Becoming an orthodontist demands dedication and commitment, yet it can be a fulfilling career. Orthodontists help patients achieve straight, healthy smiles that can last a lifetime. Here, we discuss how many years it takes to become an orthodontist and the benefit of receiving care under this specialty.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a distinct area of dentistry dedicated to identifying and addressing malocclusion, often referred to as bad bites. This specialty focuses on the alignment of teeth and jaws, leading to a healthier smile and improved oral health.
How long does it take to be an orthodontist?
To become an orthodontist, there is a fairly lengthy educational journey. Typically, it requires around 10 to 12 years of formal university training to earn certification as an orthodontics specialist. This is necessary as orthodontists help to shape a healthy mouth and manage complex conditions that require a well-rounded understanding of the oral structure and the conditions that affect them.
What does the path to becoming an orthodontist look like?
Becoming an orthodontist involves three main stages: obtaining a Bachelor's degree, successfully completing dental school, and finishing a residency. Additionally, there are various tests and exams required at different stages, along with ongoing education and certifications for those who wish to specialize further.
Bachelor's Degree
To pursue a career in orthodontics, a student must complete a four-year Bachelor of Science degree. This degree is essential for gaining admission to dental school.
Dental School
Each school has different admissions requirements, but generally, individuals need to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) as part of the application. They must also provide your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.
Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
The DAT is a standardized test required for dental school applications in Canada. It assesses knowledge in biology, chemistry, reading comprehension, and perceptual ability. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) administers this exam. Essentially, the DAT serves as the dental equivalent of the MCAT.
There are four subjects covered by the DAT:
- Survey of Natural Sciences: This section assesses knowledge in undergraduate biology and chemistry. Since dentistry is part of healthcare, a solid grasp of the sciences is essential for achieving success in this field.
- Perceptual ability: This section evaluates problem-solving skills in addressing visual and 3D challenges.
- Reading comprehension: This section evaluates your skills in reading, analyzing, and interpreting written English.
- Dexterity test: This section evaluates skills in precisely shaping a cylindrical soap bar into a designated geometric form. Since manual dexterity is essential in dentistry, this section holds significant importance.
After being accepted into dental school, a student will typically undergo four years of education and training. In the fourth year, students will have the chance to participate in a rotation focused on orthodontics. This provides a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the field and determine if it aligns with their interests.
Upon graduating from dental school, they will receive either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Both degrees carry the same recognition from provincial dental licensing authorities throughout Canada.
At this point, students must take the licensing exam from the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB). After successfully passing this exam, they will be licensed to practice dentistry in Canada. Remember, this exam is quite challenging and occurs only once a year.
Orthodontic Residence
After finishing all of the necessary components to qualify as a dentist, the next step is to apply for an orthodontic residency program. This specialty training requires an additional two to three years to complete. Upon graduating from the orthodontic residency, you will receive a Master’s degree.
The toughest challenge is gaining admission. This is because there are usually limited spots open and only a handful of orthodontic schools nationwide.
So achieving the highest grades in dental school is often crucial, as only the top candidates gain admission to orthodontics. After finishing your orthodontic residency, the last step to becoming a certified orthodontist in Canada is to pass the National Dental Specialty Examination of Canada (NDSE), which serves as the licensing exam for dental specialists.
Upon passing this exam, students will be eligible for licensing as an orthodontist in Canada. It is conducted once a year and is quite challenging. The exam aims to evaluate the student's expertise and clinical abilities in orthodontics. This represents the final hurdle to becoming an orthodontist.
Additional Certifications
Orthodontics is a constantly evolving field, driven by new discoveries and updated best practices. Practitioners learn from colleagues, continually seeking innovative methods to enhance their services. With years of expertise, orthodontists craft optimal treatment plans, foresee and mitigate oral health concerns, and deliver exceptional care to every patient.
When seeking continued education in specific areas, orthodontists can find resources and courses in many places, including:
- Royal College of Dentists of Canada
- Canadian Association of Orthodontists
- Universities
- Product Companies (like Align Technology and 3M)
- Candian Dental Association
The Importance of Visiting an Orthodontist for Complex Cases
Using their knowledge of facial and dental growth, orthodontists can diagnose and apply orthodontic treatments. Orthodontists often have a deeper insight into tooth and jaw alignment than general dentists due to their specialized training in this field. Their knowledge is typically centered around severe misalignments of teeth, irregularities in jaw development, and significant orthodontic challenges that go beyond minor issues like slight crowding or minor gaps.
Through their education and residencies, orthodontists gain the experience needed to tackle challenging issues with multi-disciplinary methods. This can sometimes involve collaborating with other dental specialists to combine jaw realignment and braces, resulting in significant enhancements that go beyond what general dentists can offer alone.