Putting on braces is just one thing an orthodontist does.
An orthodontist is a dentist that practices in a sub-specialty of general dentistry called orthodontics, which involves the treatment of teeth and jaws that are misaligned. These repairs are done to ensure normal function and improve the physical appearance of an individual.
Orthodontist Statistics
There are 5,000 orthodontists in the U.S., with a mean annual of $194,930 as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Government Definition
Although most individuals associate orthodontists with putting braces on teeth to straighten them, the official definition of an orthodontist used by the BLS is much more inclusive, and refers to a person that engages in the following activity:
"Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance."
Orthodontist History
Pierre Fauchard, a Frenchman, is known as the "Father of Orthodontics." In 1728, he wrote a two-volume textbook called "The Surgeon Dentist: A Treatise on the Teeth."
Nomenclature
The word "orthodontics" also came from a Frenchman named Joachim Lefoulon who used the word "Orthodontosie" in his writings in the 1840s.
Industry Association
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is a trade group that represents orthodontists in the United States. Membership is restricted to those who successfully completed the full curriculum of an accredited orthodontic program, or enrolled as a student in one.
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