Should I be an orthodontist?

In the 1900s, orthodontists made braces from gold.

The easily bendable and stretchy metal was the best choice to mold into the shapes needed to fit on teeth.

Today, braces are mainly made from titanium, but being an orthodontist is still a golden career choice!

Are you considering a rewarding career in the dental field? Orthodontist might be a good fit for you!

Orthodontists are specialized dentists who focus on adjusting teeth and jaws.

Some of the specific areas orthodontists work on are:

• teeth that stick out, are crooked, crowded, or too far apart

• teeth that meet abnormally or don't meet at all

• mismatched jaws

So, now that you know that orthodontists DO NOT feed turtles, what DO they do to treat patients?

• They create a treatment plan for each patient using photos and molds.

• They use appliances to move the teeth and jaw to the right place. Common appliances are braces, expanders, and retainers.

As shown in the chart above:

• Both orthodontists and dentist are oral care doctors

• Dentist focus on tooth and gum health and treat cavities, decay, and gum disease

• Orthodontists treat crooked or crowded teeth and over- or underbites

• Orthodontists attend school for 2-4 more years than dentists

Give yourself 1 point for every yes answer!

An orthodontist needs to have many skills to be successful. These questions cover just a few.

1. Do you enjoy learning and going to school?

   Orthodontists need up to 4-6 years of school after college.

2. Do you like working with people?

   Orthodontists work closely with patients and staff on a regular basis. Empathy and compassion are important skills.

3. Are you good working with your hands?

   Orthodontists work with a variety of tools in a small space.

4. Are you interested in starting your own business?

   Many orthodontists set up their own private practice.

5. Are you detail oriented?

   Orthodontists have to be careful about details like patient health history, reading charts, and keeping accurate charts.

How many points did you score?

0-1 Nope. Orthodontics is most likely not your thing. Keep looking for a better career fit.

2-3 Ehhh. There are parts of being an orthodontist that fit, but you're not completely sold.

4-5 Yesss! You can totally picture yourself making the world a brighter place, one perfect smile at a time.

Orthodontists work in:

• Specialized offices with treatment rooms

• Hospitals

They use equipment such as:

• xray machines

• modeling equipment

• brackets, braces, wire, and adhesive

They wear medical scrubs, eyewear, masks, and gloves throughout much of the day.

PROS

1. High salary: $208,000 US/ $271,00 CA

• Flexibility: usually able to create own schedule and hours

• Help people through your work

• Stress level is below average

CONS

• Length of education: 11 years from college through residency

• Cost of education: it can run you up to a million dollars!

• Job growth is expected to be slow to moderate at 8.1%

Is orthodontics a field you're still interested in?

Get started on your path!