Kiwis are obsessed…
Orthodontics

Kiwis are obsessed…

By July 13, 2018 No Comments

“As parents, all you can do for your kids

is give them a good education

and straight teeth” -anon

Why do Kiwis love a perfect smile?

Once upon a time, braces were referred to as “train tracks” or “metal mouth”. Now more than ever, braces are popular, with children and teens frequently wanting braces! Parents are looking for their kids to see an orthodontist, and even they themselves are wanting straight teeth and that perfect smile!

So why this sudden change in culture?

The benefits of orthodontics have always been the same… orthodontic treatment aims to perfect tooth positions and align them for a beautiful smile and healthy function. Our knowledge and appreciation of health are on the rise.  Our ideals are continually being influenced by marketing, with companies often using “beautiful” people with “beautiful” smiles to sell their products. Then of course, there is Hollywood’s influence…and that Hollywood smile – indeed, there have been numerous photographs of stars in braces or aligners, from Justin Beiber to Samuel L. Jackson. We love them for their smiles and our goals as human beings are always uniformity – no one asks for crooked teeth!

A study from Invisalign in 2012, where a survey of public members was conducted, states that we are constantly being judged based on our appearance, that teeth are a standout feature and a nice smile is important. In fact, people with straight teeth were judged to be more successful, smarter and were more likely to have more relationship dates!

So what do we know about the benefits of straight teeth?

Straight teeth and a healthy smile may impact on self-image, attitude and confidence of both adults and children. This is especially important when children are developing social and psychological maturity in the teenage years.  It is very common for a person with crooked teeth to avoid smiling or to cover their mouth when smiling. This same person may very likely be less outgoing and less engaging in social situations due to the idea that other people may be judging them on their teeth.

Teeth function best when the oral hygiene is good and when they are in the correct position. There is not a great deal of scientific evidence available to say that crooked teeth are bad, however, teeth in the incorrect position can cause significant wear of teeth, gum problems and sometimes, the bite shifting which may appear as an asymmetry or as a shifting jaw to either the left or right hand side in a child. There are other claims which suggest that crooked teeth lead to poorer access to plaque-removal or to difficult chewing. However, solid proof is still lacking when looking at the scientific literature.

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Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 
Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

 

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

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Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

 

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
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