The last two decades have brought many changes to the orthodontist training department. It started as a profession revolving around analogue tools and manual techniques. And while at its core, there is still all of that, there are many things that have changed. There are many new tools and techniques, based on technology, that an expert must know today. Which is why it’s essential to that an orthodontist course, even if you think that you already know everything. This article goes through some of the changes that happened over the last 20 years.
Digital Orthodontist Training
Bracket placement, wire bending and plaster models were the issues of orthodontists 20 years ago. But the experts of today have many more tools that they need to know how to use. 3D imaging and CBCT became an important part of the orthodontic world, and you basically cannot work in the industry without knowing about them. Orthodontist training is now revolving around technology and how it can improve the efficiency of dental procedures. Almost every clinic uses technology in all its processes, which is why it is so important to have the ability to use it.
Digital orthodontist training ensures that you are comfortable navigating software and digital biomechanics. As an example, treatment planning software is used in braces and aligner cases. Intraoral scanning has been proven to be more effective and reliable than traditional impressions. Patients trust technology because it allows for quicker and more precise solutions to their problems. All of the tools used now allow the professional to basically see into the future. An orthodontist course can teach you about all of these things, both theoretically and practically, so that you are ready for any situation.
Continue Your Orthodontic Education
The profession of an orthodontist requires constant teaching, because better techniques are constantly invented. In the early 2000s, an orthodontist course required you to go physically, which was pretty complicated for many people. Many of them couldn’t afford to lose days of work to go to a course. But today you can take these courses online, in your own time. This allows even the busiest people to continue their education, which is a great opportunity. There are usually different formats you can choose from:
- Pre-recorded video courses
- Live sessions with the teacher
- Subscription models (when you have access to materials for a recurring fee)
You can choose the option that fits your schedule the best. The fact that you can study online gives you access to more materials. You can learn from people all around the world without leaving your living room. If you want to be up to date with everything happening in your industry, you definitely need an orthodontist course. These programs can take up to 12 months, depending on the information that’s being delivered. You will often have support from the tutor and access to a community, where you can discuss with other professionals. You can also use these kinds of courses to expand your scope of practice.
An Evidence-Based Education
There are many disciplines that you might understand in order to be a good orthodontist. It’s probably one of the most multi-disciplinary professions out there. And it’s clearly one of our newer sciences. Practitioners need to know how to interpret studies and statistical findings. The truth is that, two decades ago, this practice needed some luck too. Orthodontists didn’t have all of the tools of today, which allow them to look into how the teeth will move in the future. Today, you can show your patients how their teeth will shift after the first few months.
Orthodontist training teaches you about all of the new things happening. You might’ve finished school many years ago, but you still want to be able to offer the newest and best services to your patients. Plus, it allows you to spot any trends that don’t have a scientific base, so that you can avoid them. As mentioned, you need to use science, together with other disciplines, in order to obtain the best results. Air functions, facial esthetics and occlusion need to be understood, and that can be clarified with the help of an orthodontic course.
Simulation-Based Learning and New Teaching Models
An orthodontic course can teach you all about the recent advancements. Simulation labs play an essential role in making sure you are ready for the experience of working with patients. By using digital modules and interactive software, you can practice bracket positioning and wire activation before working on real patients. This ensures that you will be ready to handle any kind of real situation. Some programs will even use 3D motion tracking or augmented reality systems that can evaluate technique and precision in real time.
Having seminars led by international experts gives you access to a kind of combined knowledge that wasn’t possible a few years ago. You can learn from people who are experts in different areas in the industry, learn new techniques and how to ensure that your patients will be happy with the results. Having the tools and skills to diagnose, but also the ones to treat, is a combination that many professionals still don’t have to this day. Open your mind to an education that is richer and grounded in the way the world works today.
Conclusion
Global exposure and digital enrichment are two of the elements that you need to have in your portfolio if you want to be a successful orthodontist. Thankfully, an orthodontist course can make these concepts clear to you, allowing you to get one step ahead of people who work in the industry. Keeping up with the advances happening in orthodontics allows you to provide better services for patients. Learning about the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration will open your eyes to new possible solutions for common problems that people have. You will also be able to use technology to test your ideas, without risking the real results.