Combining experience with advanced education and personal care, our orthodontist and staff strive to bring you only the best orthodontic treatment options available, including clear braces, and Invisalign.

Native to North Texas, Dr. Chris Cramer worked as a mechanical engineer for Motorola before returning to school at Baylor College of Dentistry in downtown Dallas where he earned a doctor of dental surgery degree, masters of science in oral biology, and certificate in orthodontics. He was honored to receive the prestigiousHarry Sicher Research Award, one of the top two highest orthodontic research awards in all of the United States and Canada for his masters research on speeding up tooth movement.

Renee has been working with us since 1999 and feels very blessed to part of this amazing orthodontic family.She lives in Sanger with her husband Mark, they have four children and one granddaughter. In her time away from the office she loves spending time with her family.

Louann is a Texas girl, having lived in and around the Denton area most of her life. She and her husband, Bruce, have one beautiful daughter, Jaime, and three awesome grandchildren, Tristan, Jacob, and Katie. When Lou isnt at the office, she loves spending time with her family and her morkie Max! She enjoys music and is active in the choir at Denton Bible Church.

Holly has been in the orthodontic field since 2003 and has worked with Dr. Pickering and Dr. Cramer since the start of her career. She grew up all over the South but settled in Corinth with her husband and four children. Holly is an avid runner and enjoys lifting weights during her free time.

Kyla has been working with us since 2011 and has loved every minute of it. She has felt very blessed to join such a fun and loving orthodontic family. She was born and raised in Sanger, TX, and graduated from the University of North Texas. She married her high school sweetheart, Jamie, and they have two beautiful children, Matthew and Madison. She loves spending free time outdoors with her family.

Jamie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She met her husband, Kendall, when they both attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Oklahoma. Kendall serves as a Worship Pastor at Denton Bible Church. Jamie has two beautiful daughters and their spouses. Lauren and Marc, who live in Denton, and Alexandra and Garrett, who live in California. Her favorite activities include traveling with her family, baking and cooking, music, and working out with her husband.

Born and raised in England, Jennifer moved to Texas in 2002 when she married Bill. They have a son Liam who is in High School. Jennifer has worked in dental for 14 years before joining the office in 2017. She loves her family and Jesus. In her spare time, she likes to do crafty things, go to the movies, and explore America.

Debbie got into the dental field after graduating from Texas Tech University with a merchandising degree and working as a merchandiser. Wanting a career change, she entered the dental field as an assistant. Eventually, within the 20-year span and working in different aspects of dentistry, she decided that orthodontics was her favorite. Debbie and her husband Jake, live in Paradise with their two great kids Nelson (18) and Piper (10). They enjoy traveling together and spending time with family.

Chelsea has been in the orthodontic field since 2015 and working with us since 2018. She is an Oklahoma girl who is pretty new to the area but shes loving every minute of the Texas life. Chelsea is married to Hayden Terry and they have a little boy, Paxton.

EmergenciesWhen a patient is in discomfort, we expect a phone call even on the weekend. Call our pager phone at 940-367-3004. Loose or broken braces, wires, or appliances may or may not be defined as emergencies, so please call our assistant and she will determine if a quick visit to the office is needed or not.

FinancialsAll services are charged directly to the patient. In most cases we will accept assignment for your insurance benefits. However, it must be understood that the fee is ultimately the responsibility of the party billed.

CooperationTreatment is teamwork, and cooperation is the single most important factor in achieving ideal treatment results. In order to help our patients reach their treatment goals, we provide an incentive program and we reward patients for cooperation in the areas listed below. We award virtual wooden nickels that can later be redeemed for a variety of gift cards.

DietLoose or broken braces or appliances are normally caused by improper eating habits and will cause treatment progress to be delayed. You will want to avoid hard or sticky foods that will damage the braces.

ElasticsRubber bands may be required during treatment. Please follow the instructions carefully so that you can finish your treatment on time. If elastics are not worn consistently or correctly, your treatment will not progress.

The Wooden Nickel Program is an incentive program where patients can earn virtual wooden nickels for good cooperation and wearing their Cramer Orthodontics T-shirt, and then redeem those nickels for gift cards. We have gift cards to Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Target, iTunes, and more

For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. Before braces, you may limit your smile to closed-mouth only, not showing your teeth due to embarrassment. But when your braces come off, youll be proud to grin big; providing you a stronger sense of self-confidence. Braces give you the smile

The stereotypes of painful orthodontics are gone. Today, Orthodontic Treatment is quick, simple, and less painful than before. Braces place a continuous, gentle force against your teeth in a controlled direction. They slowly move teeth to the corrected and desired position. Used to, each tooth had a metal band and bracket placed around it, but today methods are more innovative. You can choose the color of the bands that hold the less noticeable wire; you can chose brackets that are clear and virtually unseen. With todays technology, wires are made with high-tech materials that allow for teeth to move faster and with less discomfort. This is a good time to wear braces.

Treatment time varies depending on the patients mouth and face growth; as well as the severity of the problem. Generally speaking, treatment times range from one to three years. Treatment time also is affected by the patients compliance and use of prescribed rubber bands and/or appliances. By following the doctors orders, reaching optimal teeth positioning can be done without delay and will help achieve the most efficient treatment. Interceptive treatments, which are early treatment procedures, usually take as few as six months to complete.

While the majority of people have braces installed in their teenage years, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends evaluations can begin as soon as age 7 to see if orthodontic treatment will be needed. By that age, the first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in and issues with the teeth can be evaluated. Some issues we find include crossbites and crowding.

When treatment begins early enough, the orthodontist can guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth as well as regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches. Early treatment can also reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, gain space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extraction, correct thumb-sucking, and eliminate abnormal speech problems.

No matter the age, orthodontic treatment can be successful. Although braces for adults might seem unnecessary or unwanted, its important to note that one in every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over the age of 21. Adults can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.

In adult patients, we find that jaw surgery is sometimes needed more than in younger patients, simply because adult jaws no longer grow. The ability to control the path of jaw growth is not available. It is also found in some adult patients a breakdown or a loss of teeth or bone that supports the teeth that could require periodontal treatment as well as orthodontic treatment. Bone loss can also limit the amount and direction of tooth movement.

What is the two-phase orthodontic treatment?The Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment is a process that involves tooth straightening and physical, facial changes. The purpose is to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, and aesthetic result you will have for the rest of your life. The two-phase treatment maximizes that opportunity.

1. Development for your FoundationThe first phase treatment is your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful teeth. It begins by developing the jaw size in in order to accommodate all the permanent teeth. It also is specific to relate the upper and lower jaws to each other. At an early age, some patients may show signs of jaw problems as they develop. Jaws that are growing too much or not enough, both upper and lower, can be recognized at an early age. If this jaw discrepancy is evident after age 6, they may be a candidate for early orthodontic treatment.

Early phases of orthodontic treatment can enormously benefit children, because they are growing rapidly. This is done by utilizing orthodontic appliances that direct the growth of the upper and lower jaws. A good foundation can be established creating adequate room from the eruption of all permanent teeth. By correcting this early, permanent tooth removal can often be prevented and correction of overcrowding can occur. Leaving a condition untreated until all permanent teeth come in can result in a jaw problem too severe to achieve a good result with braces.

Making records to determine your unique treatmentOrthodontic records are necessary to determine the types of appliances that may need to be used. Records also help determine the duration of treatment time, and frequency of visits. Our records are made up of digital models of teeth, digital x-rays, and digital photographs.

Stay healthy and look attractiveThe primary goal of the second phase is to ensure that each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it aligns with the lips, cheek, tongue, and other teeth. If this is accomplished properly and equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly.

Movement & RetentionOrthodontic records were made in the first phase as well as a diagnosis and treatment plan established. You may have had certain appliances used in the first phase also. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have come in, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for one to three years. The average is around 24 months. After braces, retainers are worn to ensure you keep your beautiful smile.

Dentofacial Orthopedics is the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs primarily during childhood. This differs from Orthodontics, which is the management of tooth movement. In both Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, appliances are used to correct issues. The most familiar is braces in Orthodontics, but you will also see other specialized equipment such as rubber bands and expanders. Orthopedic treatment will sometimes occur ahead of traditional braces, but usually you will see these two accomplished at the same time.

If someone is wearing braces and rubber bands, they are undergoing both orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Dr. Cramer specializes in both Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics so is able to diagnose misalignment in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure.

What is the Motion Appliance?Utilizing the latest in advanced orthodontic technology, the Motion Appliance ensures a fast, effective and aesthetic first phase treatment. Plus by jumpstarting your orthodontic care with the Motion Appliance, your overall treatment time is reduced, which means less time in braces.

Normal treatment time for the appliance is three to five months, but it can differ depending on your orthodontic case. When the desired movement is reached, your orthodontist will remove the appliance and will place your braces or aligners to complete your orthodontic care.

With the Motion Appliance, achieving a beautiful smile in the shortest possible time has never been so easy. This sleek, comfortable Class II correction appliance was designed with the patient in mind.

What is an orthodontist?An orthodontist is a specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

At what age should your child first visit Cramer Orthodontics?Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the childs physician.

What is Phase I and Phase II treatment?Phase I, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of six and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, and underbites, or harmful oral habits. Phase II treatment is also called comprehensive treatment because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Would an adult patient benefit from orthodontics?Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Twenty to twenty-five percent of orthodontic patients today are adults.

How does orthodontic treatment work?Braces use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions. The brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions. The same effect is now possible with Invisalign clear aligners, which puts gentle pressure on your teeth to move them gradually into an aligned position.

Do braces hurt?The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and connected with the archwires you may feel some soreness of your teeth for one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

Will braces interfere with playing sports?No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Mouthguards are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Dr. Cramer will provide a complimentary mouthguard, or patients can purchase the Double Braces Mouthguard at shockdoctor.com or Academy: Sports and Outdoors.

I love helping people achieve life-changing smiles through the practice of orthodontics in a warm, compassionate environment with staff who will treat you like family. I felt so blessed when Dr. Pickering invited me to join his practice to continue the legacy of love and compassion toward his patients that he has cultivated for nearly 20 years.

Native to North Texas, I worked as a mechanical engineer for Motorola before returning to school at Baylor College of Dentistry in downtown Dallas where I earned a doctor of dental surgery degree, masters of science in oral biology, and certificate in orthodontics. I was honored to receive the prestigious Harry Sicher Research Award, one of the top two highest orthodontic research awards in all of the United States and Canada for my masters research on speeding up tooth movement. I am currently thePresident-Elect for the Texas Association of Orthodonticswhere we strive to guide our profession into the future.

I believe its important to stay on the cutting edge of orthodontics. To this end, I achieved board certification by the American Board of Orthodontics (a distinction only 1 out of 4 orthodontists achieve) and I attend numerous hours of continuing education to stay informed of the latest orthodontic treatment methods. Yes, this takes a lot of hard work, but your smile is worth it!

I am married to the love of my life, Kelley, and we have beautiful twin daughters Courtney and Kerry who keep us busy with cheerleading, dance, and all of the usual teenage activities. In my spare time, you might find me on my road bicycle, woodworking in the garage, or spending time with my family.