Dr. Benjamin Wright is a board-certified orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, practicing in Severna Park since 2002. Board certification is voluntary, earned by examination after orthodontic residency, and it is the clearest public marker of a specialist’s commitment. You can verify it yourself in about a minute.
Everyone tells you to do your research before choosing an orthodontist. Nobody tells you what to actually look at. Reviews all say the office is friendly. Every website says the team is caring. Below is what we would tell a friend to check. Some of it you can verify yourself, without taking anyone’s word for it.
What Board Certification Actually Means?
Any licensed dentist in Maryland can put brackets on teeth. Only a dentist who has completed an accredited residency is an orthodontist. Only some orthodontists go on to become board certified.
Dr. Wright completed his orthodontic residency with the Air Force Medical Service at Wilford Hall, an ADA-accredited program. Dr. Wright then sat for board certification and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2003. The ABO is the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association and sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Certification is not a certificate you hang once. Diplomates recertify. Dr. Wright’s current certification runs through 2028. He underwent that rigorous testing in 2003 because he believes in striving for excellence in this field. He has kept it current for the same reason.
Here is the part most practices do not tell you. The ABO publishes a free Orthodontist Locator on its own website. Search any orthodontist’s name and state, and you will see whether they hold an active certification. If a practice’s website does not mention board certification, the locator will usually tell you why.
One Doctor, Every Visit
This is a solo specialty practice. Dr. Wright sits down with you at every appointment, so nobody is reading a chart to find out what happened last time. The plan does not change because a different doctor is in the office on Thursdays. His wife Melissa works alongside him as our treatment coordinator, and much of our team has been here for years. To us you are more than a patient, you are family, and we want to offer you the care we would want for our own siblings, parents, and children.Technology That Earns Its Place
We take full advantage of new technology, once we are satisfied it performs to our standards. That means digital scanning with iTero instead of impression putty. It means 3D imaging for diagnosis. It also means self-ligating braces, which use a small clip rather than elastic ties, and usually require fewer adjustment visits. What we do not do is buy an appliance because it markets well and then find patients to use it on.Your Time Is Part of the Treatment
Orthodontic treatment means returning every few weeks for a year or more. We schedule appointments accurately and work efficiently, so we are ready for you when you arrive. Broken brackets and other emergencies get seen promptly. We also put the money conversation first. Consultations are complimentary, payment plans are no-interest and arranged in house from $125 a month, and you will have your fee in writing before treatment starts.Recognized by the People Who Live Here
Wright Orthodontics was voted Severna Park Voice Best Orthodontic Practice 15 years running, from 2011 through 2025. We were a finalist again in 2026. That award is voted by readers of this town’s own newspaper. It is not a badge bought from a directory, which is exactly why it means something to us.Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an Orthodontist
How can you tell if an orthodontist is good?
Check four things. First, confirm they are a specialist who completed an orthodontic residency, not a general dentist offering braces. Second, look up their certification in the American Board of Orthodontics locator. Third, ask how many cases like yours they have finished. Fourth, notice whether you got the cost and the timeline in writing before anyone asked you to commit.
How do I check whether an orthodontist is board certified?
Use the free Orthodontist Locator at the American Board of Orthodontics website. Search by name and state. An active Diplomate returns a card with the practice address, the original certification date, and the current expiry. Dr. Benjamin Wright’s card returns at our Severna Park address with an active certification.
Is it better to get braces from a dentist or an orthodontist?
An orthodontist has completed two to three additional years of accredited residency devoted to tooth movement and jaw growth, which a general dentist has not. For a simple case a general dentist may do fine. For anything involving bite correction, growing children, or a case that has already been treated once, the specialist training is what you are paying for.
How do I pick between two good orthodontists?
Have a consultation at both. They are usually complimentary, including ours. Compare whether the diagnosis and the proposed appliance match, ask each one why they chose that approach, and notice who explains the trade-offs rather than only the benefits. If two plans differ a lot, that difference is worth a direct question.
See for Yourself
Call 410-544-0072 or request an appointment online for a complimentary consultation. Come with questions. Wright Orthodontics is at 479 Jumpers Hole Road, Suite #203, Severna Park, MD 21146.