By Dr. Vishal Sharma of Aura Orthodontics
There is an old adage that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. It makes me laugh every time I hear it and after completing eleven years of schooling, you would think I would run the other direction when it came to anything to do with learning. However, what sets me apart from many professionals in this field is a sincere love for Orthodontics and treating patients. At Aura Orthodontics, my patients will be able to attest to this. In my opinion, Orthodontics is the greatest profession on earth and whenever I can share my knowledge, I enthusiastically give back to the community.
Orthodontics allows me to have a unique relationship with patients at a very important time in their lives. It also allows me to help them do something they have always wanted to do, while simultaneously helping patients achieve better oral health.
People always wonder and at times even ask why I chose Orthodontics as a profession. For me, the answer is simple – my personal experience from when I had my own braces. If you knew me back then, I could be categorized as reserved, shy, introverted, and even a very awkward teenager. Not to digress, for those who know me now, but – this is a far stretch of the imagination. The description of myself brings me to one of the most emotional parts of being an Orthodontist. I feel it is my role to help individuals uncover their true selves and encourage self-esteem.
The other day I was consulting with a teenage female patient and I was asking questions to determine why she wanted braces. As she pointed to her teeth that she disliked, she became introverted and put her head down. She felt comfortable say she was being teased by her schoolmates about her teeth. Words quickly turned into tears and I asked if she had shared her experiences at school with her parents. She shook her head.
Her father, who happened to be sitting next to her, was completely oblivious that his daughter was being teased at school. He himself began tearing up. Having been through a similar experience as a child with crooked teeth, I was devastated. Here was young girl with a bright future who would find it impossible to reach her true potential because she did not have the confidence to smile and hold her head up high for fear of being ridiculed.
Don’t worry, there is a positive twist to this story – the young girl now has started the process of braces. She is already starting to smile more often. As an Orthodontist, I am in the position to help people achieve the smile that they want, but more importantly the self-esteem, confidence, and the happiness that comes along with it. Each one of the four hundred plus patients that I have treated all have one thing in common – they have experienced this change within themselves.
I can list the biological benefits of straight teeth all day – but for me, the most important part of my job is being able to help people smile, laugh, and live a life with confidence – young or old.
About Dr. Vishal Sharma of Aura Orthodontics:
Dr. Vishal Sharma of Aura Orthodontics in Surrey and Abbotsford has a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. He pursued dentistry and an orthodontics specialty at New York University in New York City, where he graduated with Honours and Cum Laude of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He also is an orthodontic faculty member in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches future orthodontists (third and fourth year dental students) about new techniques, and how to use these techniques to achieve optimal results for patients. As a board-certified orthodontist, he uses his passion to develop new techniques and uses cutting-edge technology to make patients’ treatments quicker, more aesthetic, and as pain-free as possible. His expertise includes all types of braces, including Invisalign, clear braces, and lingual braces and a specialty in Dentofacial Orthopedics. Multilingual in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu – Dr. Sharma’s philosophy revolves around a total dedication to individualized patient attention and care, evident in the initial diagnosis and treatment plan formulation as well as every office visit. He is a firm believer in community involvement and takes the time for community outreach. For more information visit www.auraortho.com
