Dr. Sheila Phelan (FAY-lin), is a native of Michigan and was raised near Ann Arbor. She attended The University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and another in International Studies. She caught the travel bug when she was given the opportunity to live in Italy for a couple of months during her studies. Dr. Phelan also served as a radio sports broadcaster for the Michigan football team, something she realizes is a touchy subject being in Ohio so be sure to ask her about it she can get spirited when it comes to the matter!

After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Phelan moved to Richmond, Virginia where she completed a Certificate in Advanced Biomedical Studies. She was then accepted into dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University. In Richmond, she was a food blogger and enjoyed eating her way through the city (as affordably as possible, given her student status). She is an avid cook and baker and her faculty in Richmond frequently reaped the benefits of her stress baking.

After dental school, Dr. Phelan opted to attend a 2 year expedited orthodontic program at The University of Iowa, earning both her certificate to practice orthodontics and a Masters in the field. Her thesis research on surgical versus non-surgical correction of Class II malocclusions was published in the European Journal of Orthodontics. Less than 2 months after graduating, she travelled to St. Louis to partake in the optional Orthodontic Board Certification process, becoming one of the youngest orthodontists to pass this examination.

During her last year of dental school, Dr. Phelan met her now-husband, Tim, a native of Baltimore, MD. The job search brought them here to Toledo and to our practice. Sheila and Tim were married in Whitehouse, Ohio and Dr. Bunkers and his lovely wife, Lynda, were there to share in the celebration.

Dr. Phelan is happy to be the owner of small business, and proud especially to be here in Toledo where supporting local is embraced so wholeheartedly. She does her part by collaborating with local businesses whenever possible. Our tech support, accounting services, advertising campaign, and multiple office vendors are all Toledo-based companies.

Dr. Bunkers and I had a lot of dreams for the practice when I started. When the office transitioned to one that is woman-owned, we were both very excited. For many months, Dr. Bunkers gave me the opportunity to spread my wings. He encouraged me to treat the practice as my own, and he was always a phone call away to bounce ideas off or to share words of wisdom. I consider it a great honor that Dr. Bunkers chose me to carry his legacy. Here I am holding the keys to one of the oldest and most respected practices in Northwest Ohio.

When Dr. Bunkers, my dear friend and mentor, passed away, it happened much more suddenly and sooner than anyone expected. I wish we had been able to celebrate his retirement grandly and given him the acknowledgement he so greatly deserved. So much of who I am is tied to lessons he taught me. Not just who I am as an orthodontist, but as a person. Dr. Bunkers generosity and sense of adventure were admirable. His laugh was infectious. His conviction contagious.

Dr. Bunkers greatest love in life was being a smile artist. He and I would chat for hours discussing cases and we shared many ideals about treatment: namely, that there is no cookbook way to view a case. I remember one story particularly because it is so representative of our relationship: I had sent him photos of a case while he was on a vacation in the French Polynesian one of his favorite places. At 8pm, I got a call from.low and beholdDr. Bunkers! He told me, Hi we are taking a salsa class but I saw that photo and I think your idea is great lets talk about it. This practice was his pride and joy and I will continue his passion and his commitment to our community since moving here, I have been welcomed so warmly. My husband and I picked a wonderful place to put down roots.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an orthodontist. But to me that dream did not just mean making smiles it meant owning a business, being part of the community, doing things on my own terms. Dr. Bunkers gave me something truly special: a chance. For that I will be forever grateful. And when I walk the halls of our office, I hope he is walking with me and I hope I can make him proud.

A dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience past dental school. They are trained specifically to be able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit one around the age of 7; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about 1 in every 5 patients being over the age of 21. Whether youre considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

The amount of time spent in braces or aligners will vary depending on the individual patient because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between 6 and 30 months, but most standard treatments take about 22 months.

Yes! In fact, its even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. Food may be caught in places that your toothbrush cant reach. This causes bacteria to build up that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy.

Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but they will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.