Most species are only known from their rounded, ridge covered teeth, designed for crushing prey (durophagy).

The genus has a long and complicated taxonomic history, and numerous species have been assigned to the genus that are now either considered invalid or unrelated to true orodontids.

Two species, O. greggi and O. micropterygius from the Carboniferous of North America are known from remains preserving the body.

[2] Orodus was considered to be the only member of the family Orodontidae by Ginter et al. 2010.

Like other orodontiforms, the closest living relatives of Orodus are thought to be chimaeras.