Orthodontist

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Orthodontics, a specialty within the dental profession, involves straightening teeth and correcting bites. As an orthodontist, you are responsible for locating problems with the positioning of patients' teeth and with their oral development. You might use x-rays or plaster molds of your patients' teeth to do this. You will then use dental appliances, such as braces, retainers and space maintainers, to correct these problems for the purpose of providing better function, appearance and facial development. You will also be responsible for planning custom treatment plans that are tailored to treat each individual patient based on his or her dental records and specific anomalies. You may also be in charge of supervising and instructing orthodontic technicians and assistants in performing routine procedures.

Salary:

$130,835

Education:

In order to become an orthodontist, students need to complete four years of dental school. Coursework in dental school includes anatomy, physiology and microbiology, as well as classes that apply more specifically to orthodontics, such as dental anatomy and occlusion, pediatric dentistry and dental materials. Dental students learn in traditional classroom settings but are also required to gain practical experience treating patients in clinics during their last two years of study.