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What is an
Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a specialist whose practice focuses on guiding jaw and facial growth, straightening the teeth and aligning the bite.

Dr. Talley and Dr. Clark are smile-perfecting specialists.

Washington, DC orthodontists Dr. Sonia Talley and Dr. Katie Clark are dental specialists. This means that after dental school, they went on to complete additional years of training in a residency program.

They’ve spent thousands of hours learning the intricacies of treating dental and facial irregularities and years honing their craft. At Bird Smiles Orthodontics, they use this expertise to create truly custom, health-promoting smiles.

Invisalign Treatment

What type of training does an orthodontist have?

Certified specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics like Dr. Clark and Dr. Talley get their bachelor’s degree from a college or university. Next, they complete four years of dental school to earn their doctorate degree.

Then, they have to be accepted into a competitive orthodontic residency program. There, they spend two to three years receiving specialty training and gaining clinical experience in straightening the teeth and aligning the jaws.

Do I have to see an orthodontist?

You should see an orthodontist for any type of orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment can create permanent changes in your facial structure. That’s a big responsibility! But correcting misaligned teeth and guiding facial growth are what orthodontists do day in and day out. It’s the sole focus of their practice.

Beyond that, experts in modern orthodontics like Dr. Talley and Dr. Clark create custom treatment plans that account for the whole dentofacial picture, from the relationship between the bite and the airway to the position of each tooth in connection to the lips. Their goal is perfection: a smile that makes the most of each patient’s individual aesthetics, function and health.

Invisalign Services

Schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Every beautiful, confident smile we create starts with a consultation. Schedule an exam for you or your child at our boutique orthodontic practice today! We are conveniently located in Tenleytown, DC with easy access to the Tenleytown-AU metro station, bus stops and street parking.