03/2012 Orthodontic Practice - I-Cat

PRACTICE PROFILE
Dr. Juan-Carlos Quintero
Aligned with excellence
Team Quintero: Niña, Gloria, Loly, Maggie, Lily, Natalie, Meylin, Osiris, and Grace
What can you tell us about your
background?
What
training
undertaken?
have
you
Son of an ophthalmologist, I come from a
pretty diverse cultural background, being
raised partially in South America and
partially in North America. I quickly learned
that the world is a very diverse place,
requiring the ability to adapt to changing
environments and different ways of living.
I think I am the epitome of the multicultural
American citizen in modern U.S. society.
Besides my traditional residency program,
I’ve taken The Ron Roth Course, The
Andrews course, The Roncone course
and most of The Pankey courses in Key
Biscayne, Florida. Of course I maintain
current ongoing continuing education
meetings such as the AAO.
Why did you decide to focus on
orthodontics?
Intellectually, it was the most stimulating
of the dental specialties for me. I think it
was also a personality-driven decision. I
love engaging with many different types of
people and clinical challenges in a single
day. It’s like every patient is his/her own
little challenge and television series with a
new episode every 6 to 8 weeks. I think
every orthodontist can relate to this. The
only problem is my gas tank is pretty empty
come 6 o’clock.
How long have you been
practicing, and what systems do
you use?
I graduated from the University of California
at San Francisco ortho in 1998 so I’ve been
in practice now for about 15 years. I use
a combination of many different systems,
but mostly the fixed straightwire appliance.
We know appliances don’t move teeth;
orthodontists move teeth. Some systems
are more efficient than others.
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am really fortunate. Of course, making a
noticeable difference in people’s lives is
such an unbelievable honor. Recently,
rediscovering orthodontics through the
eyes of CBCT (i-CAT®, Imaging Sciences
International) is right up there on the list,
too. It has allowed me to slow down and
really “see” my patients and get to know
them better, anatomically and behaviorally.
CBCT has made practicing orthodontics
more satisfying because I feel I am helping
my patients more as I see more, and know
more. My growing interest in airways and
airway-driven treatment planning has
brought a whole new level of excitement to
my job and a more profound service to my
patients.
Professionally, what are you most
proud of?
Who has inspired you?
My father mostly, and then my orthodontic
mentors such as Dr. Ron Roth, Dr. Larry
Andrews, and Dr. Ron Roncone.
What is the most satisfying aspect
of your practice?
Although it sounds a bit cliché, the personal
interactions with patients from all walks
of life, especially in a place like Miami. I
There have been many things from
publications, lecturing, organized dentistry,
and teaching. But most of all, I am proud
of my commitment to always do what’s
best for my patients, despite challenging
forces such as increased competition,
managed care, changing trends in the
delivery of orthodontics, and corporate
entities wanting to intervene in how we
treat patients. Most patients aren’t dentists
and don’t know any better. I think it is really
about always treating patients with dignity
and with their best interest in mind.
What do you think is unique about
your practice?
I think it’s a very high tech/high touch
practice. Technology has always been a
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PRACTICE PROFILE
Maintain an unparalleled
commitment to
excellence and constant
improvement. Our
practice motto and our
mantra is “Align yourself
in excellence.”
big part of my practice. But I have never in
my career witnessed such an astounding
breakthrough in our field as what we
are experiencing now through CBCT
technology. As a result, I am treatment
planning very differently now. We’ve
reverted back to a two-step consult. We
have the patient return back for a second
treatment conference visit, and our
conversions are above 90%. I was taught,
and for many years, I treatment planned
from the outside in. I looked at the face,
the smile, and then slowly worked my way
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inward towards the teeth, gums, bone, etc.
Now, I do the exact opposite: In order, I start
with the airway, the paryngeal airspaces,
sinuses, TMJs, skeletal relations, alveolus,
root health, then move on to the pretty little
white things we call “teeth.” This is pretty
unique compared to how I used to practice
using traditional 2D imaging.
someone asks you to give a presentation
or write an article, but there are only so
many hours in a day. Running a busy
practice, raising a family, teaching, and
being involved in the community is a lot of
fun but very time consuming.
What has been your biggest
challenge?
It’s hard to imagine being anything other
than an orthodontist. But I think if I had the
talent, I would have become a professional
musician or electronic DJ. I love music,
I would say my biggest challenge has been
learning to say “no.” It’s an honor when
What would you have become if
you had not become a dentist?
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PRACTICE PROFILE
Dr. Quintero’s family — (Top) wife Tessie, Maya, and Dr. Quintero.
(Bottom left to right) Sebastian and Lucas
it’s actually a big part of our practice, and
patients ask me all the time about our
music selection, which I carefully select. I
particularly like the piano; the only problem
is I was never very good at playing it.
What is the future of orthodontics
and dentistry?
Of course, computerized dentistry and
virtual treatment planning is the trend. The
dentist or orthodontist of the future will be
the most computer savvy one. As CBCT
machines, intraoral scanners, and 3D
imaging software continue to evolve, they
will replace panos and cephs, impressions,
and human errors. Look for continued
individual customization of orthodontic
delivery systems such as SureSmile™
(OraMetrix) and Insignia™ (Ormco) using
accurate root information derived from
CBCT and Anatomodels™ (Anatomage).
What are your top tips for
maintaining
a
successful
practice?
It’s relatively easy to be successful and
make a comfortable living as an orthodontist
in due time. But complacency is a
dangerous thing. I would say don’t get too
comfortable with your success. Maintain
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an unparalleled commitment to excellence
and constant improvement. Our practice
motto and our mantra is “Align yourself in
excellence.” Offer the best treatment, the
best equipment, the best technology, the
best staff, the best facility, the best patient
experience, and charge for it!
What advice would you give to
budding orthodontists?
It’s so hard coming out of school now
because of the mountain-size debt most
graduates encounter. But be patient, focus
on gaining valuable experience first, and a
good salary second. Question everything
you think you know, and get ready to really
learn. Dr. Ron Roth used to tell me, “Don’t
focus on the dollar sign.” Dr. Lindsey
Pankey used to tell me, “If the money is
in your heart, they’ll see it in your eyes.”
My father used to tell me, “If you’re good
at what you do, the money will come.” All
three were right on target – best advice!
gym, come back, and “juice” using freshly
picked produce from my organic vegetable
garden to help fuel my 80-patient per day
schedule. Weekends, I enjoy nature walks,
photography, and an occasional scenic
ride through the Everglades with the kids
in our new, prized orange Jeep named
Orange Steam. OP
TOP 10 FAVORITES:
1. My family
2. My patients
3. InVivoDental from Anatomage
4. AnatoModels from Anatomage
5.I-CAT® 3D cone beam imaging from Imaging
Sciences International
6. My music collection
7. My organic vegetable garden
8. Movie nights with my kids
What are your hobbies, and what
do you do in your spare time?
Lately, it seems that raising three young,
beautiful kids takes every bit of free time
and energy. But a perfect weekday for
me begins at 4:30 a.m. — I go to the
9. My new orange Jeep Wrangler
10.AirFloss from Phillips/Sonicare
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