Orthodontics is very much an art as well as a science. The styles of treatment varying from one orthodontist to another can be very confusing. Oftentimes there is no 'right' answer because a successful orthodontic outcome depends on the skill of a practitioner utilizing a particular method tailored to an individual patient 's needs. I 'll try to break this down into what I consider are the 3 major areas to consider when deciding on an orthodontist and an orthodontic treatment plan: Art, Experience and Science.

Smiles are not one size fits all. David Letterman's smile looks good on him but Beyonce or Julia Roberts have smiles that light up the screen in a different way. The best smile must take into account what nature gives us. As an orthodontist I have to consider aging, gender, ethnicity, bone structure, and even how much the upper lip curls during a hearty laugh. Orthodontics must be personalized. Excellent orthodontic diagnostic records and listening to the patient are key elements of excellent treatment.

I have over 30 years of experience as a dentist. After dental school I attended an intensive one-year hospital General Practice Residency to gain a depth of experience in all areas of dentistry including pediatrics, special needs patients and operating room work. I then practiced as a general dentist with an emphasis in surgery for 10 years. My orthodontic residency at Ohio State was a 3-year Masters level program. Orthodontics is my specialty. If considering orthodontics by a general dentist, please realize that orthodontics will be one skill amongst many and will have been learned at a weekend seminar. Treating craniofacial patients collaboratively as part of the Childrens Hospital Colorado staff greatly expands my contacts in the medical community and sharpens my skills. Achieving certification by the American Board of Orthodontics is something that only about 1/3 of orthodontists achieve and is available only to dentists who have completed an ADA approved residency program.

Which brings us to the last topic: the scientific basis of orthodontics. I rely heavily on art and experience but I consider the bedrock of my orthodontic practice to be what is called evidence based care. All healthcare exhibits some level of uncertainty but if I rely on what the best and brightest tell us in the scientific literature then we should be one step ahead toward a great outcome.

Most people associate orthodontics with crooked teeth. However, a disharmony between the sizes of the jaws is a common problem. If the lower jaw is too short for the upper jaw, then the top teeth stick out; if the lower jaw is too large, then an underbite results. A great goal of the orthodontic profession is to influence these undesirable growth patterns in a favorable way. There is a narrow window of opportunity when growth modification is most achievable which is why early orthodontic evaluation is important to plan treatment.

It is normal for children to go through an 'ugly duckling' stage as they lose baby teeth and gain permanent teeth. If I recommend early treatment, I want the parents to be confident that the decision is based on achievable objectives and is not a convenience or economics issue.

Extractions: This is another area of strong opinions and controversy. I will make every effort to avoid the extraction of permanent teeth. However, extractions are often the right thing to do depending on objectives. The avoidance of extraction of teeth at all costs is often inappropriately labeled 'conservative treatment'. In fact, the extraction of teeth may be the most conservative treatment if your goals include protecting the gum tissue from recession, a stable end result and teeth that don 't stick out past the lips. The Ortho News & Articles page covers this topic more in depth.