To experience a day in the life of an orthodontist begins long before the first patient walks through the door. In order to earn the title of orthodontist you have to go through years of hard work and dedication, starting with the initial decision to pursue a career in dental health. Even after dental university graduation the path to your first day as an orthodontist includes extensive training and specialization. Then an orthodontic residency focusing on the alignment of teeth and jaws.
Once you’ve acquired your orthodontic license and have been certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, you can open your practice. It’s clear that becoming an orthodontist requires significant discipline and compassion to improving patients’ smiles and oral health, a commitment that is evident in every aspect of an orthodontist’s daily routine.
Starting every day with a smile
For an orthodontist, starting the day with a smile is both a literal and figurative sentiment. A typical day begins in the office where the staff prepares for a schedule filled with diverse cases. The morning huddle is crucial, ensuring that the entire team is on the same page. During this time, the orthodontist reviews patient charts, plans the day’s procedures and addresses any special needs or concerns.
Once the office is open and patients begin to arrive for appointments, it’s important to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This helps to put patients at ease as dental healthcare can be stressful for a variety of reasons. Every patient from the youngest child to the oldest adult should be greeted with a smile, setting a positive tone for their visit.
A satisfying end to the day
As the day progresses the orthodontist sees a variety of patients each with unique stories and orthodontic needs. The satisfaction of seeing patients leave with brighter smiles is immense and you go home at the end of the day knowing you have helped others.
Whether it’s a teenager getting their braces tightened or an adult starting their journey with Invisalign®, every interaction contributes to the orthodontist’s sense of fulfillment. Stories of families bringing siblings in for check-ups or adults sharing how their new smiles have boosted their confidence are common.
Thanks to changes in the industry, nearly all treatments can now be completed relatively quickly. For example, iTero technology has allowed us to say goodbye to plaster molds or traditional dental impressions, making treatments more efficient and precise. Todays’ state-of-the-art innovations ensure that every patient receives the best possible care, making a day in the life of an orthodontist incredibly rewarding.