Buchanan Orthodontics

For Dr. Jennifer Buchanan, orthodontics is about form and function — oh, and gorgeous smiles. Over her 29 years as a top McKinney orthodontist, she’s come to realize that crooked, misaligned teeth aren’t always the problem but often the result of an underlying issue. It might be genetics, environment, diet, bad habits, or undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing. For her, straightening teeth is about lifelong wellness and vitality and smiles that are as healthy as they are beautiful.

“When someone has crooked teeth, there’s something causing that condition,” Dr. Buchanan said. “Orthodontists are like detectives, searching out and diagnosing the root condition and then looking for ways to correct it.”

Here’s why: Medical science has linked proper breathing directly to proper sleep. And proper sleep is absolutely vital to wellness. That’s why Dr. Buchanan undertakes extensive diagnostic testing on every patient, including 3D iCat CT scans to determine the function — or dysfunction — of their airways. “The 3D iCat CT scan is something not even most ENTs perform,” she said.

It might seem cute when your young child snores, but Dr. Buchanan understands it’s actually a sign they’re not able to breathe the way they should, and because they can’t, they’re not getting the REM sleep they require to grow and thrive, pay attention at school, and develop the way they’re meant to. In fact, sleep-disordered breathing can negatively impact your child’s health in multiple ways.

“If your teeth or your child’s teeth are crowded or collapsing, you’re not breathing right,” Dr. Buchanan said. “It’s also harder to keep them clean, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease which can lead directly to conditions throughout the body including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and some cancers.”

Now for the good news. By addressing the root cause of the problem — misaligned teeth and jaws — sleep-disordered breathing can be corrected, and its negative effects avoided no matter the patient’s age. And it can happen non-surgically and without the use of a CPAP machine.

“A CPAP machine only corrects nighttime breathing,” Dr. Buchanan said. “But you’re losing oxygen during the day as well. By moving the jaw into proper alignment with braces or tooth aligners, we can non-invasively correct the problem, so you breathe right day and night and get the sleep required for good health.”

That goes a long way toward explaining why 30% of Dr. Buchanan’s patients are now adults. “This technology works with the body’s natural healing process — instead of fighting against it — providing a gentle but effective treatment,” Dr. Buchanan said. “Not only do these cutting-edge technologies allow me to provide my patients with gorgeous, fully functioning smiles, but for my patients who experience snoring and sleep apnea, it can help them get significantly better sleep in just a few months.”

Consider a case Dr. Buchanan treated with Damon Braces. The patient was told she would need four teeth extracted to correct her bite. Thanks to the Damon Braces technology that Dr. Buchanan utilized, a less-invasive non-extraction plan was accomplished, preventing pain and reducing the need for extractions. Her case was completed in 18 months.

Dr. Buchanan also offers clear Spark Aligners for patients of any age. Designed with a unique material that evenly contacts the tooth surface, Spark Aligners ensure better tooth movement with a targeted approach that combines with data from 3D imaging, allowing for more effective and efficient treatment. And because they’re virtually invisible, nobody has to know you’re undergoing treatment.

Spark Aligners require fewer office visits compared to traditional braces. They’re more comfortable than traditional braces without any of the soreness because tooth movement is gentler and more gradual. And there’s no need to avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods or hot or cold drinks. Simply pop out your Spark Aligners to eat and pop them back in when you’re done. “And the material is completely stain-resistant,” Dr. Buchanan said.

For 29 years, Dr. Jennifer Buchanan has transformed the lives of her McKinney neighbors not just by offering gorgeous, fully functioning smiles but through charities she has founded. Her Shoes for Smiles back-to-school shoe drive assures McKinney-area children return to school with new shoes each year and her SMILES Charity helps provide mortgage-free homes to wounded U.S. veterans.

Throughout the school year, Dr. Buchanan visits area schools to talk to students about the importance of dental hygiene. She sometimes even dresses as the tooth fairy. “I want kids to understand that their mouth is the window to the rest of their health and to establish healthy habits now that will last a lifetime,” she said.

It’s no wonder Dr. Buchanan received the 2022 Great Texan Award for her dedication and service to the Boys and Girls Club for whom she also organizes toy drives, dental health education, and other fundraisers.

She also relishes the chance to mentor younger female dentists struggling to juggle their practice and their home life, and she loves speaking to high school and college students considering a dental career. “This is a wonderful profession that’s changing and advancing all the time, and it allows for the flexibility you need when you have a young family,” she said.

Find out more and schedule your free consultation at MckinneyBraces.com or text or call (972) 542-4412. Ask about early-morning and evening appointments for your convenience.