What Makes a Good Orthodontist?

While patients are more likely to understand good service than they are excellent treatment, a good orthodontist is able to combine the two. When you select an orthodontist, the quality of treatment is something you may not see, but it is what will give your teeth and mouth years of trouble-free use.

A good orthodontist excels in three categories, all of which are important to quality patient care. Obviously, technical ability, including diagnostic skills, are a must. Your dentist must be able to identify and correct any conditions in your mouth or with your teeth, and this requires both excellent training and ongoing learning. Your orthodontist needs to keep abreast of changes and advances in the field of dentistry, including the use of Self Ligating Braces (aka Damon Braces) or the Invisalign invisible braces, so that the best treatment options can be proposed.

Less medically necessary, but still important, a good orthodontist will also demonstrate strong personal skills. A surly dentist, or one who is intimidating, may perform just as well as another, but few will choose to visit or return to such a person when dental braces are needed. A caring attitude, which includes sympathy and friendliness, makes a good dentist even better. A great orthodontist will respect the patient, will be punctual and confident, and will have an attitude that puts even the most nervous patient at ease.

The ability to work under pressure and to perform under stress separates the best orthodontists from the rest. In some ways, practicing medicine is like piloting an airplane with extended periods of routine punctuated by moments of crisis. A great orthodontist will be alert for any possible problems, will prepare for them, and will handle them smoothly. Preventive care means avoiding future problems, and attention to detail is a necessary habit.

A good orthodontist will relate to a wide range of patients from many backgrounds and cultures. No two people react the same to dental work, including the application of braces, and a good orthodontist will notice and take into account varying levels of fear or apprehension.

A good orthodontist represents a combination of all these qualities, all of which play a role in selecting, fitting, and maintaining braces and correcting dental conditions.