About Dr. Ingraham

Richard L. Ingraham, DDS, MS, PA, a specialist in the field of orthodontics, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a distinction accorded only 25% of American orthodontists after a rigorous examination process.

Dr. Ingraham completed his undergraduate degree in his home state at the University of Arizona. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Orthodontics from the University of Missouri—Kansas City Dental School, two of the most prestigious colleges of dentistry in the nation. He served in the United States Navy as a general dentist in Rota, Spain, and was a member of the teaching faculty in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Missouri - Kansas City Dental School prior to establishing his private practice in orthodontics in Corpus Christi in 1974. Dr. Ingraham has completed five state board examinations and is licensed to practice dentistry in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Missouri and Kansas.

Active in professional and civic organizations, Dr. Ingraham is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Orthodontists and is on the Cleft Palate Team at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. He is the past president of the Nueces Valley District Dental Society and an alumnus of Leadership Corpus Christi.

Dr. Ingraham’s orthodontic treatment philosophy is patient-centered, with careful consideration given to the unique, individual characteristics of each patient. It’s very important to Dr. Ingraham that his patients enjoy their orthodontic experience and benefit from a great smile when treatment is finished. That’s why he’s so pleased to be one of only 58 doctors in the world using SureSmile technology to straighten teeth. SureSmile technology uses 3-D diagnostic imaging, computer-aided treatment planning, shape memory alloy archwires and robotic customization to provide shorter treatment times, less overall discomfort and fewer office visits.

Dr. Ingraham and his wife, Jo, have one daughter, Heather, and three grandchildren. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys the cultural heritage of South Texas and the Southwest. He loves to fish and spend time on the beautiful Gulf waters. Dr. Ingraham and his wife are members of First Baptist Church, where he teaches an adult class and serves in various capacities of leadership. Dr. Ingraham loves people and is passionate about orthodontics and the opportunity his profession provides him to create beautiful smiles.

Why Dr. Ingraham?

Dr. Ingraham’s orthodontic practice is unique because of: 

• 200+ Years of Experience - Our caring, professional staff members have more than 200 collective years of experience in orthodontic service. Our staff is committed to learning and innovating through continuing education and to showing each and every patient how special he or she is. Our phone is always answered by an experienced professional who is immediately available to help schedule an appointment or answer any questions you have about your treatment.
• Individualized Treatment Timing – Dr. Ingraham will treat your child at his or her optimal starting point, based on growth patterns and development, not from a pre-determined chronological age criteria.
• Shorter Treatment Time – We use SureSmile and Damon treatment systems, assuring that your comfort will be optimal and your overall treatment time will be reduced significantly. These systems, which use light active force, also make your treatment hassle-free, with less discomfort and fewer, flexible appointments.
• Non-Extraction Technique – Dr. Ingraham knows that nothing can take the place of your natural teeth. That’s why he strives to preserve the integrity of your smile and improve your profile with techniques that use extraction only as a last resort.
• Experience With Adult Treatment – Dr. Ingraham is one of the most experienced  pre-prosthetic and adult treatment practitioners in the Southwest. He is expert at resolving periodontal issues and integrating surgical solutions to achieve an ideal smile.
• Cutting Edge Technology – Dr. Ingraham offers the very latest in treatment appliances, such as the Damon System and SureSmile technology. He believes in using the most up-to-date technology and the least invasive treatment possible.
• On-Site Lab – Our in-house lab expedites delivery of retainers and other appliances. This also means that if you lose or damage an appliance, a new one can be made quickly, ensuring that your treatment isn’t delayed.
• Convenient Office Hours – To accommodate working patients and parents, our office maintains early morning office hours. We’re also open on school holidays and most major holidays.
• Insurance Processing – We accept assignment of benefits from most major insurance carriers, and we’ll do the paperwork for you, ensuring that you are freed from continually filling out reimbursement forms.

How to Choose An Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional two-year residency program to specialize in the study, prevention and correction of irregularities in tooth and jaw relationships and deformities of the face.

Orthodontists have traditionally been concerned with the correction of improper tooth alignment and the bite (called occlusion), primarily by affecting tooth movement. New techniques and a better understanding of growth and development have given us the ability to also modify poor skeletal and neuromuscular growth.

We know that choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment is a big step and a life-changing choice. You’ll be entrusting someone with your or your child’s smile and oral health, and you’ll be committing a great deal of time and effort to the treatment. That’s why it so important that you choose a doctor and staff with whom you feel comfortable.

As you begin the process of improving your smile, a couple of important questions to keep in mind are:

1. Why should I choose one orthodontist over another?
2. What information can I gather that will help me evaluate my needs and help me make my choice?

We’re concerned that your choice of orthodontist and office be right for you; therefore, we offer the following information that may help you decide who will be best to journey with you toward your new smile. These are a few of the questions you should ask each orthodontist you interview, along with our answers ...

Can you reduce the length of treatment and, at the same, time, improve the quality of care?

Yes! Treatment times vary from one doctor to the next for many reasons. One of the most important is the orthodontist’s accuracy in positioning the braces on your teeth. Correct positioning of braces on the individual teeth affects treatment time, quality of the results and also affects the chances of relapse.

We use an extremely precise, customized technique for orienting braces onto your teeth. For most patients, we can reduce treatment time from 18-24 months to as little as 9-18 months.

Should I know what schooling an orthodontist has undergone?

All orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone at least 2-3 years, sometimes more, of rigorous, specialized training at a recognized and accredited dental school.

How do I know my teeth are straight before my braces are removed?

Teeth meet at specific points called contact points. The back teeth have to join each other with their specific heights, called the marginal ridge points, properly matched. The accurate alignment of the marginal ridges and the contact points is the key to excellent orthodontic treatment. You may not be able to see this alignment, but your orthodontist, dentist or dental hygienist can. Any of these professionals should be willing to check and assure you that your teeth are properly aligned before your braces are removed.

If my teeth aren’t aligned as they’re supposed to be, then what happens?

If contact points and marginal ridges aren’t aligned properly, then you may experience ...

1. Food impaction between teeth
2. Jaw shift/slide, causing muscle pain or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ/TMD)
3. Periodontal problems
4. Irregular wearing of teeth
5. Discomfort during biting
6. Crowding of lower teeth

What is Phase I Early Treatment, and how do you decide if it is indicated for my child?

It’s always wise to seek a second opinion if an orthodontist has recommended Phase I Treatment for your child. The advantage of early treatment for your child’s orthodontic problems is that treatment can be timed to take advantage of your child’s growth patterns. This will make treatment easier and more successful. Phase I Treatment can be divided in two categories ...

1. Necessary Phase I Orthodontic Treatment – Also known as interceptive treatment, Necessary Phase I Treatment is recommended for conditions that may cause damage to tissue, teeth, bones or joints or cause pain or discomfort. This treatment is also indicated to correct aesthetic conditions that may affect the self-esteem of the child and, in cases where dental arches need to be expanded, to allow space for eruption of permanent teeth.
2. Optional/Elective Phase I Orthodontic Treatment – This treatment addresses aesthetic conditions that may be postponed until your child’s dentition has fully developed. Optional treatment may involve additional cost and additional visits to the office. Each child’s unique concerns must be considered by the parent in conjunction with the orthodontist in determining whether this optional treatment is needed early. Consideration must be given to the possibility that, if the child experiences treatment burn-out or exhaustion, later treatment may be compromised by non-compliance.

When is the appropriate time to begin full orthodontic treatment?

For most children, the optimum time to begin full treatment is after all the primary (baby) teeth have been lost and permanent teeth have erupted. Beginning treatment while primary teeth are still present may result in longer treatment times and less efficiency of braces. There are exceptions to this but always get a second opinion if treatment is recommended for your child before all her/his permanent teeth have erupted.

Is it important that my orthodontist place the braces on my teeth? Will the accuracy of placement affect my teeth and treatment?

One of the most important factors in the success of your treatment is the accurate placement of braces on the teeth. Your braces serve as the mechanism that directs the movement of your teeth in all dimensions. Placement affects the length of treatment, the quality of results and also whether or not your new smile stays straight and healthy (relapse). Because of the accuracy required and the possible consequences, only your orthodontist should place the braces on your teeth. Improperly positioned braces may result in ...

1. Uncomfortable chewing
2. Food impaction
3. TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular, or jaw, joint dysfunction)
4. Headaches
5. Uncomfortable shifting of jaws
6. Periodontal disease
7. Unstable orthodontic results
8. High probability of relapse
9. Trauma to teeth

Are extractions necessary in orthodontics?

In the past, extractions were frequently used in orthodontic treatment. Today, orthodontists recognize that doing everything possible to help their patients keep their natural teeth is the best treatment. While there are still instances in which extraction cannot be avoided, it’s best to seek a second opinion if an orthodontist recommends extraction as part of a treatment plan.

What retainer is best for long-term stability?

Orthodontic treatment isn’t permanent without the patient’s continued diligence. Even with the best, most expert treatment, teeth tend to return to their original positions. Without the use of a retainer, your beautiful, new alignment will slowly be lost.

Removable retainers are frequently lost or not utilized properly, which can lead to relapse. We use fixed bonded retainers, because we believe this is the best method of maintaining the alignment of your new smile. This retainer can remain in place indefinitely, assuring that your teeth remain in place for life. However, a fixed bonded retainer should only be inserted if your results are ideal.