These days, many general dentists are advertising their orthodontic services. Some offer Invisalign®, or even limited braces. We respect our general dentist colleagues, and know that they are very skilled in their field of expertise. However, when it comes to the alignment of your teeth, a board certified orthodontist has more extensive training to help you achieve your best and healthiest smile.
Many people are not sure of the differences between a dentist, an orthodontist, and a board certified orthodontist. A dentist has graduated from an accredited school of dentistry. Admissions to these schools are competitive, and it takes four years of hard work to graduate. The recipient receives a doctoral degree in dentistry (either a DDS or a DMD degree). All orthodontists are dentists first.
After dental school, some graduates choose to pursue additional training in a specialty. If a dentist wants to become an orthodontist, he or she must first apply and be admitted to a residency program in orthodontics. These programs are very competitive. After two to three years of dedicated training (remember, this is after four years in dental school), he or she becomes an orthodontist.
The orthodontist has the option to stop there. Some, however, decide to complete the rigorous process to become certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, the only orthodontics specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association. This requires orthodontist on the upper west side to successfully complete both a written and an oral examination, and to have their clinical practice reviewed by peers to verify the highest levels of care for their patients. After this, the orthodontist becomes board certified, but even that isn’t the end of the process. To maintain board certification, a board certified orthodontist must renew certification every ten years.
Because of the rigor of the board certification process, most orthodontists are not board certified. Only those who complete their orthodontic training go on to complete the rigorous board certification process.
While most patients who seek orthodontic treatment are focused on the cosmetic benefit of a beautiful smile, there is much more to orthodontics than that. To get a result that not only looks great, but also includes a healthy alignment of the bite, your Manhattan orthodontist needs to understand many issues, including the development of the teeth and facial bones, how to effectively move teeth in several different directions, and how to create a well-aligned bite that will keep the teeth, as well as the bones and joints of the face, healthy for a lifetime.
In order to provide optimal orthodontic treatment, multiple modalities are often needed. An orthodontist is trained in the wide variety of different technologies that can be used to align the teeth and encourage healthy bone growth. Training in only one type of treatment is not enough; different patients have different needs, and the best treatment for one patient may not provide a good result for another. For example, some patients can get a great result from Invisalign®, while others would do better with braces, or need surgical orthodontics to achieve the best result. Someone offering only one type of treatment would miss the opportunity to help some patients achieve their goals. This is why orthodontists spend several years in training. Your board certified orthodontist on the upper west side, Dr. Pliakas, has gone above and beyond to demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of the entire field of orthodontics.
Those seeking an orthodontist in New York City, especially those who want to find an orthodontist on the Upper West Side, will be pleased to learn that Dr. Pliakas is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. If you would like to straighten your teeth and align your bite for the healthiest possible smile, come visit an orthodontic professional with the highest possible level of education and training. Dr. Pliakas has proved his commitment to providing the very best patient care as an orthodontist on the upper west side. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with your local board certified orthodontist, contact us.
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our orthodontics office on the Upper West Side would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
Manhattan, NY orthodontist, on the Upper West Side, Dr. Pliakas, takes great pride in providing you with the best orthodontic treatment options by having the most advanced technology available, including retainers after treatment. With Central Park Orthodontics you can enjoy treatment times up to 50% faster than with traditional metal braces. We provide so many options from Invisalign to Orthopedics to Propel to Acceledent. During a 100% no-obligation Smile Assessment, we will assess your or your child’s unique mouth.
Central Park Orthodontics understands the importance of making braces affordable. That is why we offer affordable payment plans for braces, interest-free!
When you are ready, click here to schedule your appointment which includes a comprehensive exam, a personalized consultation, and more. Call today!
Central Park Orthodontics
271A Central Park West
(entrance on W.87th St.)
New York, NY 10024
Phone: 646.762.5400
