My mother practiced orthodontics for more than 40 years. When I was growing up, I loved hanging out at her practice and seeing her work with people. That was one of the main reasons I was drawn to the orthodontic field. My father is an intensive care andcardiology specialist in Venezuela. It was from them both that I learned how to listen to my patients, explain myself clearly, and put them at ease. I am forever grateful to my parents for those invaluable skills.
I am also the mother of two beautiful boys, Daniel and Diego. Im very well organized and a great planner, which helps me keep a balance between work and taking good care of my family. I definitively treasure the time I spend with my children.
I received my dental degree from the School of Dentistry at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in 1993. Then I traveled to Philadelphia, where I obtained my orthodontic specialty certificatefrom the University of Pennsylvania in 1997. After returning to my home in Venezuela, I joined my mother and we practiced together for several years. I thoroughly enjoyed that time. I came in with my new ideas andmy love for technology, and was able to meld that with my Moms years of experience and wisdom.
In 2003, I accepted an associate professorial position at the Center for Advanced Dental Education at Saint Louis University. I loved it! I taught orthodontic residents. As a result, I continued to expand my own education, so I had the opportunity to use different technologies and see how they worked first hand and up close. While there, I was also a member of the Cleft Lip/Palate & Craniofacial Deformities Team at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis.
Even before we moved to San Antonio in 2006, my husbandJoseand I had planned for years to have a practice of our own. I was very lucky that he decided to join me as the office administrator, and together with our wonderful and professional team, we have dedicated our lives to serving our patients. That is how Atique Orthodontics was born.
We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive orthodontic care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding orthodontic experience every time you visit our practice.
Atique Orthodontics started as a family project with Dr. Atique and Jose, her husband. As our office administrator, Jose dedicates his time to making the office run smoothly and ensuring the happiness of our patients and staff. He has an MBA from Temple University and broad management experience, which makehim perfect to handle administration, marketing, insurance, finances, and IT. Jose also fills in as our office handyman, however reluctantly. If you have any questions about your account or insurance, hes the person to ask!
Jose and Dr. Atique have been married for more than two decades. They have two children, Daniel and Diego, as well as a cat, Catira, who is the princess of the house. In his free time, Jose is an avid cyclist, both road and mountain, and loves to do anything outdoors. Traveling is also a big hobby, as is being involved in the community.
Yrama went to dental school with Dr. Atique in Venezuela, where she also trained as an orthodontist. After many years of practice, she moved to San Antonio with her family, andshe is working towardgetting her dental license in the US. Meanwhile, she keeps her knowledge fresh by letting us use her experience as an orthodontic assistant. Working in the dental field has always been Yramas passion, as well as working with her hands to create something beautiful and provide wellness to her patients. She loves being a part of an amazing group of enthusiastic and positive people who are willing to help others and do the best they can.
Mary Margaret loves her family and friends, and always goesout of her way to make them smile. She and her husband J.D. are approaching their 30th wedding anniversary. Her son Jared and daughter Jordyn are both students at UTSA. Mary Margaret loves spending quality time with her family:cheering on the Spurs, Cowboys, and Astros, and baking.
Carla completed dental assistant school in 2006 and learned orthodontics from her amazing mom. In 2017, she joined our team, though she prefers to think of it as joining a second family. She appreciates that, as a team, we respect, trust, and genuinely care about each other. While Carla enjoys assisting Dr. Atique with all orthodontic procedures, her favorite part of her job is seeing all the beautiful smiles.
Dr. Atique is a specialist in orthodontics. The road to becoming an orthodontist is a long one. By selecting an orthodontic specialist, you are making sure that person has the right training and exposure to the best technology and techniques. To be an orthodontist, it requires two to three years of postdoctoral training. Remember, the only thing that we do in our practice is orthodontics no distractions.
Not all orthodontists are the same. Dr. Atique is an Ivy League-educated board diplomate specialist. Only a small percentage of orthodontists are board diplomates. A board diplomate orthodontistsuch as Dr. Atiquehas gone an extra step to ensure the best quality of care.
It would be impossible to provide the service that we offer without well-trained and caring staff. We always look beyond the professional training when wehire people who add to the team: people who care about what they do and make the day-to-day more fun.
We use the latest technology. We use Ultra Low Dose Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)with 3D imaging, that makes your diagnostic care more reliable. Self-ligating braces and Invisalign options result in faster and more efficient treatment.
Cost is also an important factor for many families. We help our patients by offering financing options. Most of the well-respected orthodontists around our area set competitive fees. So dont go after bargains, or youll probably be trapped in an orthodontic factory or TMPTPAs (Too Many Patients to Pay Attention).