Dr. Michael Tilghman, D.D.S., M.S.

Orthodontics

“Our reward is beautiful smiles. Our best advertisements are beaming young faces now filled with confidence,” says Dr. Michael Tilghman. With two offices– one in Salisbury and the other in Berlin – Dr. Tilghman delivers results that his own patients and their parents say are nothing short of “transformations.”

“Orthodontia is about much more than aesthetics. While there are obvious cosmetic benefits to orthodontic treatment, the true benefits are much deeper than a nice smile,” says Dr. Tilghman. “These benefits include increased self-confidence, which can make a world of difference in a person's life ... especially a young person's.”

However, the commitment to his patients is really life-long. While typical orthodontia treatment can last two years, patients drop by to check up on their smile for years—even into adulthood. The commitment was also seen when he built his new offices. Dr. Tilghman set out to make them as comforting—and comfortable—as possible for his patients. Every design touch speaks to the special relationship the doctor and his staff have with the families who come to the practice. “When we set out to create these new spaces, we were really looking to do something genuinely different, something unique,” says Dr. Tilghman. “Our patients put their trust and hopes in us and creating something special for them was a way to acknowledge that and to show our gratitude.”

“Our reward is beautiful smiles.”

Walking into the office immediately takes away any anxiety, with warm wood floors, exposed wood beams and cozy lounge-style seating. “This shouldn’t feel,” he says, “like a white-coat antiseptic place. If you have to come to a practice for a couple of years on a regular basis, you should feel welcomed.” Thoughtful amenities such as Wi-Fi, flatscreen television and a cappuccino machine let busy parents catch up on work while waiting, or even just relax for a few minutes in the hectic bustle every parent knows about—the “mom and dad taxi service.”

Of course, there's more to feeling at home than comfortable chairs and Wi-Fi. Dr. Tilghman's patients feel at ease, in part, from this cozy environment, but mostly from the confidence they have in their doctor and his seasoned staff of professionals. “We have a wonderful new building, but our greatest asset is our staff,” says Dr. Tilghman. “We have great tenure. In fact, one of our staff members has been with us for thirty years.” Dr. Tilghman received his dental school training at the University of Maryland, then completed three years of training dedicated specifically to the field of orthodontics. He is certified by the American Board of Orthodontists and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. In addition to a skilled and compassionate staff, Dr. Tilghman's offices offer the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, including digital X-ray, which exposes patients to 90 percent less radiation than a traditional X-ray machine.

But in the end, the proof is in the letters and cards he receives from families who have gone through the entire orthodontic process and are delighted with the results. “Sometimes,” he recounts, “a college student will come in many years after treatment to check on his or her smile. When they walk in and the entire staff knows them by their first name on sight, that’s really a testament to the kind of practice we are. It speaks to the heart of the philosophy of patient care that we embrace here.”

Dr. Michael Tilghman, D.D.S., M.S.
1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 104
Salisbury, MD 21804
410.742.4813

9956 North Main Street Unit 1
Berlin, MD 21811
410.629.1989

Toll Free: 800.433.8863

Pictured: Dr. Michael Tilghman and staff
Photography: Kyle Hughes