Calera Orthodontics wants to help create meaningful and lasting relationships with their patients, while also giving them confidence through a beautiful smile.
“We have a heart for our community and our patients,” said Dr. Brittany Reid, owner of Calera Orthodontics. “Providing excellent patient care helps us build relationships with all sorts of people in all seasons of life. We strive to be servant-leaders, and I pray that we continue to meet our calling to have a positive impact on everyone we encounter.”
Reid has been practicing dentistry for 11 years and became the owner orthodontist of Calera Orthodontics seven years ago. Her mission for the practice includes providing excellent customer service, building relationships with patients through communication and education, delivering excellent treatment outcomes, and having an impact on the community that extends beyond just straightening teeth.
“Our team is phenomenal when it comes to customer service and patient care,” Reid said. “Our team is made up of a very talented and caring group of women who are incredibly skilled at building rapport with patients of all ages and backgrounds. We spend a lot of time with our patients and their families over the course of treatment, so it gives us a unique opportunity to learn about their favorite extracurricular activities, hobbies, and exciting life events.”
Ultimately, it is the common goal of listening to everyone’s specific needs that Calera Orthodontics works hard to do. “Communication between all invested parties is critical to treatment success,” Reid said. “I want to make sure that my goals for treatment line up with the patient’s needs and concerns. I also want patients to take ownership in the treatment process so they will be proud of their teeth when treatment is completed.” Reid said parents are invited back to the clinic for each appointment so everyone can stay on the same page throughout the treatment.
When patients come to the dentist for a visit, Reid admits that some can love coming to appointments, while others struggle with dental anxiety. “I have three young children, and my goal is to treat other people’s children like my own. I realize that everyone has different needs and ways they communicate, especially in seemingly anxious situations. We use several techniques to be proactive in getting ahead of these fears,” Reid said. And if some tricks don’t help to put a patient at ease, Reid said ice cream usually helps.
“We offer ice cream to our patients at the end of long appointments,” Reid said. “I strive to make our work environment fun and energetic, but also acknowledge that ice cream can be our most powerful tool in helping patients overcome fears.”
Although Dr. Reid strives to create a fun and energetic environment for her team and patients, she upholds the standard of excellence demanded of the specialty. Dr. Reid also holds board-certification status through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), a voluntary achievement that demonstrates her commitment to lifelong learning and excellent care.
Digital technology is quickly becoming the standard of care in the field of orthodontics, making procedures quicker and more comfortable for patients. Digital radiography is an invaluable tool and provides the necessary detail for Dr. Reid to thoroughly evaluate a patient’s teeth and jaws to establish an ideal treatment plan. “Along the same lines, use of a digital intraoral scanner has eliminated the need for traditional impressions,” Reid said. “I remember dreading the day my own braces would be coming off because I disliked those goopy impressions so much. Now, we take advantage of intraoral scanning to capture detailed images of a patient’s teeth, then 3D-print to models to be used for fabrication of retainers or other appliances. Intraoral scans have also become a vital feature to help us better communicate with our patients. We can scan a patient’s teeth and create virtual models in around 15 minutes. I can then use the virtual models and predicted outcome to educate the patient on the current condition of their alignment and bite compared to an outcome with improved esthetics and bite function. This feature has been a tremendous asset in helping patients make more informed decisions about their treatment.
Another fascinating advancement in orthodontics is that plastic can effectively move teeth, according to Dr. Reid.
“We are treating cases of varying complexity with clear, removable, aligners, and are having excellent results,” Dr. Reid said. “Aligners can even move teeth quicker than braces in some instances.”
One thing remains clear: Calera Orthodontics wants to strive to be the best for their community while also providing quality dental care for their patients.
