Introduction: The objectives of this study were to identify differences between generations of orthodontists in the United States and to evaluate the perspective of each generation on widely debated topics in orthodontics.
Methods: A 22-item Institutional Review Board-approved survey was randomly distributed to orthodontists in the United States and Canada. Participants were asked questions about the use of technology, the future of clear aligner therapy, orthodontic education, student debt, marketing, and corporate orthodontics, among other topics.
Results: Significant increase in female orthodontists over generations and a decrease in orthodontic educators were found (P <0.001). Among generations, differences were found regarding the amount of student debt, use of specific diagnostic tools, marketing preferences, and their opinion on the future of clear aligner therapy. Most of the silent generation did not have student debt, whereas millennials reported paying off their debt in 1 year to >20 years and being most heavily burdened by student debt. Younger generations appeared more likely to use cone-beam computed tomography and intraoral imaging, whereas older generations preferred traditional diagnostic tools such as hand-wrist radiographs and alginate impressions. Most of the silent generation indicated not marketing their practices, whereas millennials rely heavily on social media and e-mails for marketing.
Conclusions: Clear distinctions exist between different generations of orthodontists. Issues such as increasing student debt load and a decrease in orthodontic educators over generations should be addressed to preserve the future of the orthodontic specialty.
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