The Path to Becoming an Orthodontist: Is it Harder than Becoming a Dentist?

Are you interested in becoming an orthodontist? Learn what it takes to become one - from bachelor's degree to residency program - and why it could be a great career for you.

The Path to Becoming an Orthodontist: Is it Harder than Becoming a Dentist?

Are you interested in helping people look and feel their best by perfecting their smiles? If so, becoming an orthodontist could be an excellent career for you. But before you enter this field, you should know that it requires more studies than just four years of college. In fact, it takes a decade or more of education to become an orthodontist. To become a dentist, you need a bachelor's degree, dental school, clinical experience, and other requirements.

To become an orthodontist, you must complete a residency program after dental school, which requires 11 to 12 years of education and clinical experience. A graduate orthodontic program is the last step in education on the path to becoming an orthodontist. Most of these programs last three years and, once completed, you will be a qualified dental specialist in orthodontics, an official orthodontist. Reddick is a great example of how to work hard in school and become a successful orthodontist.

Of all doctors, people don't normally mind going to the orthodontist because they want to perfect their smiles and remove their braces as soon as possible. Most practicing orthodontists are currently in California, which is home to two of the best dental schools, the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry and the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry. By attending dental school with other aspiring orthodontists and orthodontic appliances, you'll learn how to treat patients and gain experience working in the medical field. Orthodontists should know as much as possible about teeth before learning how to put teeth in place using braces and other orthodontic services.

Having an appointment with the orthodontist means moving forward with treatment and getting closer to the final result. The American Dental Association quoted Mike Meru, an orthodontist from Utah, as saying, “Orthodontics is unique because it combines many of the other fields of dentistry and combines them to obtain a result that is natural, functional and cosmetally beautiful.”Being an orthodontist can be an extremely rewarding and satisfying career for anyone interested in tooth placement. If you like helping people look and feel their best and are up for the challenge, consider becoming an orthodontist. Of course, it's hard work and requires more studies than just four years of college, but it's also a great opportunity for young, bright minds to learn and explore an accelerated career with infinite benefits.