Referral to other clinicians

In most cases, treatment decisions can be made directly within our orthodontic office. There will generally also be direct liaison with the patient's general dentist. The dentist may be asked their opinion regarding gum health or restorative prognosis for particular teeth. They may be asked at times to help by extracting certain teeth, working with patients to improve oral hygiene or to provide planned restorative treatment to build-up or replace excessively small or missing teeth. In all cases, Michael Woods will write a specific request to the dentist for such work to be done.

In some cases, it will be necessary to seek the opinion of, or to work directly with, other specialist dentists or doctors. Most often, this would involve oral and maxillofacial surgeons for the uncovering of blocked, impacted teeth, the surgical removal of wisdom teeth or combined orthodontic and orthognathic (jaw) surgery treatment. In other cases, adults especially may be referred to a specialist periodontist to assess and manage gum conditions before and during active treatment. Specialist prosthodontists may be involved in the provision of crowns, veneers, bridges and implants. Our office will send formal referral letters and copies of our records, as appropriate. More and more, this transfer of records is being managed by email.

In no case, will the patient or family be left to guess the timing of these adjunctive procedures. Appointments for examination, or for work to be carried out, by these other clinicians should only be arranged after the direct request from our orthodontic office has been made.