Orthodontics

Orthodontics is that discipline of dentistry dealing with the movement of teeth for more optimal positioning of the teeth for proper function with the aesthetics coming along for the ride when proper function is achieved. While at Baylor University School of Dentistry, the orthodontic course of study was to say the least woefully inadequate as the powers that be did not want general dentists doing orthodontics - the essence of that year's study was I learned a 7 digit number to call and refer the patient to the orthodontist.

The periodontal department had us utilize removable appliances to get the teeth in proper position for function of teeth that had shifted prior to providing partials and bridges to replace missing teeth. Otherwise, Baylor was a great school to become proficient in the art and science of dentistry. While in the Air Force, I experienced first hand what some schools did and didn't teach and was glad Baylor provided the well rounded experience - save the orthodontic aspect. Unfortunately, that was the norm for most if not all schools.

Once I was on my own and in private practice, I saw my child patients having teeth removed and waiting until enough teeth were present for the orthodontist to put on braces. It usually resulted in four bicuspids being extracted; then not enough room for the third molars (wisdom teeth) and those extracted as well. The resulting facial profiles did not present attractive results and often patients also presented with joint problems. I did not desire for my own children to have that kind of result so I decided to take additional courses to see what would be best for them. That has been some time ago and many orthodontic courses have been taken since.

I began with removable appliances as that was what we were able to utilize in school - the orthodontic department would not let any other department utilize bands or brackets - but soon realized that one could not finish the cases as desired without fixed appliances. I took an additional orthodontic continuing education course at Baylor for adult orthodontics only to find out nothing had really changed. They still didn't want general dentists providing comprehensive orthodontic therapy even for adults. The American Orthodontic Society (AOS) put on several lecture courses and the first course I took was a full week.

My head was spinning from all the material - informational paralyses. Later AOS put on their first hands-on course which was a year-long course. I took it and have been taking orthodontic (as well as other disciplines of dentistry) continuing education courses annually since. Most years found me taking 100+ hours of classroom lectures and hands-on courses. The hands-on courses encouraged by the Academy of General Dentistry have been the most beneficial of all courses. I am not a specialist in any of the disciplines of dentistry but provide a broad spectrum of services from all the disciplines and am very comfortable providing those services. I utilize specialists when needed and consult with them on behalf of my patients on a regular basis.

I provide full banded orthodontics, functional jaw orthopedics (the use of appliances to reposition the lower jaw for proper function) and removable appliances including the Invisalign (invisible braces) technique. I offer the Invisalign only because some patients absolutely won't go for the traditional braces and for some situations, it is an easier if not less expensive technique. In my opinion, it is not as good as traditional braces as there is not as much control of the tooth movement and some movements are not possible without braces. Some people may be allergic to the invisible braces appliances. As with any treatment discipline, we are desirous to communicate with you before any treatment is initiated.