No one ever really enjoys a visit to any medical practitioner. However, we all must have regular checkups for the sake of our health. One particular doctor, that you might not clearly understand is the orthodontist.
Just as you may have specialist doctors like cardiologists, orthodontists are specialist dentists. These medical practitioners concern themselves with treating malocclusions (improper bites), that normally result from disproportionate jaw relationships and/ or tooth irregularities. Basically, they offer to fix crooked teeth, correct overcrowding of teeth and give you perfectly symmetrical teeth and jaw alignment that can make for a perfect smile.
Why would anyone want a really good smile? Well, simply because your personal appearance has an effect on how you feel and think about yourself. Furthermore, a report by the Brigham Young University-Idaho reveals just how much your personal appearance can affect the manner in which others react or respond towards you.
Fortunately, visits to the orthodontist don't require referrals from a dentist. You can simply arrange for an appointment and have an evaluation of your personal dental needs.
Visit A Certified Orthodontist
When selecting the right orthodontist who will provide proper professional service, you must consider only one who is certified by the Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO). Your orthodontist should be a member of this professional association which ensures that high professional and ethical standards are promoted and maintained by all its members. Without this certification, the orthodontist would not be accountable and seeking recourse for any malpractice might be much more difficult.
Membership in the Australian Society of Orthodontists follows strict guidelines that each orthodontist must abide by. These entail high levels of qualifications that ensure the practice carried out by such an orthodontist will cater to patients' needs and will be to the best possible standards. The requirements include:
All members of the Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO), must complete a five-year degree in Dentistry (Bachelor of Science). This provides the main foundational knowledge in core biomedical, as well as dental sciences, so that an orthodontist can also understand the medical, community and social context of the dental clinical practice. This is where your orthodontist learns a good bedside manner and develops the proper etiquette in handling patients in a humane, understanding and caring manner. With this qualification, an orthodontist would be eligible to receive certification by the Dental Board of Australia and practice dentistry in all states and territories within Australian.
A full-time 3-year Orthodontics Masters Degree, which represents 4,000+ hours of dedicated post-graduate education as a specialist. This is the stage at which orthodontists acquire the specialist skill to diagnose, prevent and treat orthodontic problems. The master's degree program also equips orthodontists with the expertise to effectively use different types of appliances including clear aligner trays, braces and retainers. Such appliances are used in moving teeth or holding them in new positions.
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