Orthodontics is a great field if you want to help people become healthier and more self-confident. Orthodontists use various therapies, like braces, to straighten patients’ jaws and teeth, giving them more self-confidence in their smiles and preventing health issues down the line. This video explains the steps it takes to become an orthodontist.
If you want to become an orthodontist, you first need to become a dentist. To get into dental school you need to first get your undergraduate degree. Contrary to common opinions, you don’t need to major in a science or health-related field in order to get into dental school. There are certain classes you need to take, but you can major in art, history, political science, or anything else!
You will then apply to dental school and attend for four years. After four years, you will apply to a residency in orthodontics. Of course, over the course of the four years in dental school, you will be exposed to various types of specialties that you can choose instead of orthodontics. You can also decide to skip specialties and become a practicing dentist right away!
Orthodontics residencies take about two to three years. After you complete your residency, you can continue to take residencies or fellowships to become more specialized, or start practicing orthodontics! For more information, check out the video above.
