Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws to improve one鈥檚 smile and oral health.
A dentist or physician usually recommends braces to improve a patient鈥檚 physical 鈥渙rofacial鈥� appearance. Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded teeth, an overbite or underbite, incorrect jaw position and disorders of the jaw joints are corrected. The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
A specialist in this field is called an orthodontist. Orthodontists receive two or more years of education beyond their four years in dental school in an ADA-approved orthodontic training program.
The Department of Orthodontics is involved in the three primary missions of the college: education, research, and patient care. There are two clinics in the Department where patient care is carried out: Faculty Practice and the Graduate Clinic.