An average number of years to become an orthodontist is 10 to 11 years after high school graduation. They provide non-surgical treatments to alleviating a number of problems, including speech defects, chewing difficulties and poor oral hygiene. An orthodontist will also work with your general dentist to determine if your gums and teeth are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment. To become an orthodontist, you first have to become a dentist! Reading Comprehension: You have 60 minutes to answer 50 questions testing your ability to pull information from 3 different writing passages. PAT: You have 60 minutes to answer questions testing your spatial ability and logic. As an orthodontist, are you only off on holidays? In addressing the three tiers of health care, viz. The best thing you can do is talk to your academic advisor to help you choose your coursework. Seek employment at a reputable dental clinic or private practice. If you are interested in the field of dentistry, then becoming an orthodontist might be for you. If you're thinking about pursuing this profession, you'll want to learn about the rigorous educational requirements. If you're up to the challenge, though, you can have a fulfilling career helping patients achieve beautiful smiles! Like every other technical profession, becoming an orthodontist begins by earning a college degree in a few years of school. Orthodontists can become certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. If you open your own practice, you can choose your own days/hours of operation. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Contact your state's dental board to find out which license(s) you need before you can begin your practice. During the four years of dental school training, learners will complete coursework and clinical training in general dentistry. Every mouth and bite is unique, and getting a straight and healthy smile may require the expertise of an orthodontist, who helps individuals achieve properly aligned teeth and jaws. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you want to retake the exam to try for a higher score, just get back to studying and redouble your efforts. Contact the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) to apply. A Bachelor degree in dentistry is essential when willing to become an orthodontist. Is continuing education required for orthodontists? Endodontists focus on the pulp of the tooth, whereas periodontists treat the gums and bone that support the teeth. Additionally, take your Dental Admissions Test, which you'll need to pass to get into dental school, in your junior year of college. The BLS reports that orthodontists earn $208,000 on average annually. Apply for a state-required license after completing the orthodontist program. Four hours is a long time to sit in one place! Keep up the good articles!! Students wondering how to become an orthodontist might join their undergraduate predental society or work or volunteer in a clinic or office. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Career Options. Colgate Reaches Children in Need Across the Globe With the Power of a Bright Smile. Their work can both help patients achieve beautifully straight teeth and fix problems that might interfere with oral health. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 152,098 times. You'll typically need to spend 2-4 years in an undergraduate program, four years in dental school and 2-3 years in a … Pass the Dental Admission Test to be able to apply for dental school, Pass the National Board Dental Examination, Obtain a license to practice orthodontics as a specialty, which may require a special state exam. Apply for a place on an orthodontic training scheme. Successful completion of this program enables you to apply for a master’s degree in orthodontics, which takes between two to three years. As a general dentist from Canada, what are the requirements for me to become an orthodontist? if you feel that you have the interest and ability to pursue an orthodontist career, it would be good for you to know that there are ample career opportunities as well as competitive salaries in the field. This is purely voluntary. This article has been viewed 152,098 times. On average, orthodontists who are just starting out will work 5 days a week. Postdoctoral programs will ask for your undergraduate and dental school transcripts, National Board Dental Exam scores, three or more letters of recommendation, work experience, and a personal statement of career goals. On the orthodontist or around $200,000 on an average basis annually. Additionally, complete a residency in orthodontics to gain practical experience in your chosen specialty. At least one year before seeking admission, d… There are several educational requirements for you to being an orthodontist; the least is to have a doctorate degree in dentistry. % of people told us that this article helped them. Certification expires every ten years. It takes anywhere from 10 to 14 years after a high school education to become an orthodontist; starting with an undergraduate degree, then onto dental school, and a residency/orthodontic program. Becoming an orthodontist is a grueling process that requires four years of undergraduate study, four years of dental school, and at least 2 years of residency. Survey of Natural Sciences: You have 90 minutes to answer 40 Biology, 30 Inorganic Chemistry, and 30 Organic Chemistry short answer questions. The path to becoming on orthodontist begins with earning a bachelor's degree in a science field, such as biology, nursing or chemistry. For tips on how to prepare for your dental school exams, read on! You might think an orthodontist only treats children or teens by placing braces or other appliances. The online practice test costs $37 as of 2015, and the print format practice test costs $27 + tax and shipping. Have questions about your smile? You will have to take and pass an exam of 240 written questions, as well as a clinical exam. How to Become an Orthodontist Orthodontist requirements include many years of schooling as well as development of some field-specific skills. That means that after high school, another 12 or more years of formal education are needed in order to become an orthodontist in Canada. You must take and pass a renewal exam every decade to prove you are still able to practice at a high standard. There are, however, cases in which the candidates are accepted to the dental school after 3 or even 2 years of college and obtain their bachelor’s degree while also attending the courses of the dental school. Before you can begin study in the orthodontic specialty, you must complete dental school and become a fully-certified dentist. Orthodontists are trained in creating a healthy bite, developing proper alignment, understanding the size and position of your upper and lower jaws and identifying how your teeth are set within them. [1] X Research source Attend a four-year college to earn your Bachelor's degree and take courses that will prepare you for dental school. You can purchase practice exams as often as you'd like throughout the studying process to see how you're improving. There are plenty of opportunities for full-time or part-time work and career breaks are possible. Learn more... Orthodontists are dental specialists who correct improper alignment and straighten teeth. I'm only a junior in high school, and this gave me a lot of information I need to know so when I. Set aside at least an hour every weekday to study for the test. How long does it take to become an orthodontist? Recertification is required every ten years. Do I have to be super smart to become an orthodontist? Orthodontist assistants help provide patient care and treatment to correct dental problems and straighten teeth. Last Updated: September 18, 2020 Ask the Colgate Chatbot! An undergraduate degree in a science field is not a requirement for admission to dental school. No, but you do have to work hard and study! You will need to study for another two or three years to be ready to take the NBDE, and after that you will need to get a license from the state. Like medical school, dental school is highly demanding. Maybe you attend an orthodontist yourself or know someone who does. By using our site, you agree to our. Students split their time between coursework in anatomy, periodontics and radiology, as well as clinical practice, where they gain experience working with patients, according to the BLS. This article has been viewed 152,098 times. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Become-an-Orthodontist-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Orthodontist-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Become-an-Orthodontist-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1095382-v4-728px-Become-an-Orthodontist-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"