BlueSky Orthodontics is a Lubbock based orthodontic practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality orthodontic care and do so using advanced orthodontic equipment.

When he had braces as an adult several years ago he knew that he wanted to be a part of the same change he experienced. Having an opportunity to affect the self-esteem and quality of life of my patients is what drives me to provide the most advanced, highest quality, personal care available.

Some people may think it odd to feel so passionate about braces. Not so, says Dr. Ure. I have the best job in the world, I get to work with wonderful people and impact their lives in a positive way. I love to see the change in patients lives as their smile is transformed into something they are proud of. What could be more rewarding than that?

Dr. Ure was born and raised southeastern Idaho where he grew up in a small potato farming community and learned the values of family, hard work, integrity, and commitment to excellence. He is the second oldest of seven children and now has four of his own. He understands the challenges parents face in striving to raise and balance family and other demands.

If you ask Dr Ure what his hobbies are, he will probably tell you my kids. He and his wife Rachel were married in 2000 and live in northwestern Lubbock with their five children: Tayson, Mia, Ellie, Cade and Rya. While Rachel is a stay-at-home mom, you will still see her at the office where she helps out in various capacities. She is a creative spirit and you will see her artwork displayed in the office from time to time. She also is involved in the dance community here in Lubbock as a member of the Flatlands Dance Theatre company. Both she and Dr. Ure are active in their local congregation and have fallen in love with the Lubbock community.

Dr. Ure attended one of the top orthodontic schools in the country The University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco where he graduated at the top of his class. During his first year in orthodontic school, Dr. Ure was chosen as a prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar. He is currently the only dentist/orthodontist ever to receive this honor. He was also awarded the Arthur A. Dugoni Deans Scholarship and was named as a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society and Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society. He received the Best Dental Skills Award, as voted by his classmates, and was involved in community outreach as a volunteer member of S.C.O.P.E. (Student Community Outreach for Public Education).

After orthodontic school, Dr. Ure attended the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, where he completed his specialty training in orthodontics and received his Master of Science in dentistry. During his time in Saint Louis he was trained and mentored by some of the most respected orthodontists in the world.

Dr. Ure considers continuing training and education absolutely necessary if a doctor is going to provide the best, state-of-the-art care. Consistent with this belief, every year he completes more than three times the amount of continuing education hours required by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Blue Sky Orthodontics, as part of its mission, is dedicated to service to the Lubbock community. We are involved in Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, Blue Sky Winter Food Drive, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Give Kids a Smile, oral hygiene and orthodontic health education at several local schools, treatment for local underserved cleft palate patients, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals.

We try to treat every patient as if he or she were family, and understand that orthodontic treatment is an investment. We accept all private insurance and are the sole provider for many large insurance plans in the area, helping to limit out of pocket costs.

Crowded teeth are no fun, and if you have a child who is likely to develop this problem, it can be avoided by a palatal expander. This method is proven to widen the roof of your child's mouth so that teeth have room to grow. When teeth are crowded, they tend to grow in the

Cosmetic orthodontics works to improve the function and appearance of misaligned teeth. This type of oral treatment helps to even out bite pressure across all teeth, which safeguards the long-term health of gums, teeth, and jaws.Braces and aligners are used in cosmetic orthodontics to correct a crooked smile or misaligned bite. There are various types

Most people imagine braces as a treatment only for adolescents, but adult orthodontics are becoming increasingly common. If you are wondering whether braces as an adult are right for you, consider the benefits and then ask your orthodontist if you may be a good candidate.There are several benefits available for a person who decide to

A modern type of orthodontic appliance, clear aligners apply gentle pressure to the teeth to create a straighter, better-aligned smile. These aligners are considered by most to be more aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces and can be more hygienic as well. Although they are relatively simple to use, patients often have questions about what to

Palatal expanders are used to widen a patients palate (the roof of the mouth), creating more space for their top set of teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends bringing your child in for their first bite assessment by the time they reach seven.At this stage in their development, their bite should be established enough

Types of BracesTraditional Metal BracesAt BlueSky Orthodontics, we offer traditional metal braces since they are still one of the most effective ways for straightening teeth and transforming smiles. While these types of braces have been in use by orthodontists for decades, the technology continues to improve. In the past twenty years, the metal brackets and wires have become significantly smaller. Metal braces are more difficult to see and no longer monopolize a patient's smile. While the metal is still obvious, more of the natural tooth shines through.

Traditional metal braces work by having Derid S. Ure, D.D.S, M.S.D place a metal bracket onto each tooth. The bracket looks like a small rectangle. Once secure, we thread a thin metal wire through the brackets. We then ensure the wire stays in place by using rubber bands. Kids have the ability to select the color of their rubber bands, and can change them at each visit. Kids are able to have some fun with the rubber band colors based on their mood or the holiday season. For example, they can have their rubber bands match the colors of their favorite football team during the playoffs.

These braces are also the least expensive option, making them ideal for both children and adults. Traditional metal braces are known for dependable results and are still one of the few solutions for effectively moving a child's teeth into position.

Ceramic BracesPatients throughout Texas often ask us about clear ceramic braces. This is an excellent solution for patients who want to straighten their teeth, but do not want anyone to notice. Since the ceramic bracket is difficult to keep clean and take care of, we usually recommend ceramic braces for adults. If you stain the bracket, your tooth will appear as the stain color for the rest of the treatment process unless we replace it. A child may not be able to handle such a large responsibility, which makes metal braces a more practical solution.

As an orthodontist, the process for applying ceramic braces is similar to metal ones. The main difference being that the bracket is a tooth-colored ceramic material instead of metal. Simultaneously, the wires can be made of a tooth-colored material as well. This helps them to blend in, something that our Lubbock patients appreciate.

Lingual BracesThese types of braces are unique and not suited for everyone. At BlueSky Orthodontics, we do not recommend lingual braces for complex cases as it is difficult to access the brackets and wires. While lingual braces are of the same materials as metal braces, we place them behind your teeth. The placement makes them difficult to notice, an excellent choice for those who want to straighten their teeth discreetly.

InvisalignFor those that do not want to wear brackets at all, Invisalign, also known as clear aligners, is an ideal option for straightening teeth. Patients throughout Lubbock wear aligners without anyone else noticing. Invisalign is a set of clear aligners that surround both your upper and lower teeth. We have a orthodontic lab create the aligners after taking several impressions of the patient's teeth. Each aligner targets specific tooth and moves the teeth closer to being straight. The patient switches out the aligner with the next one in the set every few weeks to a month. After using all of the aligners, the teeth will be perfectly straight. This is an ideal solution for people that have busy lifestyles and do not want to visit the orthodontist on a regular basis. While some checkups are necessary, they are less frequent because lab technicians create the aligners in advance.

Another advantage patients experience when wearing aligners is that patients can remove them while eating and brushing their teeth. However, a patient will need to wear an aligner for 22 hours a day. Patients throughout the local area find it convenient that they can continue eating their favorite foods and caring for their teeth while receiving an orthodontics treatment. As a result, there is a lower risk of staining or damaging aligners when comparing them with traditional braces. The drawback is that aligners can be more expensive and are easy to lose by accidentally throwing them away. At BlueSky Orthodontics we will recommend that patients keep their aligners in a special case to help prevent patients from throwing the aligners away in the garbage.

Types of Braces: Multiple Options to Choose FromAt BlueSky Orthodontics, we offer several types of braces so that you, our patients, can select the option that works best for straightening your teeth. Our treatment plan will not encumber your lifestyle or work requirements. As an orthodontist, we can help you to select the option that works for you now and in the future.

Cosmetic braces are a great alternative to traditional braces, which are far more visible while they are worn. However, many patients still have concerns about how long the cosmetic brackets process takes to straighten teeth. Learning more about what cosmetic braces are and how long the treatment process takes can help you determine if treatment