Why Choose a Board-Certified Orthodontist in Kyle
When you decide it’s time to get your car repaired, you don’t trust your vehicle to just anyone. You take it to a mechanic with credentials you can trust. The same goes for your teeth. You wouldn’t trust just anyone to straighten and align them. Only an orthodontist has the proper training and schooling to work on your teeth and give you the kind of smile you deserve. So, when you’re searching Google for, “Orthodontist near me”, “Orthodontist in Kyle”, “Orthodontist in Buda”, or even “Orthodontist in San Marcos” how can you be sure he or she is a qualified orthodontist to give you proper care and treatment? Easy. You can ask if your orthodontist is board certified because not all orthodontists in Kyle and surrounding areas are board certified.
What Does Board Certified Mean?
Board certified orthodontists have chosen to increase their level of expertise by completing additional, voluntary training to make their practice and treatment better overall. Only about 33% of orthodontists are certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). The American Board of Orthodontics is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by both the ADA (American Dental Association) and the AAO (American Association of Orthodontics). That means if an orthodontist claims they are certified by the “U.S. Board of Orthodontics and Dentists” or some other fictional specialty board, they are not being completely honest with you.
A certification from the American Board of Orthodontics is the highest level of achievement in the profession of orthodontics. At Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle, Dr. Maxwell Oldham is a board certified Kyle Orthodontist near me. He is one of the very few Kyle orthodontists and Buda orthodontists in the area that has board certification. “I wanted to become a board certified orthodontist because I wanted to be the best orthodontist I could be,” Dr. Oldham says. “It is the highest level of achievement and distinction in the profession. It also shows my patients that I am up to date on all of the latest research and treatment techniques, and have taken every step possible to provide the highest level of care to my patients.”
Board certification for all medical and dental specialties is voluntary. Neither state nor federal government entities require board certification. The orthodontists who choose to become board certified are really choosing to better both themselves and the treatment they give to their patients because they simply want to. Dr. Oldham is striving to be the best orthodontist in Kyle and the best orthodontist in Buda that he possibly can be.
Levels of Training in Dentistry and Orthodontics
So, why can’t you just go to the dentist for orthodontic treatment? There are varying levels of education and training required to become a dentist, an orthodontist, and a board-certified orthodontist. Though they both involve quite a lot of post-college education, you may not know just how much work is demanded. Here’s a list of what’s expected:
To Become a Dentist:
- Complete an undergraduate program (4 yrs)
- Graduate from dental school (4 years)
- Pass Licensing Examinations
To Become an Orthodontist:
- Complete an undergraduate program (4 yrs)
- Graduate from dental school (4 years)
- Pass Licensing Examinations
- Acceptance to CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) Accredited Orthodontic Program
- Completion of Accredited Orthodontic Residency Program (2-3 years)
To Become a Board Certified Orthodontist:
- Complete an undergraduate program (4 yrs)
- Graduate from dental school (4 years)
- Pass Licensing Examinations
- Acceptance to CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) Accredited Orthodontic Program
- Completion of Accredited Orthodontic Residency Program (2-3 years)
- Completion of ABO Written Examination
- Completion of ABO Clinical Examination
- Certification Renewal Every 10 Years
The written and clinical examinations an orthodontist must pass in order to be ABO board certified are developed by other orthodontists in the field and designed to test an orthodontist’s methods and level of expertise. When an orthodontist passes these examinations, they demonstrate their commitment to the field and their desire to become the most competent, experienced doctor for their patients.
It is important to understand that an orthodontist who is not board certified will still be able to come up with a treatment plan for your smile, but they may not utilize the latest techniques in the industry or give you the most modern, contemporary care you deserve. On the other hand, you can trust that a board certified orthodontist is keeping up to speed on the latest developments in their field and will be invested in outlining a treatment plan specific to your case.
Questions To Ask The Orthodontist Near Me in Kyle and Buda
Not sure if your orthodontist in Kyle is board certified? Here are some simple questions to ask before or during your consultation to ensure you’re getting the quality care you deserve:
- Which dental school did you graduate from and where did you complete your Orthodontic Residency Program?
- In addition to orthodontic treatment here in Kyle, do you also offer general dentistry services such as root canals, cavity fillings and extractions? (Trained orthodontists are only able to practice within their specialty and should not offer general dentistry services)
- How will you develop my treatment plan? Can you please explain that process? How long will my proposed treatment take and what happens if I choose to delay treatment?
- Will you be performing all of the orthodontic treatment (bending wires, attaching brackets, etc.) or will some of the work be completed by someone else?
- After my treatment is complete, how often will I have to come back to see you?
- Can you provide me with any patient references?
- The most important question: Are you a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and/or board certified by The American Board of Orthodontics?
If your orthodontist doesn’t want to answer these questions, or is evasive in any way, it’s time to look elsewhere for your treatment.
Why Patients Choose Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle
You deserve an orthodontist in Kyle who has both a personal and public commitment to the standards of specialty practice and wants to devote their extra time and energy to learning everything about their field. At Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle, Kyle Orthodontist Dr. Oldham is board certified to deliver beautiful, long lasting results to each and every one of his patients. When you come into our office, you’ll receive a warm welcome and outstanding care. We want you to feel like part of our family.
I took both of my kids in for a consult a couple weeks ago and could not have been happier with the whole experience. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Dr Oldham really took the time to explain the treatment plans and answered all of our questions – I totally did not feel rushed at all which was so nice! From scheduling their consults to filling out paperwork and getting a referral for oral surgery, they made the whole process so smooth. Would 100% recommend this office to anyone who is looking into getting braces for themselves or for their kids!” -Google review from Jolie A.