After Dr. Welch graduated from dental school in 1979, he was offered several opportunities to enter private practice or specialty training. His desire to give something back to a country which he felt had given him so much led him to a commitment to the US Public Health Service. He spent a total of three years with the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and Penobscot Native Americans in Maine. After an unforgettable experience with extraordinary people, Dr. Welch was honored to be offered a position at the Michael Cardone Sr. School of Dentistry where he was a professor of general dentistry for the next five years.

His desire to return to public service once again called him to the United States Navy where he spent the following eight years serving the needs of active-duty military members. The locations where he served were: Cherry Point Marine Air Station North Carolina, Charleston Naval Station (assigned to the USS Sierra which spent six months in the Mediterranean with the USS Eisenhower carrier group during Desert Shield). He was then transferred to North Island Naval Air Station followed by a promotion to clinic director at Point Loma Submarine Base, California.

Dr. Welch left the United States Navy to pursue a long-standing desire to become a specialist in orthodontics. He spent the next three years as a full time resident at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He obtained a masters degree and orthodontic specialty certificate. After completing the Masters program he entered the United States Air Force and served in Germany. Two years later he was appointed chairman of orthodontics at Travis Air Force Base California which involved teaching oral and maxillofacial surgery residents and general dentistry residents orthodontics as it pertains to their patient care. He was then selected to establish the first orthodontic clinic and dental residency program at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. He retired with over 20 years of service and opened his private orthodontic practice (Summerlin location) in Las Vegas in 2005.

Bachelor of Science Degree University of Detroit 1975 Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree University of Detroit 1979 3 year Orthodontic Specialty Certificate University of Kentucky 1997 Master of Science Degree University of Kentucky 1997 American Board of Orthodontics Diplomate 2004 Certified in Invisalign 1999

Associate Professor of General Dentistry, Department of Dental Materials, Department of Occlusion and Morphology at Michael Cardone Sr. School of Dentistry Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at David Grant USAF Medical Center Department of Orthodontics Chief at David Grant USAF Medical Center Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Michael OCallaghan USAF Hospital Department of Orthodontics Chief at Michael OCallaghan USAF Hospital Associate Professor Pediatric Dentistry at University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Nevada Dental Association Southern Nevada Dental Society American Dental Association American Association of Orthodontists American Board of Orthodontics Advisory Board Member Community College of Nevada Veterinary Technology

In addition to the use of traditional metal braces Dr. Welch also offers tooth colored brackets, gold brackets, low friction brackets, and clear aligners / Invisalign Certified. He has extensive experience with patients requiring jaw surgery with orthodontic treatment.

Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain. Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required treating dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. After your braces come off, youll feel more self-confident.

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Braces are less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patients mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. The patients diligent care and use of any prescribed treatment device is an important factor in achieving the most efficient outcome. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months and achieve dramatic improvement.

An orthodontist is a specialist who is a Doctor of General Dentistry and has additionally completed a two or three year advanced education program to learn the special skills required to skillfully manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

Treatment can be started at any age, but 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 visit an orthodontist by age seven or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist or the childs physician.

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, 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.

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 placement of 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.

No. It is recommended, however, that patients protect their smiles by wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sporting activity. Special mouth guards are available and should be worn by patients in braces. They are inexpensive, comfortable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.