Meet Your New Haven Orthodontist

Hamden Orthodontics

Dr. Shamik Desai was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, and soon after moved to Farmington, CT with his family. Dr. Desai attended Villanova University, which is outside of Philadelphia, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 2008. After that, Dr. Desai spent four years at Harvard School of Dental Medicine where he earned his dental degree in 2012. Finally, Dr. Desai continued his education at Columbia University in Manhattan where Dr. Desai completed a three-year orthodontic residency program in 2015.

Why an Orthodontist in New Haven?

Orthodontist vs. Dentist

An orthodontist is a dentist, but a dentist is not an Orthodontist. All orthodontists are dentists first, but though not every dentist has the qualifications to be an orthodontist. Our doctor continued his formal education for 2 or 3 additional years before receiving the necessary license and certification. As an orthodontist, he's spent years studying nothing but how and why to move teeth. This includes what to do, how to plan, and how to execute the appropriate treatment plan.

Why does it matter if you see your New Haven Orthodontist?

Specialists receive additional training to give them the skills needed to deal with more complex orthodontic problems. Dentists receive basic orthodontic training which allows them to perform root canals, extract wisdom teeth, and treat young children who do not need to see an orthodontist yet.

Seeing a specialist like your New Haven orthodontist may change your experience in braces by:

  • Providing additional treatment options.
  • Giving you more efficient treatment and visits, because it is the office's primary area of care.
  • Knowing that you'll receive the best possible outcome on your treatment plan, especially if you have severe bite problems that need to be addressed.
  • Personal experience treating multiple cases that share your unique concerns
  • Being seen more quickly, as a family dentist will be focused on longer patient cases or emergencies throughout the day.
  • You may think it's easier to have your orthodontic work completed by your dentist. Convenience shouldn't be a concern, because you will only be stopping by your New Haven orthodontist's offices every six to eight weeks.

And don't let price be a problem either! Elm Tree Orthodontics is proud to provide affordable treatment in the New Haven area.