Our Orthodontic Specialist in Parma, OH, Takes a Different Approach

There are some fundamentals to our approach of orthodontic care that you should know about and compare these to your orthodontic specialist in Parma, OH. These fundamentals make us uniquely positioned in the orthodontic marketplace and form the framework for delivering a superior product and service.

Informed Orthodontic Consumerism

It may surprise you to learn that there are enormous differences in orthodontic results and that "straight teeth" are just the tip of the iceberg. Where "straight teeth" are positioned within the jaws impacts facial balance, the functionality of the bite, and the long-term stability of results.

The problem is that many orthodontists develop a treatment philosophy and modality along a single and narrow line and then force the entire wide range of patient conditions into this modality. So, you may select an orthodontist based on certain criteria and not realize you are inadvertently selecting a treatment modality for which you have no understanding or intention of selecting. That's why it's crucial to invest in early childhood treatment to make the most beneficial decisions for cosmetic teeth shaping.

By "informed orthodontic consumerism," we mean that the patients (or parents) are informed about the issues and options so that they make treatment choices for themselves rather than having the doctor make them. Of course, the doctor will deliver advice and make recommendations, but only after you have the necessary information to process his advice for you or your child's best interest.

We do this in a way that is thorough but not overwhelming, complete but understandable, and without bias or coercion. This requires a commitment to the patient that Dr. Gift and his staff bring to the office every day. An experienced dentist can make a world of difference for your future orthodontic plans.

Customized and Personalized Care

It may surprise you to know that many orthodontic offices are "factory assembly lines" where they see so many patients that the doctor can only spend a few minutes with a patient. The actual treatment is provided by non-doctor assistants. And the patients have little or almost no access to the doctor. In these offices, personalization is provided by game rooms, gadgets, and a revolving army of newly trained employees. Early childhood treatment and older patient experience are vital to our staff.

In our office, the opposite rules:

• Dr. Gift sees every patient every visit and delivers the majority and all of the crucial care himself.
  
  
• The staff comprises long-time employees with up to 25 years of experience where a working environment allows them to deliver genuine and caring attention to your every visit or call.
  
  
• Your treatment is customized to your needs and wishes on all levels. Very young patients, older patients, fearful patients, special needs patients, and each individual require care that is unique to their needs but can only happen where enough time and attention is provided.

No matter how many technological advances are made, there will always remain an artistic element to orthodontic care. Being an experienced dentist is essential, but the "art" of orthodontics can only be accomplished with sufficient interaction between the patient (parents) and the doctor and where the office policies are designed for success.

Clinical/Technical Expertise

Many technological advances in materials and appliances have made orthodontic treatment more comfortable, more attractive, less expensive, and less time-consuming in recent years. These include different options in teeth-straightening, from neutral metal to colorful to clear braces. Also, advances in computer technology have made the process more fun and more efficient. Unfortunately, these advances have not necessarily translated into clinical result advancements for the patient.

The opposite has occurred because all too often, as a result of these changes, the clinician's attention is directed toward the business side of the "practice of orthodontics" rather than the clinical side. And with the higher volume of patients to handle, the treatment is increasingly delegated to the auxiliary personnel while the doctor "manages" the operation. And for all of this to happen, the delivery of the appliance systems has to be simplified and automated so that less trained staff can handle it. All too often, the result is a "size 8 shoe" for everyone.

Our office is different. The emphasis is on the clinical side of the equation. We devote enough time and planning to provide truly personalized and customized care of the highest quality available. The results are what matter to us and the long-term satisfaction of the patient and parents. At our practice, we do more than fix teeth.

Come and see the difference.

Early Childhood Treatment

When your child is growing, it's easy to forget that their growth doesn't just lie in their legs and arms, but their jawbones and facial structure as well. Early childhood treatment to keep track of this growth helps us plan and prepare for any future orthodontic procedures. We can look at how the adult teeth are growing and whether they will need any major or minor course of action.

You must take care that your child sees an experienced dentist who can give you insight into how the adult teeth will progress in their growth. Sometimes teeth can grow slower than average, or sometimes the jaw of a child might be challenging to do future orthodontic work. All of these analyses can be done by going to the dentist and getting an x-ray done. If your child still has many baby teeth, you'll see the adult teeth beneath them in the x-ray.

Getting early childhood treatment will significantly benefit the oral health of your child. We want you to know that they will be in good hands and always tended to by passionate experts in the field. Contact us today to make an appointment. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, too.