Best Orthodontists for Kids

TIE: Dr. Nick Salome, DDS, MSD and Dr. Kathleen McWhorter

We've toured the offices of enough orthodontists with their get-’em-in, move-'em-out office efficiencies, assembly-line rows of teen-sized dentist chairs, their branch offices and promotional T-shirts (the cha-ching of the cash register for this big-ticket expense always faintly audible) to know that Dr. Salome is in a class by himself. An academic who teaches as well as practices orthodontia, Dr. Salome communicates his genuine, unhurried, professional interest in your kid's welfare as well as how those pearly whites are arranged. A real breath of fresh air. Dr. McWhorter, or "Dr. Mac," as she is known, is more like a gust. Her breezy, friendly demeanor is contagious, and the entire office always appears to be having a blast – not an easy thing to fake when you're in the business of tightening metal bands on tots' and teens' teeth. But the patients have a good time, too, as they are treated with the same respect as their parents and clued in on the best ways to make their experience with braces as pain-free and efficient as possible. (Don't forget your rubber bands!) And Dr. Mac makes the process as pain-free for the folks, too, with a number of generous and flexible payment options.

Salome Orthodontics
6507 Jester, 512/527-9473
www.salomeorthodontics.com

McWhorter Orthodontics
1500 W. 38th #27, 512/452-8800
www.mcbraces.com