Better Together at Amato Orthodontics: Behind the Scenes of Orthodontic Care

By Dakota Richardson, Aspiring Dental Hygienist

When I first stepped into Amato Orthodontics, I had no idea how fascinating the world of orthodontics could be. As someone who’s spent years in the patient’s chair, wearing braces and going through countless adjustments, being on the other side of the treatment was a total game-changer.

A Morning of Discoveries

The morning was eye-opening. I watched a patient getting her braces removed—that magical moment everyone with braces dreams about. After potentially years of treatment, this was the instant she’d finally see her transformed smile. For many patients, it’s the moment they’ve been counting down to since their very first orthodontic appointment.

First came the pliers to carefully remove each bracket, a process that requires precision. The team worked methodically, gently detaching the brackets that had been guiding her teeth into perfect alignment. Then came a drill to eliminate any remaining glue, cleaning each tooth with meticulous care. As someone who’s been through this journey, I understood the mix of excitement and anticipation the patient must have been feeling.

After cleaning her teeth, they took impressions for a permanent retainer on the bottom teeth and a new retainer for the top—ensuring her new smile would stay exactly where it should be. It was completely different watching the process instead of experiencing it, and I found myself appreciating the skill required—something I never fully understood when I was the one in the chair.

Retainers: More Than Just a Piece of Plastic

I learned there’s so much more to retainers than I thought. Patients can choose between clear top retainers, Hawley retainers with wires, or even permanent bottom retainers. Each option serves the same purpose: keeping those perfectly aligned teeth exactly where they should be.

The Real Challenges of Orthodontic Care

During my interview with Dr. Amato, I asked about the biggest challenges in his field. He candidly shared that poor oral hygiene and patient non-compliance are significant obstacles. “It turns out,” he explained, “wearing rubber bands and keeping appliances clean are just as important as the initial treatment.”

A Roadmap to Becoming an Orthodontist

Dr. Amato’s advice for aspiring professionals hit home. “Do job shadowing,” he said. “Some people think this is their dream, but hands-on experience reveals the truth.” The path is long—dental school, orthodontic programs, specialized training—but for those passionate about creating beautiful smiles, it’s worth every moment.

Looking Ahead: Future Oral Health Workforce Day

Speaking of passion, I’m excited about the upcoming Wisconsin AHEC Future Oral Health Workforce Day happening on Tuesday, April 15 at Lakeshore Community Health Care’s Sheboygan clinic. Dr. Amato’s words about getting hands-on experience are perfectly timed.

I’ll be participating in three incredible rotations that’ll give me a 360-degree view of oral healthcare:

• Dental Assistant Rotation Activities: Sealant, polish, and scaling
• Dental Hygienist Rotation Activities: Impressions, suctioning, and temporary crowns
• Dentist Rotation Activities: Placing a filling, mirror, and drilling

The four-hour event will be led by Lakeshore Community Health Care’s amazing team with leadership by Dr. Casey Wilson, Julie Risse, Heather Mulder, and Noelle Boeldt, along with NEWAHEC colleagues Char Barwin and Dana Ihlenfeldt. As a participant myself, I can’t wait to dive in and see firsthand the incredible work happening in oral healthcare.