{"id":22376,"date":"2020-09-09T15:21:14","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T22:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=22376"},"modified":"2020-09-28T20:12:29","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T03:12:29","slug":"how-to-become-an-orthodontist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/how-to-become-an-orthodontist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Straighten Teeth: Become an Orthodontist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our teeth are such a personal trait and provide us with confidence and smiles. Orthodontists make our pearly whites straighter, fix our under or overbites, and are experts in jaw alignment. If you want to learn how to become an orthodontist, learn more about the profession and follow the step-by-step guide below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an Orthodontist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An orthodontist is someone your dentist will refer you to as they have graduated from years of dental school and practice dental medicine to provide oral health. An orthodontist’s main aim is to give you a lovely, straight smile. 
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Orthodontists give us braces to straighten our teeth, but they are also experts in things like jaw alignment and facial structure. But what else does an orthodontist do day-to-day?
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What Does an Orthodontist Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Orthodontists use tools like molds to create the perfect corrective equipment for your teeth. They also understand complex structures of the face and jaw and how those affect the whole body. They treat patients\u2019 teeth and jaws while also being aware of their dental and medical history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviews Medical and Dental History<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first thing an orthodontist does is review the medical and dental history of a patient. This ensures the patient\u2019s safety when carrying out any procedures. Skipping this could lead to unnecessary harm to the patient, which you don\u2019t want when your aim is to help them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Appliances <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After a scan, an examination, and some discussion about your teeth, your orthodontist plans your treatment. You may be prescribed braces, a retainer, or a mouthguard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow Up Appointments<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During treatment, an orthodontist will monitor patients and make sure treatment is running smoothly. With braces, orthodontists usually need to keep making adjustments to tighten them to ensure teeth slowly align. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential Orthodontist Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to be able to diagnose patients and keep records for future appointments, and then effectively provide treatment plans for your patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communication<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to have excellent active listening and speaking skills to help patients to the best of your ability. You\u2019ll need to explain to patients their particular oral health issues and discuss treatment options with them. You will also be working closely with other staff members and healthcare providers, and a lot of your patients will be children and teenagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand-Eye Coordination <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Good hand-eye coordination is ideal when dealing with oral health. You\u2019ll be spending time with your hands inside people\u2019s mouths, doing so carefully as you don\u2019t want to restrict anyone\u2019s airway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problem Solving and Decision Making <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Every mouth and bite is unique to that person, which means being an orthodontist is not a one-size-fits-all career. You\u2019ll need to be able to solve individual patient\u2019s issues and make informed decisions on their treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orthodontist Salaries and Job Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> states that the mean salary for orthodontists was $225,760 in 2018. Further, the job prospects are super positive, with an expected seven percent growth between 2018 and 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does it Take to Become an Orthodontist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It takes anywhere from 10 to 14 years after a high school education to become an orthodontist; starting with an undergraduate degree, then onto dental school, and a residency\/orthodontic program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Become an Orthodontist: A Step by Step Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Orthodontists make our teeth straighter, fix our under or overbites, and are experts in jaw alignment.\u00a0 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are the steps to becoming an orthodontist, the years it will take you, and some tips on what to expect for each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Undergraduate Degree – 4 Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some dental schools accept students without a bachelor\u2019s degree, as long as you have studied for two years in a pre-dental program. Otherwise, during your undergrad: complete science subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. 
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Check the dental school you want to go to and check what requirements they have, but you can usually major in science subjects like chemistry or biology.
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Towards the end or earlier, you can begin studying for your DAT test and taking part in extracurricular activities that involve helping people or interning with an orthodontist to get a feel for the career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: DAT Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The dental admissions test (DAT) is the exam you will take as the educational requirement to get into dental school. The DAT exam consists of four sections:
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