How Do I Become an Orthodontist?

If you are good at science, enjoy working with people and have an interest in the field of healthcare, you might wonder how to become an orthodontist. Dentistry is a medical discipline that concentrates on diagnosing and treating disorders of the mouth and maintaining good oral health. Teeth are a chief concern of dentistry. Orthodontists are specialists within the field of dentistry who focus primarily on straightening patients’ teeth for medical or aesthetic purposes. As healthcare professionals, orthodontists prepare for their careers in much the same way that medical doctors do, completing advanced schooling and residency experience requirements.

Like other types of dentists, orthodontists work directly with patients. They work with their hands to perform procedures on patients’ teeth. Rather than being concerned with cleanings, regular exams and cavity treatment and prevention, orthodontists are mainly concerned with treating disorders in the shape of teeth. While orthodontics is typically associated with the treatment of crooked teeth, other common orthodontic disorders include overbites, underbites and misaligned jaws. Orthodontists install and adjust braces, the devices made from wire and metal or plastic, for the purposes of straightening crooked teeth and improper bites. Orthodontists also provide retainers and instruct patients on when to wear them.

To prepare for a career as an orthodontist, candidates should first earn an undergraduate degree from a college or university. Bachelor’s degree programs in subjects such as chemistry and biology are popular choices for aspiring dentists, regardless of intended specialization. Like doctors, dentists must pursue a higher level of education. They have to take an examination called the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) and score well in order to earn acceptance into dental school. During their dental school education, aspiring orthodontists will learn anatomy, periodontology and the correct use of anesthesia and radiology. They must also complete clinical experiences where they practice dentistry on real patients. Upon completing their degree requirements, dental students earn one of two degrees, either a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) or a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). To begin practicing, dentists must earn a state license.

As specialists, orthodontists should expect to spend even more time training for their careers than their counterparts in general dentistry. Specialty programs in orthodontics can last anywhere between two and four years. Orthodontists also have to complete residency requirements that can last an additional year or two. Finally, orthodontists must acquire a particular license to practice this specialized branch of dentistry.

Orthodontists earn an average annual salary of $186,320, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS expects career opportunities for orthodontists, along with the related occupation of dentists, to increase by 21 percent during the 2010 to 2020 decade, as compared to only 14 percent job growth anticipated across all occupations. If you work well with your hands, pay close attention to details and have a compassionate nature, knowing how to become an orthodontist could be your first step toward a profitable new career in the healthcare industry.

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