By
Meredith
Knight | Photos by
Kelley Sweet
Photography
There’s a saying around the office of Hanis &
Proft Orthodontics — Every Smile Counts. Drs. Shad Hanis and Bailey Proft,
and their stellar staff understand no two smiles are exactly alike. You may
have teeth that stick out or teeth that crowd together. You may have spaces
between your teeth or teeth that are misaligned in such a way to cause you
jaw pain and headaches. No matter how your teeth are currently positioned, if
you have trouble chewing, get headaches when you eat, or are embarrassed by
your smile, they want you to know orthodontic treatment can help.
Braces at
Any Age
That sentiment is true no matter how old you
are. In fact, one of the Hanis & Proft team’s favorite patients is 84
years young. “Orthodontics is about function,” Dr. Hanis explained. “It’s
about keeping your teeth throughout your life, alleviating pain, and boosting
your confidence because you love your new smile. It doesn’t matter if you’re
a preteen or a senior.”
With the advent of Invisalign Clear Tooth
Aligners, Dr. Hanis and Proft are helping patients of all ages achieve the
results they want without traditional brackets and wires on their teeth. And
because a busy professional — or a busy retiree for that matter — doesn’t
have time for frequent orthodontics check-ups, care can be conducted and
monitored remotely, meaning fewer office visits. Properly aligned teeth are
easier to keep clean too, decreasing the chances of cavities and gum disease.
So, if you grew up thinking braces are just for preteens, think
again.
Don’t Wait
— Evaluate
Many parents wait for their family dentist to
recommend their child have an orthodontic consultation. But Dr. Hanis warns
against waiting. “There’s no need for a referral to see an orthodontist,” he
said. “It’s recommended that children be evaluated by age seven to see
whether early intervention is needed.” This early intervention is about
making sure the jaw is developing properly, airways are clear, and teeth are
coming in the way they should. The consultation is free and if work isn’t
needed, none will be recommended. But if early intervention is indicated, it
often means less aggressive treatment than if you wait until 12 or
13.
Braces at the Right Time
The right time for braces is different for
everyone. Your seven or eight-year-old may need intervention now because they
have an overbite, cross bite, or not enough room for their teeth to emerge.
At the same time, their 12 or 13-year-old sibling might be better waiting
until all their permanent teeth have grown in. Some other children will
benefit from two phases of treatment. And adults are ready whenever they
decide they want straight, fully functioning teeth. There’s never a bad time
to have a
spectacular smile.
Board
Certification Makes a Difference
While only one in three orthodontists have
board certification, both Dr Hanis and Dr. Proft are board certified from the
American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). To earn certification, an orthodontist
must complete hundreds of extra hours of study and training. Next, they must
prove (through testing) that they have the skills, knowledge, and expert
judgment to provide premium patient care. And they have to complete annual
continuing education hours, as dictated by the ABO, and annual
recertification. Together they have successfully treated over 2,500 patients
with Invisalign Clear Aligners earning Hanis & Proft Orthodontics a
Top 1% Diamond+ Provider Status based upon experience, skill, and success
with the clear aligners.
Meet Dr.
Hanis
Shad Hanis was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
while his parents were in graduate school at the University of Michigan. The
family soon relocated to Houston, where Shad attended Westbury High School
then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Brigham Young
University and his DDS from University of Texas Dental
Branch.
He was blessed to serve a two-year mission
for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Campinas, Brazil,
where he became fluent in Portuguese. Shad is a proud Eagle Scout, an Omicron
Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society Member, and a Diplomate of the American
Board of Orthodontics and strives to live a life worthy of these
honors.
Dr. Hanis married his college sweetheart,
Amy. The two are parents to five beautiful children, Hailey, Zach, Chloe,
Molly, and Ellie now in 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th grade and a sophomore at BYU. He
enjoys bike riding, skiing, fishing, photography, swimming, and coaching his
kids’ sports teams. “I feel blessed to live and practice in Katy,” he said.
“I’m grateful to be a part of the lives of so many wonderful local
families.”
Meet Dr.
Proft
Originally
from West Hartford, Connecticut, Bailey Proft wanted to work in the dental
field for as long as she can remember. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in
biological psychology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester,
Massachusetts, her DMD from University of Connecticut, and completed an
orthodontic residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston. When not in the office, she enjoys cycling, exploring new
neighborhoods, spending time with friends, and traveling to the Northeast to
visit family. “I’m grateful to share in other’s happiness through crafting
beautiful, healthy smiles,” she said. “I strive to make every patient feel
like family and to provide a comfortable, fun experience throughout their
orthodontic treatment.”
New Smile
New You
“We want you
to know your smile is important to us,” Dr. Proft said. “Our office is
passionate about changing lives one smile at a time. We want to work closely
with you every step of the way to ensure you love the changes you see and
leave us with a beautiful, fully functioning smile.” Find out more and meet
this friendly team of orthodontic professionals at EverySmileCounts.com
or call (281) 693-1333
to schedule your free initial consultation.
CONTACT
2830
Commercial Center Boulevard, Suite 101
Katy, Texas
77494
