Course Curriculum
Tooth Anatomy
Week 1
Students will learn tooth numbering systems, dental anatomy, tooth structure, eruption patterns, and orthodontic classifications. Topics include impacted canines, peg laterals, supernumerary teeth, and molar/canine classifications to build a strong orthodontic foundation.
Materials
Week 2
Students will become familiar with commonly used orthodontic materials including etch, bonding agents, bracket adhesive, steel ties, elastic ties (O-ties), coil springs, crimpable hooks, stops, and specialty orthodontic products used during treatment procedures.
Wires and Brackets
Week 3
This week focuses on orthodontic brackets and wire systems. Students will learn different bracket types including self-ligating, lingual, clear aligners and ceramic brackets, wire classifications and sizes, reverse curve wires, and bracket prescriptions such as Roth systems.
Instruments
Week 4
Students will identify and learn proper use of orthodontic instruments including cheek retractors, Nola retractors, distal end cutters, bracket removers, bird beak pliers, Weingarts, ligature cutters, Mathieu pliers, and additional specialty orthodontic tools used in daily clinical procedures.
Procedures
Week 5
Students will be introduced to common orthodontic procedures including records collection, consultations, bonding, adjustments, band placement, debonding, separators, impressions, orthodontic photography, digital scanning, indirect bonding, and radiographs including panoramic and cephalometric imaging.
Appliances
Week 6
Students will learn about fixed and removable orthodontic appliances including TPAs, Quad Helix appliances, LLHAs, expanders, space maintainers, retainers, Invisalign, tongue cribs, and additional specialty appliances used in orthodontic treatment. Infection control and OSHA protocols will also be reviewed throughout the program.
Hands on Training
Students will participate in weekly 6-hour hands-on training sessions held on Fridays or Saturdays to provide real-world clinical experience in an orthodontic office setting. During the first two weeks, students will focus on impressions, digital scanning, and hands-on practice using orthodontic typodonts. Weeks 3 through 6 will consist of clinical observation and supervised hands-on experience with orthodontic patients to help students develop practical orthodontic assisting skills and confidence in a clinical environment.
Final Exam
The final examination will consist of both a written and clinical competency exam. The written examination will assess the student’s understanding of the course curriculum and orthodontic concepts reviewed throughout the program. The clinical examination will evaluate patient care and communication, patient education, clinical note documentation, orthodontic adjustments, and completion of a full bonding procedure to demonstrate clinical competency and readiness for an orthodontic assisting environment.
