What is to 'Capitalize'. Capitalize is an accounting method used to delay the recognition of expenses by recording the expense as a long-term asset. In general, capitalizing expenses is beneficial as companies acquiring new assets with a long-term lifespan can spread out the cost.
For orthodontics, most, if not all plans have a lifetime maximum amount that the carrier will pay for treatment. This is typically anywhere from $750 to $4000 and the patient is responsible for the remainder of the orthodontic cost.
Long story short... after high school graduation, you will need a minimum of 11 years of education and training to be an orthodontist (4 yrs undergrad, 4 yrs dental school, 3 years ortho residency). Orthodontics is the most competitive dental speciallty to get into. Selection is mostly based on your class ranking in dental school.