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Beautifully straight, even teeth make for a great smile. They also contribute to overall good health. Orthodontists have the skills—to help people both look AND feel better. Orthodontists treat abnormalities in how the upper and lower teeth fit together, called the “bite.” They study each patient’s mouth and jaw, using dental and medical histories, X-rays, and plaster models of the teeth. After diagnosing a problem, the orthodontist creates appliances such as braces or retainers to help straighten the teeth. This profession requires excellent hand coordination— and good vision, as the “work space” can be as small as a child’s tooth. A friendly, reassuring “bedside manner” is helpful for treating patients who find orthodontist visits stressful. Many orthodontists work for themselves in their own practice, or in a group practice with other dental professionals. It can be a physically challenging job; during an average work day, orthodontists often spend several hours standing and bending. These are highly trained medical professionals– with four years of college, four years of dental school, and two to three years of post-graduate orthodontics training, followed by certification and licensing exams. After all that training, we have orthodontists to thank for providing millions of happy, healthy smiles!