The Eight Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your Family’s Orthodontist
1. An orthodontist is a dentist, who after graduating from dental school, completes additional full-time university based education in an accredited orthodontic residency program. This specialized training lasts at least 2-3 academic years, and sometimes longer.
By learning about tooth movement (orthodontics) and guidance of facial development (dentofacial orthopedics), orthodontists are specifically educated experts in dentistry to straighten teeth and align jaws.
Orthodontists limit their practices to orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Orthodontic treatment is what they do, and all they do. Selecting an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) will assure that you have chosen a dental specialist with at least two to three years of advanced specialty education in orthodontics in a university-based program accredited by the American Dental Association. You can find a complete listing of accredited orthodontists on the American Association of Orthodontists website:
www.Braces.org.
2. You enjoy many additional benefits and added peace of mind when you entrust your family’s orthodontic care to a qualified orthodontic specialist. In some instances today, general dentists are performing orthodontic procedures, including but not limited to Invisalign or Clear Aligner treatment, that may better be left to an orthodontic specialist who has the experience and comprehensive orthodontic training to ensure favorable, healthy, and stable results for yourself and your child.
3. Did you know that legislation has been introduced in parts of the United States preventing dentists from conveying to the public that they are dental specialists if they have not completed the education for that dental specialty, as defined by the American Dental Association? In some areas of the country, it has become common for general dentists to claim that they are proficient at orthodontic procedures. Dr. Mark Blaisdell, past president of the Utah Dental Association said, “When the public cannot determine who is treating them, then there is a problem…the public needs a clear understanding.” There IS a difference between an orthodontic specialist and general dentist.
4. At the time of their initial orthodontic evaluation, many children are not ready for orthodontic treatment. If your child does not require orthodontic treatment at the time of your initial visit, Dr. Murthy prefers to wait until the appropriate time to start.
5. Dr. Murthy is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) School of Dental Medicine. He continued his education past dental school for another three years and completed his specialty training in orthodontics from UPENN. Dr. Murthy has been an orthodontist in practice for six years and is Board Certified, by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), which is the only orthodontic board recognized by the American Dental Association.
6. To seek treatment from an orthodontic specialist, you do not need to be referred by a general dentist. In fact, more than 50 percent of patients that are treated by Dr. Murthy were not referred by a general dentist, but rather sought out his treatment based on his reputation for dedicated personal care.
7. Orthodontic treatment is not just for children any longer! Many of Dr. Murthy’s adult patients are learning that a healthy, attractive smile can enhance their careers, as well as their self-esteem and happiness.
8. Orthodontics is a long-term commitment with a possibility of two to two-and-a half years of active treatment, and one to two years of retention follow-up. Orthodontic associates in a general dentist practice may change their location before your orthodontic treatment is completed. This may result in an increase in treatment time, an undesirable orthodontic result, and or the need to find another orthodontist to finish treatment. This is one more reason to specifically seek treatment in an orthodontic office.