Why consult a specialist orthodontist rather than a general dentist with an interest in orthodontics
Dr Mahmoud Pourghadiri and Dr Sarah Good are specialist orthodontists committed to providing their patients with the highest quality of care in friendly and state-of-the-art surroundings in the centre of London.
It has been proven that improvements in personal appearance contribute to greater mental and physical well-being. Creating a beautiful smile through orthodontics is a reliable way of improving the health of your teeth as well as your self-esteem. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve one’s general attitude toward life.
If left untreated, crooked teeth could lead to an improper bite, tooth wear, tooth injury and even tooth decay and gum disease. Crooked teeth can also lead to a decrease in one’s personal self-confidence. Treatment by a specialist orthodontist to correct the original problem is often less costly than the additional dental care required to treat more serious problems that can develop in later years. It is also more cost-effective to go straight to a specialist, rather than having a bite problems re-treated after lack of success by someone with less know-how in the subject.
Dr Pourghadiri and Dr Good are British-trained specialist orthodontists.
They are highly trained professionals who have completed five-year university dentistry degree courses to obtain a dental qualification; then worked in various branches of dentistry to gain a broad working knowledge and experience of its different fields; gained success in additional professional exams; and then completed approved three-year full-time university and hospital postgraduate orthodontic specialist training programmes to achieve higher qualifications. These qualifications include Membership in Orthodontics of at least one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, and a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics.
Orthodontics has long been a specialised discipline, though general dentists are also legally entitled to perform procedures in any branch of dentistry. However, specialist orthodontists are the most highly trained experts in the field of orthodontics, limiting their practice to the treatment of orthodontic problems only, and able to address more complex jaw and facial issues.
Being a specialist orthodontist requires professional skill in the diagnosis and identification of facial and jaw disharmony and dental abnormality; as well as the design, application and control of a wide range of corrective and discreet appliances or braces that can bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance for a lifetime of beautiful healthy smiles.
The advantages of seeing a specialist orthodontist rather than a general dentist for straightening your teeth are numerous:
- Specialist orthodontists have more extensive experience from the outset as they are required to treat many orthodontic cases as part of their training. This gives them the confidence to deal with more complex cases, and hidden or unexpected challenges. Later in their careers, they become even more proficient as they limit their practice to orthodontics only.
- Specialist orthodontists don’t just straighten teeth; they can correct issues with your jaws and bite, ensuring your bite is comfortable and functional at the end of treatment.
- Because of their more extensive skills and knowledge, specialist orthodontists can offer a wider range of solutions and braces and unlike many dentists with an interest in orthodontics are not limited to just one system or restricted to quick-fix fads.
- Specialist orthodontists are better equipped to invest in the latest technology and be the first to carry out new treatment opportunities.
- Specialist orthodontists attend regular continuing professional development training programmes and conferences at a much higher echelon.
- Specialist orthodontists are definitely value for money – the cost of braces is very similar with a general dentist or a specialist orthodontist, but specialist orthodontists generally offer a higher quality of care and ‘finish’ and more skilled and expert care pound for pound.
- Specialists orthodontists can guarantee you a better chance of success, and remain responsible for the outcome of treatment without the need to refer you on to someone more qualified … they are already the most qualified specialists in the field of orthodontics!
