How long does it take to become an orthodontist? Who are orthodontists? A large gap between your teeth or misaligned teeth can lead to problems such as gum disease or tooth decay. To treat this problem, you must consult an orthodontist. A perfect smile is what every person needs on this planet. It is often linked to good health, which is absolutely true. Oral care plays a crucial role in your well-being.
Who are orthodontists?
Orthodontics is one of the branches of the dental specialty. As an orthodontist, you will be responsible for checking many dental irregularities such as misaligned teeth and jaw problems. Orthodontists also create plans to treat dental issues. They also help remove bacteria from your teeth. The ultimate goal of orthodontists is to improve the patient’s bite and help them achieve a perfect smile.
How long does it take to become an orthodontist? – How long does it take to become an orthodontist?
Becoming a certified and trained orthodontist can take up to 10-11 years-
- Four years to complete the undergraduate degree
- Four years to complete dental school
- And 2-3 years to complete the orthodontic residency program
Responsibilities of orthodontists
The most important functions of an orthodontist are:
- An orthodontist must know and assess the patient’s teeth or jaw problems.
- As an orthodontist, you prepare treatment plans for the patient.
- You should know how to put on braces.
- You should be able to use diagnostic tools like x-rays.
- You should monitor the progress of the treatment.
How to become an orthodontist?
Education-
To enter dental school, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics. This is a vital step as most dental schools require a bachelor’s degree to enter dental school.
Dental Admission Test –
It is also known as dental aptitude test. This test is a method of verifying the knowledge that you must have acquired during your diploma. The certificate is issued by the American Dental Association. The test is divided into several sections to test your knowledge of chemistry, biology and organic chemistry. It also tests your critical thinking and math basics such as trigonometry. Most dental schools look for average test scores.
Apply to the Faculty of Dentistry –
After you get your bachelor’s degree, start enrolling now in the dental school of your choice. Generally, going to dental school takes up to 4 years. During the first two years of college, you will gain detailed knowledge of how dental work can affect other parts of the body. And for the next 2 years, you will be able to perform direct procedures under the guidance of licensed orthodontists.
Orthodontic residency –
In your senior year, you must choose orthodontic residency programs. During this program, you will work with and treat orthodontic patients. In this program, you will work long hours of day shifts. To access these programs, you must pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE). Although it is quite difficult to get into these programs.
According to the American Orthodontic Association, each program has only one slot for 15 applications. This means that the seat to application ratio is 1:15, which is not even half. The chances of getting into these programs are only high if you complete your dental education. After completing your residency program, you will obtain your license to work as an orthodontist.
3 common treatments used by orthodontists
Many treatments are performed by orthodontists. The most common are-
Braces –
Braces are used to bring the teeth into the correct position. A metal or ceramic wire connects the bracket to each tooth. This will help in the perfect alignment of the teeth. This treatment usually takes a long time to show results. It can take months or even years to recover, depending on each individual’s problem.
deductions-
Once your braces are loose, you may need to wear retainers because you don’t want your teeth to return to their original position. Using retainers would help your teeth stay in the newly aligned position.
Helmet –
Headwear is usually used with suspenders. They help create developmental issues such as overbite or underbite.
How much does an orthodontist earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the expected increase in job opportunities in this field is 8.5% over the next decade. It is faster than the average pace of other professions. Generally, the average annual salary for an orthodontist is between $208,000 and $256,491 per year. Some of the high-wage countries –
Mississippi
Indian
Illinois
Louisiana
New Mexico
Conclusion
Oral health has an important role to play in our well-being. And to treat problems related to oral health, orthodontists are needed. As an orthodontist, you will assess the patient’s dental or gum problem and help resolve it. The expected increase in employment opportunities in this field is 8.5% over the next decade. It can take 10 to 11 years to become a professional orthodontist.