article or case report, presenting at an approved professional meeting, participating in original research or a quality-improvement project, developing an approved educational resource, or undertaking another project approved by the IAAO Credentialing Committee.
DIAAO status follows a five-year maintenance cycle. Diplomates must meet IAAO's continuing education, active-standing and applicable review or recertification requirements to maintain their credential.
Successful applicants receive formal recognition from IAAO and may use the designation DIAAO, Diplomate of the International Academy of Aligner Orthodontics, subject to the professional advertising and regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction.
Begin by completing the Clearly Alignedā„¢ Mastery Competency and reviewing the eligibility requirements. Application details and supporting documentation requirements will be provided through the IAAO credentialing process.
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