Dr. Lawrence is the Orthodontist for the Cleveland Clinics Craniofacial Team, Department of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Lawrence is highly qualified and trained in the orthodontic treatment that accompanies treatment of craniofacial anomalies. Dr. Lawrence regularly treats patients from around the world and corresponds with many international orthodontists to advise them on orthodontic treatment of complex situations.Our office communicates closely with family dentists, other dental specialists and medical specialists. We work hard to create a dental health team for our patients in order to achieve optimal dental health and excellent orthodontic results. Many adult patients benefit from orthodontics prior to having dental repair work. Our commitment to our team approach with our referring dentists ensures that our adult patients receive seamless care.Dr. Lawrence is Board Certified in Orthodontics and in Orofacial Pain. Dr. Lawrence is one of only two orthodontists in the country to hold this dual board certification. This uniquely qualifies him to deliver orthodontic care for adult patients, and especially for adults who are experiencing jaw dysfunction. Board certification in orthodontics is voluntary and requires advanced education, written tests, an oral examination, and a presentation of the doctors treatment results on numerous types of orthodontic problems to a panel of nationally respected peers.Dr. Lawrence has annually been named a Top Orthodontist Northeast Ohio. He has been selected by his dental colleagues every year since 2003 the first year it was published in Northern Ohio Live Magazine now published in Cleveland Magazine. He is the only orthodontist in Lake County to hold this distinction. It is a privilege to be chosen by our neighboring family dentists as a Top Orthodontist even once. To be chosen every year since 2003 is a real honor, and we truly appreciate the recognition!Dr. Lawrences position at Case School of Dental Medicine also gives him the unique opportunity to evaluate all the various orthodontic manufacturers products in the academic setting, and select only the very best ones for his private office.Dr. Lawrence received his B.A. and D.D.S. degrees from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his orthodontics residency at Loyola University of Chicago and completed a residency in Clinical Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Related Orofacial Pain from the world-renowned Orofacial Pain Center of the University of Kentucky.Dr. Lawrence is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He is one of only two orthodontists in the country to hold this dual board certification.Since 1999, Dr. Lawrence has been actively involved in orthodontic education as a Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Lawrence is also the director of the Orofacial Pain Clinic in the Orthodontic Department, and has been awarded the Professor of the Year.In 2010, Dr. Lawrence was named Consultant to the Division of Plastic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a member of the Clinics Craniofacial Team which evaluates and treats children and adolescents born with facial and jaw irregularities, most notably cleft lip and palate.In 2011, Dr. Lawrence introduced his invention, the OralEnlight. This device will help orthodontists provide better care to their patients, improving the orthodontic experience for patients, parents, and providers.Formerly, Dr. Lawrence was the Orthodontist for Craniofacial Anomaly Clinic of the Lake County Health District, which served Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties until the clinic was discontinued in favor of the large hospital craniofacial teams.Dr. Lawrences philosophy is to employ techniques that minimize the possibility of permanent tooth removal. These techniques must also maximize aesthetics of the smile and face, and function of the teeth and jaws. He is adamant that if he would not use a particular appliance or apparatus on his wife or children, he will not use it for his patients. Dr. Lawrence uses this same criteria in evaluating all treatment techniques, including orthodontic and TMD treatment.
No. All orthodontists must be licensed to practice, but at this time only 1 in 3 orthodontists have continued on to become a board certified orthodontist. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification process signifies a unique achievementa significant step beyond the two to three years of advanced education required for a dentist to become a specialist in orthodontics. The process requires the orthodontist to demonstrate actual accomplishments in patient care with detailed case reports on the treatment provided for a broad range of patient problems. Board certification is a voluntary achievement that all orthodontists do not choose to pursue. In order to become board certified by the ABO, an individual orthodontist is thoroughly interviewed by a highly respected panel of examiners to demonstrate their orthodontic knowledge, clinical skills and judgment.
One. The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) is the only certifying board in the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association. The ABO was founded in 1929 and is the oldest specialty board in dentistry. The boards purpose is to elevate the quality of orthodontic care for the public by promoting excellence through certification, education and professional collaboration.
Successful completion of the examination process demonstrates the orthodontists highest commitment to excellence in orthodontics to both the orthodontic profession and the general public. It represents a commitment by a licensed specialist that he/she has the necessary knowledge base and skills to treat patients to the highest of standards. It exemplifies a practitioners commitment to continue to keep abreast of the latest advances in patient care, and to continue to deliver these latest advances to patients. Many orthodontists see it as a demonstration of their dedication to the specialty and the highest level of personal achievement.
Since the establishment of the ABO in 1929, the certification process requirements have continued to adjust to the demands of the specialty. Today, the process involves a thorough Written Examination (240 questions) covering all areas of information which an orthodontist should be knowledgeable. Successful completion of this board exam allows the orthodontist to proceed to the Clinical Examination where they present detailed case reports from their practice/residency, demonstrating a history of excellence in patient care. These cases are evaluated by a panel of examiners and later discussed during an oral examination where the applicant is tested on a wide variety of academic and clinical topics. After successful completion of these examinations, the orthodontist has officially achieved Board Certification, for a time-limited period. The orthodontist must go through Certification Renewal every 10 years to maintain their certification status by demonstrating this continued level of patient care.
