It takes a lot of work to become an orthodontic expert. There is a lot of school, a lot of studying, a lot of hard work that is needed to propel yourself in the field and really become an expert in oral health and all things related to orthodontic services. This profession is not one you can achieve overnight. Pursuing a life in dentist orthodontics takes time and effort. It is a long journey but a journey that can make your life better and so rewarding.
When we think of all the time and energy and effort it took to become an orthodontist, we think it was all well worth it. Why? Because being an orthodontist is a career unlike any other. It has its challenges and there are certainly parts of the job that may not be for everyone. But at the end of the day, being an orthodontist is one of the best ways to truly and powerfully affect someone’s life for the better. We don’t just create smiles because of our job, we change lives too.
When you are trying to decide which career path to take, you should ask yourself what your goals are. Are you looking to study a specific field? Are you wanting a regular schedule or a certain amount of pay? Are you looking for a desired title? That’s a fine way to decide what you want to do with your life. However, if you are looking for a certain feeling with your career, being an orthodontist might be right up your alley. That feeling that you encounter so much as an orthodontist is one of joy and comfort and a true exhilaration. We see it and feel it all the time when our patients are finally given the smiles they have always wanted. That pure elation is hard to describe but it makes everything worth it. It is more rewarding than any sort of salary or award could be. The joys of being an orthodontist are seen every time a patient smiles fully and happily for the first time.
There is more to love about being an orthodontist and other things to consider if you are thinking this might be the career choice for you or your child. Do you like science? Orthodontics has plenty of that. Trust us, you will be hitting the books hard when you are in school. What about engineering? Do you enjoy building something and feel a sense of achievement when it turns out exactly like you planned? You will get loads of that if you become an orthodontist. And while you may not believe it, there is a level of artistry that you achieve when you are an orthodontist. It’s true, creating a set of strong, straight, healthy teeth really does feel like crafting a masterpiece of a painting sometimes. There is a definite artistic touch to this line of work.
As you can see, orthodontics isn’t as simple as some people think it is. It is a lot more nuanced, artistic, and personable than you might imagine. Plus, it is always changing and becoming more exciting.
The field of orthodontics is an ever-expanding one. As the years go on, technology, medicine, and science advance and create new opportunities and new ways to help patients. Even in the last few years, there have been new discoveries and inventions that have propelled the entire industry forward by leaps and bounds. That is what makes being an orthodontist so riveting. If you choose to invest your life in this profession, there is a good chance it will only become more important during your career. Years ago, no one had heard of Invisalign for example. Now that is helping millions of people every year. What other wonders await orthodontics? You never know what amazing advancement is right around the corner.
Perhaps the biggest thing to consider when you think of becoming an orthodontist is the life-changing effect you will have on your patients. That alone is more valuable than you could ever expect. You might not think so but repairing and assisting someone’s smile is one of the most powerful things you can do. It is a gift unlike any you can give. There is a certain look that your clients will give you when the job is completed and they can truly look at themselves with pride in the mirror. In our field, we see a lot of people who are suffering not just physically, but emotionally. You lose a lot of confidence when you aren’t looking the way you would like. Being an orthodontist is about instilling that sense of self-worth and appreciation. We give people something that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives: pride.
If the reasons listed above have you enticed, you may be wondering what the next steps are. How do you become an orthodontist? Honestly, it takes some work. Most potential doctors attend a college or university for four years. If you do that, pick a major that is related to science since it lends itself to orthodontics. Once you graduate, it’ll be off to dental school for you. Following those four years, you will find an orthodontic residency training program to join. Then and only then will you be ready to finally dive headfirst into your profession.
Does it take a long time to become a proper orthodontist? Yes, it does. It is a lot of work and a lot of schooling. But it’s all so worth it because the end result is a career that changes lives and rewards you in the greatest ways. Plus, throughout all of your time in school and training you are learning more, perfecting your skills, and making friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime. You will find yourself driven to try harder and get better and better. Not just for yourself, but for your future clients as well.
Orthodontics is one of the few careers that is rewarding for both the client and the professional. While those who visit your office will be given good health and joy and results they have only dreamed of, you will be given the ultimate reward: a sense that you have truly touched and changed a life forever.
