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"UNPRECEDENTED times call for UNPRECEDENTED faith." These words were spoken just yesterday by my dear friend, Kelley Orthodontic alumni, and beloved pastor Dr. Cody McQueen. He is spot on. Never has my faith been more shaken or proven more solid than during unprecedented times like today.

Well, times just got a little more "unprecedented" for Kelley Orthodontics. Governor Abbott is asking us, as health professionals, to partner with him in helping cease the spread of this virus. Though we are having to make some responsible temporary changes, we BY ALL MEANS ARE STILL OPEN and HERE FOR YOU.

Click link below to hear how we are going to work together to make some positive changes for our Fort Worth community and country as a whole.

I pray you take this time of "social distancing" with those outside your family to link arms and hold on tightly to those inside your family; AND to connect, connect, connect relationally to those around you. Social distancing in no way means relationship distancing. Get creative: write a letter, call a loved one, send an email, deliver a meal or a care package, FaceTime, Marco-Polo, start a zoom family/friend conference call, or send a letter in a bottle if you have an ocean nearby. I don't know - but there are a lot of folks out there who desperately need connections. You and I were created to live in community and connect. It's the way the Good Lord designed us. I look forward to hugging your neck, shaking your hand, and connecting with you in proximity in the near future. BUT until then, we are here for you by phone, email, and social media. Let's connect. I sure miss you.  Much love from our home to yours!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptjq1XElg-0

I am often asked by friends living outside Fort Worth, “How should I choose my orthodontist?” With as many dental specialties as there are and with insurance constantly changing, I am not surprised by this frequent request. The search can be overwhelming.

First, make sure the person that you are considering is actually an orthodontist and not simply a primary care dentist that does braces. Orthodontics is not just about beautiful smiles. It is a complex science that involves moving bone, bite alignment and longevity of function. Orthodontists are dentists who have completed a 4-year graduate program in dentistry to receive their DDS or DMD. They choose to continue their education for an additional 2-3 years by enrolling in a competitive residency at an accredited program specializing in orthodontics. To determine if the professional that you are considering for treatment is a specialist, look him or her up on the American Association of Orthodontists website. This site lists only specialists who have graduated from an accredited orthodontic program and belong to the AAO.

A board-certified orthodontist is an orthodontist who has voluntarily taken their specialty a step further. They have endured hundreds of additional hours of preparation to demonstrate the judgment, skills, and knowledge required for providing the highest level of patient care. They have achieved board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association and in affiliation with the American Association of Orthodontists. Achieving board certification is the last step in a long and intensive educational experience to ultimately provide excellent patient care. To determine if the orthodontist that you are considering for treatment is board certified, look him or her up on the American Board of Orthodontics website. This site lists only orthodontists who have taken this extra step to become board certified.

The next place I would seek a referral would be from other SPECIALISTS in the area, especially oral surgeons. Although there are a lot of primary care dentists who might be helpful in your search, many of them are attempting orthodontics themselves. Oral surgeons and other specialists work with ALL orthodontists in their area. Thus, they are able to see and compare results and form an objective opinion. A primary care dentist may only work with a couple of orthodontists, but an oral surgeon typically works with dozens.

Another good source of information today is the internet. However, take the information you find there with a grain of salt. Practice websites and social media sites do not always accurately portray the quality of work the orthodontist provides. A bad orthodontist might have found an excellent website designer. On the other hand, an excellent orthodontist just might not be as technically savvy in today’s internet world. You should search for reviews on the orthodontists you are considering, but again realize that not all reviews are accurate. Happy patients usually don’t go out of their way to write reviews, but unhappy ones can’t wait to get their fingers to a computer. Some doctors invest in systems to aid in acquiring positive reviews, while others let reviews happen organically. No doctor can make every patient happy all the time. (I would actually warn you to stay away from those who contort themselves trying.) One or two poor reviews should not scare you off, assuming they are accompanied by several positive ones.

Last but not least, pay a personal visit to the office you are considering. What is your initial impression as you park, approach the building, and are greeted at the front desk? Is the office up to date and clean? Is the staff helpful and in a good mood? Keep in mind that you will be visiting this office about once a month until your treatment is complete. Upon visiting, ask yourself if the office feels like home and if the staff feels like an extension of your family.

I am a board-certified orthodontist. I feel extremely blessed to be part of this elite group of specialists practicing orthodontics today. And though I am confident that I am an excellent orthodontist, I am also confident that I am not necessarily the best choice for everyone based on individual personality and needs. There are MANY great orthodontists in your area. There certainly are in Fort Worth!

Find the orthodontist that is best for YOU. Talk to your friends, search the internet, visit offices, interview oral surgeons, and always ask your potential doctor if they are a specialist. Finding YOUR orthodontist is not always easy, but it is definitely worth your time, your mental peace, and your SMILE to do your homework. Afterall, doesn’t your smile deserve the BEST?

May brings back a host of memories of completing the school semester and taking finals. As I drive through the TCU campus, I almost shudder recalling the years of taking finals and the stress accompanying them. As I watch my own daughter, a graduating high school senior, prepare for her final exams, the stress she is under permeates our home. (not at all fun for our family of six)

My encouragement to all of our patients who are pursuing education is to Finish Strong. You will survive finals and make it to the summer. The question remaining is, "Will you provide your best effort?” There are a host of reasons to Finish Strong: achieving the grade you desire, genuine interest in the subject matter, the hope of making your teacher proud, and fulfilling the expectations your parents have requested. Most of the meaningful accomplishments in my life came through hard work and determination. I was a good student, but not a great one. I was one of those guys who had to work HARD. (How I envied some of my buddies who seemed to never crack books and still fly by with A’s and B’s.) Though honestly, I do not know anyone who made it through their school years without a few bumps along the way. I can almost guarantee you will experience disappointment. I know I did. Thus, please do not let a professor, teacher, instructor, or grade define you.

I had one of my favorite professors in college tell me, "The only reason you are pursuing dentistry is because you want to be a doctor." I was devastated. I thought he knew me better and the goals I had in my life. At that point, I had a choice. Would his opinion "define me," or would I allow this to simply be a "defining moment". I chose the latter. This became a moment in which I determined to prove his words a lie. I searched my heart and validated my reasons behind my career choice, and I worked harder to become who I knew God had called me to be. This bump became a defining moment for me in a very positive way.

Thank goodness I chose to pursue my heart’s calling and not let one person or his opinion of me take me out. As your orthodontist, I desire to provide you with the best smile imaginable and encourage you to pursue your dreams. I know you can Finish Strong with hard work and a little sacrifice. For me, the sacrifices I made are worth it everyday. I have the privilege of being your orthodontist, getting to know your heart, and seeing you achieve your goals. Choose for those bumps in life (those crummy grades, those not so understanding teachers, those circumstantial friends, and those personal mistakes along the way) to simply become teachable moments. Remember, they do not define you. You are bigger and your dreams are reachable. Finish Strong, friends! Finish strong, seniors. The best truly is yet to come!

(PS. - Graduating seniors, make sure you send us an announcement or stop by our office this month. We have a special gift for YOU!)

One of the questions I often answer during new patient appointments is, “Do you see many patients with missing permanent teeth?” The answer is, “Yes, I do.”

Approximately sixteen percent of the population is congenitally missing a permanent tooth, meaning the tooth never forms. This figure does not take into consideration third molars or patients who have lost a tooth during their life.

Another common question I receive is, “Why do you see so many patients with missing teeth when it is a relatively small group in our population?” Because, orthodontics provides the best treatment plans to help patients solve this problem. Solving this problem orthodontically tends to be less invasive and less financially costly to the patient.

The three main orthodontic treatment plans I recommend for correcting the tooth missing issue: are: 1. preserve the primary (baby) tooth; 2. replace the missing tooth; or 3. orthodontically close the space where the permanent tooth is missing. The condition of the teeth, the fit of the teeth (occlusion), and the amount of crowding/spacing in the mouth are all factors that influence which treatment plan is ideal for a patient.

Preserving the baby tooth is my preferred plan of treatment as long as the fit of the teeth is good and there is not significant crowding. If the primary tooth fuses with the bone (ankylosis) at any stage, the primary tooth will need to be removed and a restorative treatment plan put into action. Replacing the missing tooth is usually accomplished with an implant and a crown.

An implant is a permanent structure placed into the bone, usually by an oral surgeon or periodontist. The implant will remain in the bone for the rest of the patient’s life. The crown on top of the implant is placed by the primary care dentist and usually needs to be replaced every ten to fifteen years.

If the patient has crowding, the primary tooth can be removed and the teeth can be orthodontically moved to close the space and fit the teeth together properly.

If you or your child is missing permanent teeth, please visit an orthodontist to learn more about your treatment options. An orthodontist will work with your primary care dentist to develop the best treatment plan for you, while orthodontically moving your teeth to give you the smile you have always wanted and a bite that is properly aligned. Every smile deserves the best treatment options and, when needed,  a board certified orthodontist.