Dr. Susan O’Connell
BA, B.Dent.Sc TCD (Hons), MFDS RCSEd, MSc U.Birm (Research), M.Orth RCSEng
Dr O’Connell graduated from Trinity College Dublin Dental School in 2011 with an Honours degree, a B.A. and numerous awards including the Costello medal for dental research. She undertook further training at the world renowned Eastman Dental Institute and subsequently held positions at Guys Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth hospital. During this time she was awarded Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery.
She went on to secure a coveted position on a specialist orthodontic training programme in the U.K. ranking 2nd nationally during the recruitment process. She completed her specialist orthodontic training, working with leading consultants in the field and was awarded a Masters in Orthodontic Research and Membership in Orthodontics from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons England, allowing her to register as a Specialist Orthodontist.
She has a special interest in clear aligner treatment (Invisalign) and was recently awarded Diamond Provider status by Invisalign, and is one of the few specialists in Ireland to hold this status. She is also passionate about early intervention in children to avoid the need for complex orthodontic treatment. She treats children, teens and adults at the Institute of Specialist and Cosmetic Dentistry.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Dr. Erfan Salloum
BDS, PGCert(Orth), DClinDent(Orth), MsLing(Orth)
MFD RCSI, MFDS RCPSG, MOrth RCSEd, FFD(Orth) RCSI, MOrth RCSEng, FDS RCSEng, FDS RCPSG
Dr Erfan Salloum is a Specialist Orthodontist providing orthodontic treatment for children, adolescents and adults in Dublin. He has a particular interest in complex orthodontic treatment, including fixed braces, clear aligners, customised lingual braces, skeletal anchorage (TADs), maxillary expansion, orthognathic surgery and multidisciplinary care.
After graduating in dentistry in 2008, Dr Salloum completed his Doctorate in Clinical Orthodontics (DClinDent) at University College Cork and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Lingual Orthodontics from the University of Padova under Professor Dirk Wiechmann, the developer of the internationally recognised WIN lingual appliance system. He also holds Membership and Fellowship qualifications from all four Royal Surgical Colleges across Ireland, England, Scotland and Glasgow.
Dr Salloum is one of a small number of orthodontists in Ireland to hold European distinctions across the three major fields of contemporary orthodontics: comprehensive orthodontics, clear aligner orthodontics and lingual orthodontics. As a Diplomate of the European Board of Orthodontics (EBO), Diplomate of the European Board of Aligner Orthodontics (EBAO), Titular Member of the European Society of Lingual Orthodontics (ESLO), and an Active Member of the World Society of Lingual Orthodontics (WSLO), his credentials reflect recognised expertise across the full spectrum of modern orthodontic care.
He incorporates digital treatment planning, intraoral scanning and CBCT imaging into clinical practice and has a particular interest in the relationship between orthodontics, airway health, craniofacial growth and sleep-disordered breathing. He works closely with ENT surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, restorative dentists and sleep physicians to provide evidence-based, multidisciplinary care where appropriate.
Dr Salloum’s philosophy is to identify and treat the underlying cause of each patient’s orthodontic problem while optimising facial aesthetics, function and long-term stability. By combining sound biological principles with modern digital technology, he delivers personalised orthodontic treatment designed to achieve healthy, functional and lasting results. Dr Salloum is the only orthodontist at ISCD who treats with lingual appliances — read more about lingual braces in Dublin. Read his full specialist profile, including his qualifications and the complex cases he treats. He works jointly with our specialist oral surgeon on impacted canines, where the tooth must be surgically exposed before it can be aligned. He also co-ordinates the orthodontic phases of combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery cases, where the jaws themselves, rather than the position of the teeth, are the cause of the malocclusion. For clear aligner treatment in demanding cases, he sets out when complex Invisalign cases need a specialist orthodontist.
What is a Specialist Orthodontist?
A specialist orthodontist is a dentist who has completed a further three years of postgraduate orthodontic training and is listed on the Dental Council of Ireland’s Register of Dental Specialists.
Ireland’s Dental Council recognises only two dental specialties: orthodontics and oral surgery. Both of our orthodontists, Dr Susan O’Connell and Dr Erfan Salloum, are on the Council’s specialist register, while many clinics offering braces or aligners in Dublin are general dental practices. You can check any clinician’s status on the register before you commit, and our guide on what to check before choosing an orthodontist explains how.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the development of the face, teeth and jaws, with the aim of achieving close to ideal function and aesthetics.
In adults, treatment is more guided by patient factors to create a plan that creates improved function and beautiful smiles in a time, budget and treatment designed around each patient. These options can include fixed metal braces or ceramic braces, Invisible braces, lingual braces or Invisalign.
An orthodontist is a qualified specialist who undertakes a further 3 years of study on a postgraduate course at Masters or Doctorate level. Orthodontic training posts are highly competitive and before a dentist can begin their training pathway, they need to gain expansive work experience in a range of dental areas, including – maxillofacial surgery, restorative dentistry and paediatric dentistry.
What to Expect
What can I expect during a visit with my Specialist Orthodontist?
As part of the planning process for considering orthodontic treatment, it is important to meet Dr. Susan, and her nursing team, to go through an assessment and advise on options. Patients can be self-referred or referred from a dentist. An idea of research you may have done on types of braces and what preferences you may have, are all discussed in detail.
A detailed assessment including all records & measurements is required to determine the optimal course of treatment and time is spent advising on these options, the cost involved and the likely time commitment.
At your review appointment, Dr. O’Connell will provide a written report which includes the proposed plan, as well as highlighted alternative options. She will also provide you with your payment plan & options available around finance. She will review this with you before you commit to any treatment to ensure you are happy with every step. Once agreed, it’s time to start.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Treatment duration varies depending on the complexity of the case. Most adult orthodontic treatments take between 12 and 24 months. Invisalign cases may be shorter for mild to moderate alignment issues. Your orthodontist will provide an estimated timeline during your consultation.
What is the difference between Invisalign and fixed braces?
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, making them virtually invisible. Fixed braces use brackets and wires bonded to the teeth. Both are effective, and your specialist orthodontist will recommend the best option based on your specific needs. Read our detailed comparison of Invisalign and braces.
Am I too old for braces?
There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. An increasing number of adults are choosing to straighten their teeth for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Our two specialist orthodontists treat patients of all ages at our Dublin 1 clinic.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
While many patients are referred by their general dentist, you can also contact ISCD directly to arrange an orthodontic consultation. We welcome both referrals and direct enquiries.
How much does Invisalign cost in Dublin?
The cost of Invisalign depends on the complexity and duration of treatment. At ISCD, Invisalign treatment is €2,500 to €3,500 per case, and the specialist assessment is €150. Following your consultation, a detailed treatment plan and cost breakdown will be provided. Interest-free payment plans are available.
Further Reading: how to check a Dublin orthodontist is on the specialist register — the Dental Council register explained, the qualifications behind specialist status, what to ask at a consultation, and when a referral is appropriate.
Further Reading: Invisalign vs Braces: A Dublin Orthodontist’s Honest Comparison — an evidence-based guide comparing outcomes, treatment time, and cost for both options.
Further Reading: Braces for Teenagers Dublin: When to Start and What to Choose — specialist guidance on appliance options, treatment timing, and what parents can expect from adolescent orthodontic care.
Further Reading: Retainers After Braces: Why Teeth Move Back and How We Prevent It — why teeth move after treatment, what the evidence shows about fixed and removable retainers, and how retention is planned.
Further Reading: when a child should first see an orthodontist — the age the Orthodontic Society of Ireland recommends, what a first assessment looks for, and which problems the evidence says are worth treating early.
Further Reading: how long braces and aligner treatment really take — what the research says about average treatment time, the factors that add months, and why retention follows the brace.