Orthodontics is an important aspect of dentistry that deals with the treatment and prevention of malocclusion or improper bites. Orthodontists perform more than just putting braces on; reconstruction, therapy and oral surgery are all part of the duties as an orthodontist. Becoming an orthodontist isn’t only a rewarding and lucrative career; but, it can also make a big difference on how people feel about themselves for their entire lives.
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in the prevention and treatment of cosmetic and health-related issues about orthodontics including crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, overbites, facial abnormalities, underbites, open bites and cross bites. They usually take x-rays from their patients in order to assist them in diagnosing the problem and forming an action plan for the treatment. They treat their patients by pressure application onto the teeth such as applying retainers and mouth braces. There are also some orthodontists that perform oral surgery. They treat patients who have cosmetic issues and work with them so as to achieve their desired look and improve the appearance of their facial features for greater self-confidence. They also perform treatment for cosmetic reasons, but utilize practical procedures in order to help the overall functionality of their mouth and teeth.
Most orthodontists are employed in either group or private practice and specialize in areas such as cosmetic orthodontics, oral surgery or pediatric orthodontics.
If you want to know how to become an orthodontist, it is essential to earn a doctorate degree from an accredited dental school. The most common designations are DDM or Doctor of Dental Medicine and DDS or Doctor of Dental Surgery. Dental schools usually take four years to complete and include laboratory and classroom instruction as well as supervised clinical experience. An aspiring orthodontist should complete a specialty program in orthodontics after dental school completion, which usually takes two years to complete. Some orthodontists obtain a doctoral program or master’s degree in orthodontics.
How To Become An Orthodontist:
One of the state requirements to become an orthodontist is to be certified or licensed. The licensing requirements include dental degree completion from an accredited school and passing a practical and written examination.
The job prospect for an orthodontist is expected to increase about as fast as an average profession, increasing 9 percent starting from 2006 up to 2016. The increase in population and the increasing demand for dental service specialty will fuel job growth.
Employment rates are projected to be very good especially for an orthodontist with an extensive experience and specialty. Job openings will also rise due to the need to replace orthodontists that leave the occupation or retire for some other reasons.
As of October 20010, the middle 50 percent of orthodontists earn an average annual wage of $99,765 to $147,244. The highest 10 percent earned annual wages of more than $170,740.
How To Become An Orthodontist:
A job as an orthodontist is an excellent choice for persons interested in giving specialized dental care to a wide variety of patients. They must have an advanced scientific and clinical knowledge and a sound comprehension of different procedures related to orthodontics. Good interpersonal skills, excellent communication and the ability to make patients feel comfortable are vital. Orthodontists must also have great manual dexterity, visual memory, good judgment and diagnostic ability.
