Meet Dr. Murphy

Dr. Chris Murphy was born and raised in the Phoenix area, where he attended Brophy College Preparatory. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical specialization, graduating Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University. Dr. Murphy then earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with Honors at the University of the Pacific Dental School and his Master’s degree in Orthodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Dr. Murphy is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and has been voted by his peers as one of Phoenix’s Top Orthodontists in Phoenix Magazine. Published in The Angle Orthodontist, Dr. Murphy’s article is required reading for any orthodontist seeking Board certification. Dr. Murphy has received additional training to achieve the title of Recognized Specialist at the Kois Center. He is a member of several professional organizations including:

Kois Recognized Specialist – Kois Center
The American Association of Orthodontists
The American Board of Orthodontics – Board Certified
The American Dental Association
The Arizona Dental Association
The Arizona Orthodontic Study Group
The Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists

In his spare time, Dr. Murphy values being with his family and friends, as well as serving the community. His hobbies include various snow and water sports, golf, auto racing, and spectator sports.

What is an Orthodontist?
Why Choose a Board-Certified Orthodontist?
How to Select the Best Orthodontist for You or Your Child

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, correction, and prevention of irregularities affecting jaw and teeth alignment. It’s important to understand the basic differences between a licensed orthodontist and a dentist. While many family dentists and cosmetic dentists offer orthodontic treatment options, this does not necessarily mean that they are licensed orthodontic specialists. An orthodontist is a dentist who has pursued additional training and education in the field of orthodontics, often within a certified orthodontic residency program. This extra training provides a specialty focus on the improvement of teeth and jaw alignment. Dr. Chris Murphy is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and is also a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. These are two indications that an orthodontist meets strict criteria and have proven experience in the specialty field of orthodontics. Licensed orthodontists are specialists who often focus their entire practice on treatments designed to help patients address orthodontic problems such as teeth misalignment, bite issues, and jaw concerns.

While many areas in the U.S. have laws designed to prevent patients from being mislead by dentists claiming to be “specialists” in certain areas if they have not fulfilled the necessary education requirements, it doesn’t guarantee that some individuals won’t still claim proficiency with orthodontics. This makes it very important that patients looking for an experienced orthodontic specialist understand the differences between a dentist and an orthodontist.

Why Choose a Board-Certified Orthodontist?

Certification by the American Board of Orthodontics is a strong indication that the doctor you are considering has an extensive amount of training and experience in the specialty field of orthodontics, as well as a commitment to high-quality care. To become certified by the ABO, the orthodontist is required to undergo rigorous testing and make individual case presentations in front of a select panel of orthodontists for review. Board-certified orthodontists such as Dr. Murphy must also renew their certification every 10 years to ensure they have maintained their commitment to providing the best standards of care for patients who need orthodontic treatment.

How to Select the Best Orthodontist for You or Your Child

If you are considering orthodontic treatment for you or your child, there are some important criteria to look for as you search for a qualified orthodontist. Remember, you do not need a referral from a dentist in order to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. In fact, many of our patients have their first appointment without being referred from another practice.

Here are a few tips on how you can find the best orthodontist for your needs:

Review the Orthodontist’s Background, Experience, and Credentials

It is important to familiarize yourself with your prospective orthodontist’s professional history in order to determine their experience with orthodontic procedures. You can often find doctor biographies on the practice’s website. Educational history, the number of years in practice, board-certification, memberships and affiliations, and awards/recognitions can often provide an informative overview of the orthodontist’s level of skill and experience. As you research orthodontists in your area, it’s a good idea to look for a recognized specialist that has studied from an American Dental Association-approved curriculum.

Review Treatment Options Available at the Practice

Take a look at the options available from the orthodontist you are considering. The field of orthodontics has advanced greatly over the years, and new techniques have made many treatments simpler, more comfortable, and even more discreet. With options such as traditional metal braces, as well as Invisalign®, clear braces, lingual braces, and others, patients can have a broad selection of choices if they know where to look.

Read Patient Reviews and Testimonials

By reading what other patients at the practice have to say about their experience, you can typically get a general idea of the orthodontist’s overall approach to care and what you might expect. Patient testimonials and reviews of the orthodontist are often readily available on the practice’s website or facebook page, as well as third-party review sites.

Take a Look at Before-and-After Photos

An orthodontic treatment photo gallery featuring the doctor’s own patients allows you to see the results of their abilities. Before-and-after galleries may also include images of patients who have undergone the very treatment you are considering, which can be helpful in terms of visualizing the potential outcome for your own procedure.

Be Sure the Location of the Practice is Convenient

Orthodontic treatments often require ongoing care and follow-up appointments for some time after the initial procedure. This makes it important for the practice to be in a location that is convenient for you. Since orthodontic treatment frequently involves a long-term commitment, it’s better to have some assurance that your orthodontist will likely still be in the area for some time to come. This can help you avoid having to find another orthodontist to finish the treatment and other issues that may affect the outcome. It’s a good idea to ask the doctor if they intend on remaining in the same place for the foreseeable future.

Meet with the Orthodontist and Evaluate Your Rapport

Last, but certainly not least: Schedule a consultation with the orthodontist you are considering to talk with them about your needs and goals. At this meeting, you can determine whether you feel comfortable with the doctor’s communication style and confident in their abilities. A good orthodontist should be honest and thorough, answering all of your questions and detailing all aspects of the treatment options that may be ideal for you. You should never feel like you are being rushed through the process. Remember, you and your orthodontist are about to embark on what is likely to be a long-term treatment process, so it’s important to evaluate your rapport at the outset.

A good orthodontist will also be forthcoming about whether treatment is even in the best interests of the patient at the present time. In some cases, children are not quite ready for orthodontic treatment. If it is better to wait on orthodontic treatment until your child’s development has continued further, Dr. Murphy will recommend that treatment be postponed so that the best possible results can be achieved.

Dr Murphy’s efforts to get both of our daughter’s teeth straightened are impressive. It has been a long journey, and he has been patient with us (our daughters) through the whole process. Dr Murphy is a very skilled orthodontist, and is considered a part of our family.

Michael John

November 06, 2018

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Dr. Murphy prides himself on offering patients the best possible treatment experience and attentive, compassionate care. If you have questions about his background and credentials, or if you would like to schedule an in-person consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact Murphy Orthodontics today.