Being an orthodontist is incredibly rewarding for me. Ive lived in and served this community for over two decades and have created beautiful smiles for families that I see in and around town. My goal has always been to pair a patient centric and caring approach with the most current and effective orthodontic treatment options. I want you to love your smile!
Dr. Garrick Wong is an orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic specialist with over 25 years of experience building beautiful smiles for his patients. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University School of Dentistry, Dr. Wong went on to complete a postdoctoral program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In addition to his orthodontic private practice in Greenwich, Dr. Wong has taught as a clinical instructor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicines Undergraduate Program and was an associate professor at New York University College of Dentistrys Graduate Orthodontic Program.
A strong believer in continuing education, Dr. Wong keeps up with the latest orthodontic methods and technologies and is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontics, and other professional organizations.
As an orthodontist, Dr. Wong specializes in correcting bites and aligning teeth for better function and appearance. Although most people think of braces when they think of orthodontics, there are a variety of methods that can be used not only to correct existing problems, but to prevent future problems from occurring.
In growing children and teens, Dr. Wong utilizes their growth potential to improve or correct predetermined growth patterns; habit devices used at an early age can eliminate harmful bad habits that cause misaligned bites.
For adults, we no longer have the opportunity to guide the jaw as it develops, so orthodontic treatment goals, methods, and outcomes are different. In complicated adult cases, an interdisciplinary treatment plan may be needed. We coordinate care with some of the best dental specialists in the area to come up with a comprehensive solution for optimal results.
Todays braces are better than ever, with lower profile brackets and advanced archwires that move teeth more quickly and comfortably. We offer both metal and ceramic brackets, along with tieless braces that eliminate the need for elastics to hold archwires in place.
With interceptive orthodontics, Dr. Wong can correct potential bite problems while growth is still occurring. This is a more effective approach to orthodontic treatment, as its easier to influence the jaw as it develops than correct problems once the jaw has fully fused. Interceptive orthodontic treatment is completed early, while patients still have both baby teeth and adult teeth. Early orthodontic treatment may include palatal expander devices (PEDs), habit appliances, and space maintainers.
Invisalign Teen lets young adults achieve beautiful smiles without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. The Invisalign Teen system combines Invisaligns clear aligner technology with some specialized features for an effective orthodontic solution just for teens.
When you get Invisalign treatment from Dr. Wong, you get the benefit of Invisaligns state-of-the-art aligner technology and the specialized knowledge of an experienced orthodontist for the best possible results. Adults appreciate the ability to straighten their teeth without drawing attention to the fact that theyre undergoing orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is discreet, comfortable, and convenientthe perfect orthodontic solution for busy lives.
Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, the next step is to maintain your beautiful new smile for a lifetime. Retainers not only help maintain results, they can also let Dr. Wong make small adjustments to your smile if needed.
Surgical orthodontics, also known as orthognathic surgery, most often involves an orthodontist and an oral surgeon. This surgery is needed when jaw irregularities cannot be corrected with traditional orthodontic devices. With surgical orthodontics, we can improve the appearance of the face and the patients ability to chew, speak, and breathe properly.
An orthodontist receives up to three additional years of comprehensive training beyond dental school to specialize in the movement of teeth and the correction of growth issues and facial irregularities. A dentist has never had any comprehensive Orthodontic training. An Orthodontist exclusively treats ONLY patients in need of orthodontic services; whereas a Dentist treats a myriad of oral issues.
Orthodontics goes far beyond braces. Interceptive orthodontics helps influence the development of the jaw as it grows, braces and Invisalign are used to correct crooked teeth and misaligned bites, and retainers maintain smiles for a lifetime. In adults where growth can no longer be manipulated to assist in treatment, orthodontists will work with general dentists and other specialists to collaborate in the more complex interdisciplinary treatment plans.
Its better to get Invisalign from an orthodontist. Orthodontists are taught the biomechanics of tooth movement, so we determine the best way to move your teeth and we are not reliant on Invisalign technicians to decide how your teeth will move. Because of their Orthodontic training, Invisalign provides separate education. Assuming Invisalign is an option, Dr. Wongs advanced training in orthodontics means that hes better equipped to develop a treatment plan using the Invisalign system.
Braces are the first step to achieving life-long straight teeth, but proper diagnosis and treatment planning are the major factors in determining long-term stability. The teeth not only need to look straight; they need to be properly positioned in the bone and they need to function properly with their neighboring teeth. Without proper function and ideal positioning in the bone, there can be no long term stability.
The second step necessary to life-long straight teeth is a retainer. Initially, they help prevent orthodontic relapse by allowing the teeth and bone to stabilize. After the teeth have stabilized, you can maintain your smile by wearing your retainer occasionally at night.
Most patients only need braces, aligners, or other orthodontic devices to correct crooked teeth and misaligned bites. In some cases, additional dental specialists need to be brought on to coordinate care and devise a treatment plan for complex reconstructive dental procedures. Dr. Wong works collaboratively with:
Typically, your General Dentist will diagnose your dental needs and if your case is very complex and requires various specialties such as orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, your dentist will assemble a team to plan your case. Dr. Wong has often been called to participate in these interdisciplinary teams. He has been trained through various continuing education programs and over a decade of Seattle Study Group sessions to interact with colleagues from the dental profession.