Tips for Becoming an Orthodontist
Orthodontics is a part of dentistry that specializes in the growth and the development of the teeth, the jaws and the face. Becoming an orthodontist takes years of studies and but it is also a rewarding career and average salaries are high.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
General dentists might sometimes perform some orthodontic treatments, but usually orthodontists are dentists who have specialized in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. These specialist fields are involved in making sure that the jaws, the teeth, the lips and the rest of the face are correctly aligned. Orthodontists treat teeth that are positioned incorrectly and use braces or other methods to move and straighten the teeth, whether for cosmetic reasons or to make them function better.
Orthodontic treatments are often used to prevent later dental problems. If braces are used when a person is still young, they can prevent more serious problems and possible expensive operations or treatments later.
Requirements and Education
Becoming an orthodontist requires an investment in several years of studying and hard work, and it also requires a serious financial investment. You will need to first become a qualified dentist and then complete a post-graduate orthodontics program. These post-graduate programs can be difficult to get to as the admission process is strict and the field is very competitive. An average dental school program lasts four years and the post-graduate program around two to three years. You have to complete this post-graduate program successfully before you can start to practice orthodontics.
You generally need at least a bachelor’s degree to be able to apply to dental school. Some schools have been known to accept applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree but who have completed at least two years in a pre-dental undergraduate program. If you want to improve your chances of getting accepted into dental schools, the best method is to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medical sciences first.
Average Salaries and Rewards
The requirements are high and this area of dentistry is challenging and competitive, but there are also many rewards. These include financial rewards. Average salaries are higher than general dentist salaries and can be around $200,000 in the U.S. The profession is very specialized and highly respected, and there is always enough demand for orthodontics and dental care in general.
Cosmetic dentistry is a growing area and cosmetic orthodontics is a big part of it. Orthodontics is believed to be a secure career choice with lots of opportunities for the future. Many orthodontists also enjoy the rewards from improving their patients’ health and boosting their self-esteem with successful treatments, such as after straightening the teeth successfully with braces.
Becoming an orthodontist requires years of hard work and commitment to studying diligently. After up to 4 years in college you will need to spend 4 to 5 years in dental school and then another 2 to 3 years in a postgraduate program specializing in orthodontics. However, the rewards are great and job security is usually very good.