The dental industry is enormous. It’s worth billions of dollars, and it’s highly competitive. There are more than 197,000 dental clinics in the country, each vying for patients.
If you’re considering dental school, you must choose the right specialization. Being a good dentist is not enough; you need to be the best at your work. Otherwise, you’ll get lost in the sea of dental practices out there.
Here are five of the best dental specializations:
Orthodontics
This is the dental specialization that deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other dental appliances to align teeth correctly. They also treat dental problems related to bite disorders. Once you become an orthodontist, you can also become a dental implantologist. This specialty is in high demand because of the country’s growing need for dental implants. Orthodontists can earn as much as $225,760 a year.
Orthodontics requires dental school and two to three years of residency training. You also need technological investments, such as dental X-ray machines, dental imaging software, and braces.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontists are dental specialists who restore natural teeth lost due to injury, disease, or any other reason. They also make artificial replacements for missing teeth called dental prosthetics. This includes dental implants, dentures, veneers, and crowns. Prosthodontists need to have excellent artistic skills because they often work with dental ceramists to create dental prosthetics that look natural and blend in with the patient’s smile. The difference between an orthodontist and a prosthodontist is that the latter focuses on the aesthetics of the teeth while the former focuses on the function.
Prosthodontics requires dental school and three years of residency training. In addition, you need good laboratory facilities because you’ll work with dental technicians to create dental prosthetics. You’ll also need access to dental laboratory equipment similar to the ones used by orthodontists.
Endodontics
This dental specialization is concerned with the treatment of dental pulp. Endodontists fix root canals, which save teeth damaged by decay or injury. They also treat other conditions related to dental pulp, such as abscesses. In some cases, endodontists also work with dental implants.
Endodontics requires dental school and two to three years of residency training. In addition, you need access to dental X-ray machines and other diagnostic equipment.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who treat conditions related to the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. They often work with orthodontists and prosthodontists to correct dental problems. They also perform surgeries on the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. Some oral and maxillofacial surgeons also work with cosmetic surgeons to improve the appearance of the face.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery requires dental school and four to six years of residency training. In addition, you need access to surgical facilities, such as operating rooms and dental X-ray machines.
Your salary as a surgeon can vary, but you can usually earn around $200,000 per year.
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentists are dental specialists who treat children’s teeth. They often work with orthodontists to correct dental problems in children. They also perform preventive measures to avoid dental problems in children.
Pediatric dentistry requires dental school and two to three years of residency training. In addition, you need access to pediatric dental equipment, such as child-sized dental chairs and toothbrushes. The average salary of a pediatric dentist is $145,000.
These are five of the best dental specializations. Choose one that you’re interested in and start your journey.
These are five of the best dental specializations. However, you won’t get anywhere without marketing. Here’s how you can market your specialization.
Marketing Your Specialization
The best way to market your dental specialization is to create a niche. This means that you focus on a specific group of people or a specific type of dental problem. For example, you could specialize in treating children’s teeth or concentrate on orthodontics.
Creating a niche will make it easier for you to market your specialization because you’ll be able to target a specific group of people. It will also make it easier for you to stand out from the competition.
Once you’ve created a niche, you need to start marketing your dental practice. The best way to do this is to create a website and use social media. You can also use traditional marketing methods, such as print ads and television commercials.
You should also consider joining professional organizations like the American Dental Association. This will give you access to resources you can use to market your dental practice.
Both specialization and marketing are essential to succeeding in the dental industry. By having both, you can create a successful dental practice and increase interest in your clinic.