Importance of Working With a Board Certified Orthodontist

Leland Orthodontics prides itself on creating a welcoming environment for patients of all ages to feel comfortable. One of the ways Dr. Leland does this is by maintaining his board-certified status! If you are unsure of the importance of working with a board-certified orthodontist, don’t worry. This blog will explain what it is, how Dr. Leland became one, and what it means for your orthodontic treatment!

What does an orthodontist do?

An orthodontist is an oral healthcare professional specializing in teeth and jaw alignments. Many can also provide treatment that helps with the proper development of facial features in children.

Orthodontists attend dental school and then complete a two- to three-year orthodontic residency program.

Though some dentists offer orthodontic treatment, we strongly encourage you to consider seeing an orthodontist before making your final decision. For example, think of your dentist as your primary physician. If you need something beyond “standard” care, your physician typically refers you to a specialist, like a dermatologist or urologist. Your physician might be able to diagnose and treat your condition. Still, the specialist has received more training and would have more available equipment and resources to make the process smoother and more pleasant.

We do not say this to discourage you from seeing your dentist. If you feel your dentist can provide you with the orthodontic care you need, we encourage you to do it! Dentists are exceptional healthcare providers, and sometimes orthodontists like Dr. Leland will work with your dentist to ensure oral health during treatment. The two simply provide different services.

It is also important to note that while orthodontists attend dental school, they are not a replacement for seeing a dentist! Both oral health services provide essential care.

What is a board-certified orthodontist?

Dr. Leland is an excellent example of a board-certified orthodontist! To be a board-certified orthodontist means that under the guidance of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Leland has gone through additional training and educational programs to expand their knowledge, skill, and expertise in the field of orthodontics beyond the minimum standard expectation.

What training is required to be board-certified?

Before an orthodontist can begin the process of becoming board certified, they must complete at least eighteen (18) months of an orthodontic program.

Once they’ve completed the first eighteen (18) months of a 2-3 years-long residency program, they are eligible to take the American Board of Orthodontics’s written examination. This exam comprises 240 multiple-choice questions to adequately test an orthodontist’s proficiency in the many different areas of their field.

After passing the written test, orthodontists must then take a clinical exam to show a practical, working understanding of the knowledge they displayed in the written exam. This test has scenario-based questions.

Upon the successful completion of both of these tests, Dr. Leland became a board-certified orthodontist. For ten years, he is allowed to hold that title, and then he must renew his qualifications. During those ten years, Dr. Leland continued to further his orthodontic education through different programs, reading research papers, and more.

Board-certified orthodontists must renew their certification every ten years to ensure they remain up to par with the American Board of Orthodontics’ standards and prove they are staying up-to-date with information and practices.

How does this benefit you?

Board-certified orthodontists continually and consciously make the decision to improve their technique and methodology and expand their information. Board-certified orthodontists like Dr. Leland want to provide patients with the best possible experience with quality care and stunning results.

Dr. Leland’s dedication to his craft allows him to treat a broader range of patient needs in the Reno, Nevada, area! Armed with an ever-expanding arsenal of orthodontic comprehension, he can treat even the most complex alignment cases and give more people reasons to love their smile.

You can have confidence in your provider when you receive treatment from a board-certified orthodontist. No matter how many people in your family need orthodontic care, every family member will receive gorgeous smiles and a consistent quality experience. Even if you need retreatment or are older, you will experience the same attention, patience, and consideration we give new patients.

Visit Leland Orthodontics to experience the difference for yourself!

At Leland Orthodontics, oral healthcare is more than just a job for us. It’s a passion. It is our life’s calling. We are obsessed with orthodontics and love discussing it with you all day! Dr. Leland is so devoted to his patients and work, that he puts in more hours than most to update his practice’s technology, equipment, and methods every year.

To experience the excellent care only a board-certified orthodontist can provide, request your free consultation with Leland Orthodontics today! At your appointment, you will receive a thorough examination from Dr. Leland with the help of his team. He will then discuss your options with you and take all the time necessary to answer your questions. The assessment is commitment-free, so you can carefully weigh your options without stress or pressure.