Picture this: A professional who combines artistic vision with medical precision to transform not just smiles, but often people’s entire self-confidence and quality of life.
Think about the last time you saw someone’s “before and after” orthodontic treatment photos. That dramatic transformation is the work of an orthodontist, who uses advanced technology and deep understanding of facial growth patterns to gradually move teeth and reshape jaws into optimal positions.
These professionals serve as the architects of healthy, functional, and aesthetic smiles, working with patients throughout extended treatment periods that often span several years.
Total employment: 6,400 (2023)
Common Names for Orthodontists
- Board Certified Orthodontist
- Orthodontic Dentist
- Orthodontic Specialist
- Orthodontics Doctor
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist
What Orthodontists Do
Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. Their core responsibilities include:
- Patient Diagnosis: Examine patients’ teeth, jaws, and facial structures to assess misalignments and determine appropriate treatment plans, ensuring proper oral function and aesthetic improvement.
- Treatment Planning: Develop customized treatment strategies using patient records, X-rays, photos, and medical histories to create effective correction plans that address specific dental misalignment issues.
- Appliance Management: Design, fit, and adjust orthodontic appliances like braces, aligners, and retainers to gradually move teeth into proper positions, improving both function and appearance.
- Progress Monitoring: Conduct regular patient evaluations to track treatment progress, make necessary adjustments to orthodontic devices, and ensure treatment goals are being met effectively.
- Patient Education: Provide comprehensive information to patients and caregivers about oral hygiene, treatment procedures, and maintenance requirements to ensure successful treatment outcomes.
- Treatment Coordination: Collaborate with dental professionals, including general dentists and oral surgeons, to coordinate comprehensive care plans that address complex cases requiring multiple specialists.
- Records Management: Maintain detailed patient records, including treatment progress, medical histories, and imaging documents, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and continuity of care.
- Emergency Care: Address urgent orthodontic issues such as broken appliances or unexpected complications to prevent treatment disruption and maintain patient comfort.
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