The importance of knowledge and expertise in determining an orthodontic treatment plan
- Marius Coval
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
What's the most important factor when choosing an orthodontist to treet you or your child?
Knowledge and expertise in the field of orthodontics - the most important factor in choosing a therapist, by a large margin comparing to other factors.
Orthodontics is a specialty, and orthodontic studies are conducted after completing dental studies, after candidates pass an admissions committee and various aptitude tests.
The specialization in orthodontics, whose official name in Israel is “dental and jaw alignment,” takes about 3.5 years, and it is difficult and demanding in both the clinical and academic aspects.
An intern who successfully completes the internship is required to take and successfully pass two exams of a very high level of difficulty, and at the same time write a research paper, in order to receive the specialist title for which he worked so hard.
Therefore, it is no wonder that very few dentists reach the stage where they have a specialist certificate.
Only comprehensive orthodontic studies at a recognized institution, and passing the specialization exams, guarantee the acquisition of knowledge and tools for making correct treatment decisions:
A. Which clinical case needs to be treated and which case need not?
B. When to treat and when to wait?
C. What is the correct treatment method?
D. How to deal with side effects and surprises during treatment?
What is the compromise when we decide to choose a therapist who is not an orthodontic specialist?
We will compromise on the diagnosis and early planning stage - the most important stages in treatment.
A treatment plan that takes into account biological factors and addresses the question - is the planned teeth and jaws movement actually possible?
The non specialist will rely mainly on technology and 3D imaging - when it is known today that although these imaging have improved greatly - they can create a false diagnosis and give the impression that any tooth movement is possible. The real situation is that any therapeutic imaging and animation can be produced, but when this treatment plan cannot occur biologically - the treatment simply will not succeed.
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