Dr. Sakowitz has a long and impressive history in Central Florida. Throughout his professional career, he has been an active member of the community, participating in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Dr. Sakowitz graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida and was accepted to the renowned orthodontics program at The University of Michigan where he completed his Master’s research in Virtual Reality and Orthodontics which was published in Virtual Reality Journal. He then proceeded to continue his training and become Board Certified placing him at the forefront of his profession.
We recently sat down with Dr. Sakowitz to learn more about his motivation, training and goals for his patients. Here’s what he had to say.
What does Board Certification entail?
Board Certification is the highest level of Certification that can be awarded to an Orthodontist and is given only to those orthodontists who have had the training and testing to be awarded this elite status. A rigorous review process by a team of specially selected orthodontic examiners ensures that only those who perform the highest quality of work are selected. Patient case demonstrations as well as written and oral examinations must all be completed with proficiency sufficient to meet the strict criteria of the Board. Only one third of orthodontists ultimately meet this test.
Why did you decide to become Board Certified?
As a parent, I want to make sure my children have great teachers and are seen by qualified doctors. I wouldn't expect anything less from my patients and their parents. There are many great orthodontists out there, but how do you differentiate between them? Most people wouldn't know the difference between one educational program or another, but most people would know whether or not their doctor is Board Certified. I wanted to make sure my patients are confident in knowing that I am qualified to provide their treatment and help transform their smiles. I've always strived to do the best at anything I work on, and that includes my patient care!
Can you tell us about the cutting edge technology that differentiates your practice?
My favorite piece of technology is our iTero tooth scanner. When I had braces as a teenager, I remember the messy molds that tasted awful - that was my least favorite part about braces! I wanted to make sure that no one else ever had to go through those messy molds at Sakowitz Smiles. All of our retainers and appliances are made with 3D printed tooth models, thus increasing the accuracy and improving the fit.
In addition to traditional braces, what other services do you offer?
We also offer Invisalign and clear braces. Invisalign is clear, plastic, removable trays that can align teeth. It is an appropriate treatment for adults and responsible teenagers. Clear braces are a more cosmetic option than traditional metal braces. The wires are still metal, but the braces blend right into the teeth and are difficult to see. It almost looks like you don't have anything in your mouth.
What else would you like for our HW community to know about you?
One of my claims to fame was being on The Wheel of Fortune in college. As you could guess, I really love puzzles. In fact, I am the creator of Orlando's first escape room - The Great Escape Room! The reason I went into Orthodontics is because I see every mouth and smile as a puzzle. Getting the ideal result requires placing each piece of the puzzle in the right spot.