Pediatric Dentistry vs Orthodontics

[PrettyNerd]

Hi,

I want to be a Pediatric Dentist but Orthodontics caught my eye, too. I know it's extremely hard to get an Ortho residency but I was wondering if most Ortho patients were children? I'm assuming they are but I just want to make sure. If they are, I guess there isn't a such thing as a Pediatric Orthodontist, right?

Thanks, in advance, for the info! 😀

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[3puttinHacker]

Well if you really want to optimistic go through both pediatrics and ortho...and then you are an pediatric orthodontist! 🙂

 

[PrettyNerd]

Well if you really want to optimistic go through both pediatrics and ortho...and then you are an pediatric orthodontist! 🙂

Lol I know, right? 😛

But what about my question...do orthodontists normally just see children?

I'm a new pre-dent and a tad confused. Despite the research I've done, I can't find this answer so I was hoping some SDNers could help me.

 

[fsddsms]

quick question: is pediatric dentistry a specialized dentistry requiring more years of school after getting the DDS/DMD? or are u simply a dentist choosing to work with only children.

 

[4thMolar]

quick question: is pediatric dentistry a specialized dentistry requiring more years of school after getting the DDS/DMD? or are u simply a dentist choosing to work with only children.

Yes, pediatric dentistry is a specialty that will require more years of residency after you get your initial DDS/DMD. I guess you can become a general dentist and see mainly pediatric patients, but you won't have the training and skills for someone who went to school to specialize.

 

[sketo43]

Lol I know, right? 😛

But what about my question...do orthodontists normally just see children?

I'm a new pre-dent and a tad confused. Despite the research I've done, I can't find this answer so I was hoping some SDNers could help me.

Orthodontists mostly treat people that are ~ 10-16 years old, but there's no age limit, and some adults get braces. I've read in a couple different places that 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. So you would probably be treating some adults, but mostly kids.

If you run your own practice, and you don't want to treat adults, I guess you don't have to - there are other orthodontists that would be more than happy to take on those cases!

 

[PrettyNerd]

Orthodontists mostly treat people that are ~ 10-16 years old, but there's no age limit, and some adults get braces. I've read in a couple different places that 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. So you would probably be treating some adults, but mostly kids.

Oh, ok...thanks!

If you run your own practice, and you don't want to treat adults, I guess you don't have to - there are other orthodontists that would be more than happy to take on those cases!

Well, when the time comes...I'll be keeping those patients. I'd prefer to have kids as patients but adults will be ok. There will be no giving away of my patients.