Nashua, NH – If you or someone in your family needs orthodontic treatment, you want to be sure you’re seeking out care from the best. And that means you should seek treatment from a board-certified orthodontist.
But does it mean to be a certified orthodontist, and why does it matter to you? The team at Chelian Orthodontics explains more.
What Does It Take to Become an Orthodontist?
To use the title orthodontist, one must:
Complete an undergraduate degree and then complete a four-year dental degree to earn either a DDS or DMD
Complete a two or three-year residency at an accredited orthodontic program, where they learn the specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
After successfully completing these steps, one may then begin practicing as a licensed orthodontist.
Board certification is the voluntary next step available to show an orthodontist’s expertise and commitment to their craft. The American Board of Orthodontists administers this program, which is a rigorous, multi-step exam process that includes:
Written exam that is a comprehensive test of orthodontic knowledge and clinical skills
Clinical exam and case submission, which includes submission of successfully treated cases that include a wide range of malocclusions. A panel of experts will review these cases to ensure the orthodontist can apply their written knowledge to hands-on cases to achieve high-quality results.
Only one in three orthodontists currently practicing is board-certified. Why does that matter for your smile?
Why Board Certification Matters for Your Smile
Seeking out a board-certified orthodontist can take the guesswork out of things for you. You don’t have to wonder if the orthodontist can achieve good results because they have been reviewed and received certification according to the high standards of the best in the industry. By being board-certified, your orthodontist has shown:
Proven expertise. Your orthodontist has been tested and proven successful at handling a wide range of malocclusions. Your orthodontist has submitted proven casework that ranges from mild adjustments to the most severe and complex, and has been proven adept in treating them all. This is important because you want to be sure your orthodontist can handle anything that’s thrown at them. Orthodontic treatment is about so much more than just pretty smiles – it’s about ensuring healthy bites, proper jaw alignment, and facial balance.
Commitment to excellence. Board certification must be renewed every 10 years to stay active, so maintaining board certification proves that an orthodontist is committed to staying at the forefront of their industry. To maintain certification, the re-certification process requires:
Completion of continuing education courses
Submission of new patient cases.
Demonstration of knowledge and skills that are current with the latest technological advancement.
Peace of mind. When you seek treatment from a board-certified orthodontist, you can rest easily knowing you are in the hands of someone who has been found to provide expert care with proven results.Orthodontic treatment is an investment of time and money, and this will help ensure you are in the best hands possible for your investment.
At Chelian Orthodontics, we’re led by Dr. Chelian, a board-certified orthodontist who is committed to excellence in his field. Our patients know they are in the hands of someone who is highly trained and who can provide the personalized, dedicated care they deserve.
Discover what treatment from a board-certified orthodontist can do for your smile by calling 603-882-6100 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
