Dr. Joanna grew up in Calgary, a city in Alberta, Canada situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Her parents and sister still reside in Canada, and although she loves to visit her family, she doesnt miss the frosty winters of the north. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology with distinction at the University of Calgary in her hometown. Following her undergraduate degree, she migrated south and attended Boston University School of Dental Medicine and graduated summa cum laude with a DMD degree. Next, Dr. Joanna received her Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Science at wild and wonderful West Virginia University. Shes a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Southern Association of Orthodontists, and American Dental Association.

Dr. Joanna feels lucky to get the opportunity to meet new patients from all over the world. Dr. Joanna is fluent in Chinese and shares the same core values as Dr. Zane in that she believes in making orthodontic treatment easy and accessible to everyone. Dr. Joannas inner foodie loves that her patients get a great set of teeth to enjoy the best foods, while showing off their beautiful smile. Youll find Dr. Joanna on long hikes with her dog, Odie, and exploring the city with her fiance, Will. Shes excited to get to know Houstons lively and diverse people and cant wait to meet you!

Dr. Zane was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has lived all over the United States and abroad during his lifetime. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Urdu/Hindi, and German. After graduating from high school, he studied at the University of Connecticut where he graduated summa cum laude obtaining a BS in Biology with Honors and a BA in Spanish with Honors. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, one of the few Ivy League dental schools in the country, where he graduated with his DMD as a general dentist. During his time at Penn, he was involved in several community development programs. He is most proud of his initiatives to coordinate and deliver care to medically compromised individuals.

After graduating from Penn, Dr. Zane attended Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry where he received his Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics and a Masters in Oral Biology. He then taught clinical orthodontics part-time at Temple for three years, while working full-time. Dr. Zane loves being an orthodontist. In addition to being a member of the Texas Association of Orthodontists, the Southwestern Association of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Zane is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. His favorite part about what he does is making braces and Invisalign affordable, easy, and exciting for his patients. He is grateful for this opportunity to help change lives for the better and assist patients in feeling happy and confident about their smiles.

There are several orthodontic treatment options and appliances that range from traditional (metal) braces, clear or ceramic braces, invisible (lingual) braces, clear aligners (such as Invisalign), and retainers. Other appliances may also be recommended for some patients. Each treatment plan and associated appliance recommendation is designed specifically by Dr. Zane based on the desired outcome of the patient. Orthodontists, like Dr. Zane, have the specialized knowledge to consider all possibilities, based on variables like your age, possible jaw imbalances, differences in the size of your teeth, and more. They know which appliances to use and when to use them, and will work with you to make the best decision for your best smile.

Phase I: Orthodontic treatment while baby teeth are still present in the mouth is known as Phase I orthodontic treatment. A small percentage of children may require Phase I treatment. Dr. Zane will help guide you through the pros and cons of this special type of treatment. Phase I treatment typically includes limited braces or appliances like expanders. They are usually in place for a very limited period of time in order to achieve limited goals that are specific to your child. If children have Phase I orthodontic treatment, typically they will need a second phase, or Phase II treatment, to align the adult teeth after they have erupted into the mouth.

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment: This type of orthodontic treatment is traditional treatment once baby teeth have all exfoliated (fallen out). Comprehensive treatment is traditionally carried out using metal braces that are fixed to the teeth. Clear braces fixed to the teeth may be an option for some children. Invisalign is an option available to some teenagers as well. Dr. Zane and his team look forward to working with you to select the option that best fits your childs unique situation.

Adjunctive Procedures: Cleanings, fillings, veneers/bonding, gum treatments, extraction of teeth, and jaw surgery are examples of procedures that may be needed in conjunction with braces to achieve improved results, however these procedures are not performed by an orthodontist. At rthotex smile specialists, we will strive to work closely with other dental professionals in the community to coordinate such procedures during your childs time in braces with us.

Cleanings, fillings, gum treatments, veneers/bonding, extraction of teeth, and jaw surgery are examples of procedures that may be needed in conjunction with braces to achieve improved results, however these procedures are not performed by an orthodontist. At rthotex smile specialists, we will strive to work closely with other dental professionals in the community to coordinate such procedures during your time in treatment with us.

Treatment time in braces or Invisalign typically ranges from one year to three years, depending upon the specific goals for your smile that you and Dr. Zane discuss. Treatment time averages two years for teenagers. You have a direct impact on how long you will be in braces. Coming in about every 6 weeks for adjustment visits, complying with dietary restrictions, wearing elastics consistently and correctly when prescribed, and maintaining great oral hygiene all help to keep your treatment time short and your brace removal date on target.

Anytime teeth are being moved by braces or Invisalign, oral hygiene is crucial. Braces are fixed to the teeth and tend to collect food and plaque. Bacteria in plaque sitting on the braces and against the teeth produce acid which can begin to eat away at the enamel of teeth and cause cavities and gum inflammation or gingivitis. Cavities begin as white spots on teeth. White spots can be permanent and are preventable with proper oral hygiene practices. Gum inflammation can cause the teeth to move more slowly, resulting in longer time in braces. Gum inflammation or gingivitis may also progress to periodontitis, which is permanent destruction of the bone and tissues surrounding teeth.

Tooth brushing: With braces, tooth brushing should be performed at least three times a day (after meals). Place half of the bristles on the teeth and half of the bristles on the gums and brush back and forth to remove plaque and bacteria. Regular soft bristled toothbrushes work fine. Electric toothbrushes are also a great option for people in braces, but require just as much work and frequency of brushing. Make sure all surfaces of the teeth, brackets and wires are being cleaned with your toothbrush.

Flossing: Flossing can be tedious when in braces but is very important to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Flossing aids such as super-floss or floss threaders are available to thread under the wire. Proxibrushes and water flossers are great adjuncts to flossing but do not replace flossing.

Rinses: Various over-the-counter rinses are available to aid in oral hygiene with braces and Invisalign. These include rinses with essential oils or fluoride. Ask Dr. Zane or his team if you have additional questions regarding mouthwash or fluoride rinses and how to use them.

Braces are much more comfortable than they used to be. That said, once braces are placed on the teeth, it can take some time to get used to them. Dr. Zane recommends being patient when becoming accustomed to braces. It may take between 1 to 4 weeks until you feel fully comfortable with these appliances on your teeth. Give yourself time.

A few hours after your braces are placed, you will begin to feel some discomfort or tightness around your teeth and gums. This is your bodys normal response as the braces begin to encourage the teeth to move very slowly in the right direction. This discomfort or soreness may last for several days after you get your braces. Over-the-counter pain medications have been shown to work well with this discomfort or soreness. Always be sure to choose an over-the-counter medication with which you have had a positive experience and with which there is no history of negative reactions. Ask Dr. Zane or your primary care physician for advice as needed.

At first, the corners of the braces may irritate the inside of the cheeks and cause discomfort and sometimes even small blisters or ulcers. Warm salt water rinses may help relieve this discomfort. To relieve discomfort, orthodontic wax may be placed on the corners of the braces as well. Dry the corners of the offending brace or wire with a piece of tissue paper, roll a small piece of wax into a ball, and place on the bracket as needed.

Braces are attached to the teeth with special cement. However, if pressure is placed on a bracket in the wrong direction, the bracket will debond or break off the tooth. This is a problem because if a brace is not fixed to the tooth, the tooth will not move and will get left behind as your treatment progresses. Over time, bracket breakage can lead to increased time in treatment.

Absolutely! The colors on your braces are also known as o-ties and are used to hold your orthodontic wires in your brackets. They are small plastic donuts that stretch over your brackets to secure the arch wire in place. The day you get your braces, and every time you come for an adjustment, we will offer you a variety of colors from which to choose. Some patients like to choose school or seasonal colors and others prefer more subtle colors such as grey or silver that blend in with the braces.

Rubber bands (elastics) are special disposable orthodontic appliances that are prescribed by an orthodontist in conjunction with braces to help adjust the bite or to encourage teeth to move in a particular direction. You are in charge of placing them on special hooks on your braces and removing them as well. In order to be effective, rubber bands need to be worn at least 22 hours per day and need to be changed 2-3 times per day. Sometimes, the only way to correct a bite without removing permanent teeth or performing jaw surgery is to be compliant with rubber band wear.

The most important part of your orthodontic treatment actually begins the day your braces are removed. After all the time, energy and investment in achieving a nice smile and a good bite, you need to maintain or RETAIN your result. This is accomplished by retainers. For the first six months after the braces are removed, the bone around your teeth is soft and needs time to heal. Retainers act as casts to allow the teeth to be held in position as the bone around the teeth hardens or heals. Until instructed by Dr. Zane to switch to night-time only wear, retainers need to be worn 24/7 (except when eating or brushing).

Dr. Zane has found that clear retainers, when worn nighttime for a lifetime, are effective in holding the teeth properly and maintaining your bite and your smile. They are easy to clean and easy to wear. If cared for well, your clear retainers may only need to be replaced every few years.

Invisalign aligners are a series of clear removable plastic trays that are custom-made to fit your mouth. They are programmed to slowly move your teeth to the desired position. Invisalign aligners are a compliance-based appliance, meaning that in order to get the desired effect, you have to wear them. If aligners are not worn at least 22 hours per day, your teeth will not move to the desired location. Compliance with Invisalign means that your aligners must be in your mouth at all times except when you are eating, drinking hot or colored liquids, or brushing your teeth.

Results: Invisalign is a great alternative to braces for many people. Sometimes, because of lack of compliance with aligners or simply because of the limitations of moving teeth with aligners, braces may need to be placed on the teeth in order to achieve the final details in alignment of the teeth and the jaws.