Dr. Marius Ion
Specialist Physician – ORTHODONTICS AND DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS
About
Dr. Marius Ion is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at DENT ESTET clinics in Brașov, Sibiu, and Ploiești. He completed his residency at the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology "Emil Palade" in Târgu Mureș because, as he told us, he likes to see everything aligned and perfectly symmetrical.
He was drawn to dentistry by its aesthetic aspects, but most importantly, by his desire to create beautiful smiles himself. The most challenging part of his daily work is personalizing treatment solutions because each patient's needs and desires are different. The smiles and joy at the end of interventions are the main reasons for our doctor's happiness and what motivates him daily to continue his professional development.
He enjoys traveling with his wife and embracing the experiences that new places offer. He escapes the routine by heading to the mountains, where ATV rides test his limits. He loves sports and advocates for a healthy lifestyle. He exercises as often as possible, drawing positive energy from these activities.
Education
2022
- Course "Fixed orthodontic technique," organized by Optimutil, lecturer Dr. Andrei Mitu, march 2022
2021
- Aesthetic and minimally invasive treatments, lecturer Dr. Ștefan Adrian Petruțiu, november 2021
- Damon System - Principles for successful treatments, lecturer Dr. Claudiu Coca, june 2022
- ArMedica Congress 2022: Interdisciplinarity and digital influences in modern dental therapy
- Dental prosthetics: Perspectives and limits. Congress president: Dr. Radu Septimiu Câmpian, october 2021
Philosophy
"Orthodontics is closely related to mathematics because an orthodontist is not only concerned with teeth and their positions but with the entire facial complex (dental and skeletal), making individualized measurements for each case. Thinking ahead and planning the treatment from the moment the patient sits in the chair - this is what being a visionary orthodontist means to me.
Often, we encounter dental problems that have been postponed for years, with the attitude of 'it'll do for now.' But any untreated condition has consequences, which can lead to tooth loss, so it is 'better late than never.' It is always advisable to seek the advice of an orthodontist for treating dental anomalies."
Questions
How do you define a successful result in orthodontics?
A successful result in orthodontics is characterized by achieving stable and balanced relationships in all three dimensions of tooth movement – transverse, sagittal, and vertical – which define the orthodontic treatment and align with the functionality of the temporomandibular joint.
Treatment success cannot be achieved without a close doctor-patient relationship. This ensures timely results, and the long-term effects are observed and felt by the patients, who often experience a transformation post-orthodontic treatment. Their self-esteem and confidence significantly improve.
What should I expect from a specialist orthodontic consultation?
An orthodontic consultation begins with scanning the dental arches using an intraoral scanner, taking diagnostic photographs, and performing radiographs: OPG and cephalometric X-rays, followed by the development of a treatment plan.
In complex cases where dental anomalies also affect the temporomandibular joints, we utilize digital technology, specifically Modjaw 4D scanning, to perform a functional evaluation of mandibular movements and identify the primary factor contributing to the existing anomalies.
What is one technology in the clinic you couldn't do without?
The intraoral scanner and Modjaw 4D are indispensable in modern orthodontics. For aligners, once scanned, the information is uploaded to the aligner manufacturing company. Since the production of orthodontic aligners occurs abroad, this scanning process, compared to a traditional alginate impression of the dental arches, which would arrive very slowly and probably be unusable at the production facility, allows for digital transfer in just a few minutes. No information is lost, everything is accurately and perfectly reproduced, and the transfer is very fast.
What is the most memorable reaction you've received from a patient?
"You are the only dentist where I spent the least amount of time in the chair and felt no pain, a patient around 35 years old told me. It made me feel proud that I managed to earn their trust and that they were satisfied with how the treatment I provided went."
Which aspect of digital orthodontics excites you the most?
Digital orthodontics introduces increasingly efficient and innovative systems for straightening teeth. The introduction of orthodontic aligners such as ClearCorrect® by Straumann Group, Spark®, or Invisalign® enhances orthodontic treatment. These systems allow us to visualize the treatment progress from start to finish and help us select the ideal treatment for each individual case.
Patient comfort is significantly higher compared to fixed appliances, which often have a high retention on their surface and can cause lesions on the cheeks, especially in more sensitive patients.
What is the biggest myth about orthodontics?
A common myth is that orthodontic treatment is ineffective or useless for older adults. However, dental braces are effective at any age. While it is true that treatment progress in adults is slower due to higher bone density compared to children, the important fact is that it works and can be applied.
The long-term benefits include prolonging the life of natural teeth on the arch and preventing other dental issues that could lead to premature tooth loss. I explain to patients that the benefits of orthodontic treatments in adults far outweigh the efforts involved.
How do you collaborate with other disciplines or colleagues for complex treatment plans?
In complex cases, the treatment plan is presented at a meeting where we have a joint discussion with all disciplines to determine the optimal treatment option.
Orthodontics is often a preliminary step in more complex cases for surgical intervention. For patients with an underbite (lower teeth in front of the upper teeth), orthognathic surgery is the most optimal treatment option. This surgery will transform the patient, significantly altering their facial aesthetics and improving functionality.
The situation is reversed for patients with periodontal issues, where I need the approval and collaboration of the periodontist before starting the orthodontic phase. In these cases, movements are made slowly with light forces, and the patient is continuously monitored by the periodontist.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy traveling, sports, and a healthy lifestyle. I love riding ATVs and engaging in extreme activities that boost adrenaline production.