My family and my work in orthodontics are two of the greatest sources of joy in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity I have every day as an orthodontist to give my patients something to smile about.

I have always enjoyed the technical aspects of orthodontics, but the most rewarding part of my profession is getting to know my patients and building relationships with them. Spending individual time with each patient to understand his or her needs and goals is an important part of my approach as an orthodontist. I partner with my patients in helping them achieve their ideal smile. Seeing their happiness and beautiful smiles as a result of their diligent efforts is what I love to do.

After completing my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003, I entered the U.S. Air Force. During my Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency (AEGD), I was exposed to all the dental specialties and made the decision to pursue orthodontics.

I was accepted to the Tri-Service Orthodontic Residency Program (TORP) at Lackland Air Force Base. Not only did this residency educate me in the art and science of orthodontics, it also helped me gain appreciation for the value of dentists and specialists working together to provide optimal care in achieving patients goals.

One year after completion of my orthodontic residency, I was fortunate to become a diplomate for the American Board of Orthodontics, a distinction bestowed upon only a small percentage of orthodontists in practice today.

Following specialty training, I served as chief of orthodontics at Yokota Air Base, Japan, for three years. During this time, I was able to enhance my orthodontic treatment skills and gain valuable leadership experience that has helped me in my profession and many other aspects of my life.

I also had the opportunity to serve as the director of orthodontics for the oral maxillofacial surgery residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center. This allowed me to build upon my knowledge and treatment techniques in the areas of surgical orthodontics, craniofacial anomalies, and cleft lip and palate.

I am happy to continue to enhance that knowledge and share what I know with residents of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio orthodontic residency program. Within this capacity, I serve as a member of the craniofacial anomalies board at The Childrens Hospital of San Antonio. I am also enjoying serving as faculty at the Tri-Service Orthodontic Residency Program as I continue my service in the military as a reservist.

In an effort to stay current with the latest innovations and technology in orthodontics, I attend study clubs and maintain membership with the American Association of Orthodontists, World Federation of Orthodontists, Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and the San Antonio District Dental Society.

She attended Mississippi State University, where she received a bachelors degree in biological engineering. Dr. Saunders then completed her dental training at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. She finally made her way down to Texas, where she completed her orthodontic residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

During her orthodontic training, she also received her masters degree along with serving as chief resident and acquiring a list of outstanding educational achievements. Upon completing her professional training, she became board certified in the specialty of orthodontics along with accepting a part-time faculty position at the UT Health San Antonio orthodontic residency program.

Dr. Saunders has been involved in numerous outreach activities in the community, including screenings for athletes at the Special Olympics, oral health care to homeless veterans, cooking and serving food to the homeless, and even traveling to Ghana, Africa, where she volunteered at a school for the deaf and an orphanage.

Dr. Saunders is eager to continue learning even after her training in order to stay up to date with new technologies and treatment modalities to better treat her patients. She serves as a board member to her alumni association as well as being involved with numerous organizations and study clubs, including the American Association of Orthodontists, Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association.

She met her husband while attending college in Mississippi, and they have been enjoying their life together with their daughter, Leila. Outside of her professional life, you can find her out on the golf course, traveling and experiencing new places, and enjoying the company of her family, friends, and two sweet Maltipoos.

Our team at Pierson & Saunders Orthodontics is dedicated to providing you with the highest possible level of service. Each member of our team is friendly and caring, as well as experienced and skilled. We work hard to ensure that each visit to our office is enjoyable, pleasant and gives you something to smile about. Our orthodontists and team in San Antonio, Texas, look forward to meeting you and your family soon!

Nichole Harmon Nichole is originally from Bay City, Texas. She enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and her two children, Keegan and Hagan. They enjoy spending time outdoors, going to the beach and spending time with family. She has completed four half marathons and hopes to someday complete a full one. Nichole has been in the orthodontic field since 2008. Building relationships with patients and their families is one of her favorite things about working in the field.

Yvette Gutierez Yvette was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Yvette has worked in the orthodontic field since 1994 and finds the most rewarding part of her job is meeting patients and seeing the transformation of their smile from beginning to end. In her free time, she loves to barbeque, workout, ride horses and barrel race with her daughter, LeighAnn.

Claudia Silva Claudia is originally from El Paso, Texas. She is the oldest of three children in her family and enjoys having a family of her own. She married her best friend, Juan Carlos, and they have two beautiful daughters named Daniela and Isabela. Her free time is spent with her family, volunteering and watching her kids play sports. Claudias favorite thing about working in the orthodontic field is seeing the transformation in the patients and the smiles that mean so much to them.

Cheryl Dendy If you ask Cheryl where home is, she will say San Antonio. Although she was born in Dallas, she has lived in San Antonio for the past 20 years. Her and her husband, John, enjoy spending time with their beautiful children and grandkids. When she is not at work, you might find her in the garden (as she has a bit of a green thumb) or eating some of her husbands amazing BBQ. One thing she enjoys about the orthodontic field is seeing how happy the patients are when they get their braces off and seeing their beautiful smiles.

Valerie Livingston-Gregg Although Valerie was born in San Antonio, she moved around a bit when she was younger. She came back to Texas when she was 13 and has been here ever since. Valerie describes her husband, two daughters and one son as incredible. She loves playing sports, staying active, and reading or watching crime documentaries. Her family enjoys being outdoors at the pool, a lake, or watching live sports or music somewhere. Her favorite thing about Pierson & Saunders Orthodontics is her coworkers. She says they have taught her so much, not only about the industry, but about life as well.

Esmeralda Payan Esmeralda, better known as Esme, is from Fort Worth, Texas. She says the best part of her day is getting a hug from a patient. Esme enjoys camping, fishing, traveling, visiting the beach and just relaxing. She also enjoys watching sports, especially the Cowboys, Mavericks and Spurs!

Elizabeth Garza Elizabeth, better known as Liz, is from San Antonio and enjoys being part of the Pierson & Saunders Orthodontics team. She loves being with our patients and continually building friendly, trusting relationships with them. During her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, Justin, and Cat, Ollie. She also loves riding her Peloton!

Jeunesse Perera Jeunesse was born and raised in San Antonio. Jeunesse says the best reward for coming to work each day is getting to see the look on our patients faces when they get their braces off and their smiles look so beautiful. Jeunesse has a little boy named Xavier. They love to be outdoors together and enjoy spending time at the park every chance they get.

Erica Fernandez Erica was born in San Antonio, Texas, but grew up in Bulverde. She has two beautiful daughters, April and Sam. Seeing the difference a beautiful smile makes in someones life is her favorite thing about working in the orthodontic field. In her free time, Erica enjoys gardening and watching the hummingbirds at her feeders.

Sam Goldstein Sam was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She and her husband, Robert, both have served in the Air Force. They have a daughter named Chloe and love to go camping and hiking together. Shes been in martial arts for over 20 years and is a 5th degree black belt! She says the most rewarding part of being a martial artist is teaching and inspiring children. Recently, she has picked up the hobby of beekeeping. She finds honey bees fascinating and can talk about them for hours. She enjoys working in orthodontics because she gets to build a good rapport with patients and she loves working with kids.

Faryn Huggins Faryn comes from a small town in Maryland. Her and her husband, Joe, have an adventurous little boy and a fur baby. All of them are very active and enjoy going on runs together. Often, their travel plans around the world will incorporate a running race. She says theres no better way to see the city than by running through it! She has ran 15 marathons and countless half marathons in her lifetime. Over the years, Faryn has seen thousands of smiles transformed and loves seeing the way a new smile can build confidence, can light up a room, and can even change ones life.

Ana Ruiz Ana was born in Houston, but raised in Monterrey N.L., Mexico. When shes not at work, Ana enjoys movie nights, gathering with family and friends, and taking her dog for walks. Her favorite thing about working in the orthodontic field is the opportunity to meet new people and build relationships with them and their families throughout the course of treatment.

Amy Maldonado Although Amy was born in Eagle Pass, she was raised in Del Rio, Texas. She says her family are some of the most supportive people she knows, and she wouldnt be who she is today without them. In her free time, she enjoys visiting family and friends, watching new shows or movies, and exploring new places with her fianc and her pup, Whiskey. Her favorite thing about working in orthodontics is seeing the patients faces after they get their braces off. She said its one of the coolest things when they look in the mirror and say, No way, these are my teeth?!

Camrie Martynuik Camrie is originally from Cleburne, Texas. She comes from a big family of six kids, and she is right in the middle. With two brothers and three sisters, she is very family oriented. Over the years, she has been in competitive cheer and tumbling, and she loves to stay involved with that as much as possible. She believes that having a confident smile can have a very positive impact on ones life. She says, Being able to play a small part in that is beyond rewarding. When shes not at work, she enjoys golfing with her boyfriend, Logan, and Golden Doodle, Callaway.