Meet Dr. Craig Hadgis: Your Expert in Radiant Smiles!

www.DrCraigOrtho.com

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A radiant, straight smile offers more than just a confidence boost. Local orthodontist Dr. Craig Hadgis recognizes this and strives to provide cutting-edge orthodontic treatment at affordable rates. At his practice, Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist, they aim to make every aspect of your experience enjoyable, ensuring you leave with a smile that shines bright.

Dr. Hadgis and his team achieve this by seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art orthodontic technology with a welcoming, personable environment to deliver outstanding orthodontic care to our community. They offer a range of innovative treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, from children experiencing their first orthodontic evaluation to adults seeking the perfect smile. 

After joining the practice in 2018, Dr. Hadgis has recently assumed full ownership of the business. He looks forward to many more years of continuing the exceptional care that has made his practice a beloved favorite in the community. With locations in both St. Augustine and St. Johns, Smiles by Dr Craig Hadgis Orthodontist ensures families have access to stunning smiles.

Recently, St. Johns Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with Dr. Hadgis to discover what sets his practice apart.

​Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist creates digital custom treatment plans for each patient in braces and Invisalign. Plus, their retainers are made and ready for the day braces are removed by digitally removing braces from 3D printed models. 
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How did you get started in orthodontics?
I was raised in a dental family. My father practiced 50 years as a comprehensive general dentist with many advanced accreditations in implants, crown, and bridge. Also, both grandfathers had dental lab experience with one owning one of the first in the Detroit area. I have an engineering background with a master’s in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan. This helps with problem solving for treatment planning and the mechanics of moving teeth. Also, I was fortunate to have a vast clinical experience at both dental school and orthodontic residency. I was honored to be awarded the top prosthodontic award (crown and bridge) and have a year of advanced education in general dentistry. I completed my education with a post doctorate certification in orthodontics and have been a Diplomate with the American Board of Orthodontics for the past 11 years (an honor held by only about 30% of orthodontists nationwide).  

What is the typical time frame for most patients?
From 5 months to one and half years

What cutting-edge technologies do you use? 
I use the latest digital oral scanning technology and was the first practice in Northeast Florida to embrace these updated slimmer and faster scanners. I use them in digital planning such as Invisalign, Insignia, custom Damon braces, LightForce 3D printed clear braces, and metal printed appliances. They have six 3D cameras in the capture wand, and it replaces goopy impressions with scans that take only two minutes. My 3D x-rays show not only the teeth but their placement in the bone so I can easily move them without fear of compromising the roots. Centering the teeth in the bone also provides a more stable finish. I create digital custom treatment plans for each patient in braces and Invisalign. Plus, our retainers are made and ready for the day braces are removed by digitally removing braces from 3D printed models. 

How does the use of the latest technology improve patient outcomes?
It increases efficiency and accuracy. It also helps with planning and fabrication of appliances such as braces, aligners, and metal printed expanders for a custom fit, and the accuracy of retainers which can be prepared immediately after removing braces. Orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all therapy. Everyone’s anatomy is different, and we have the tools to respond to and optimize those differences and create their best smile. 

What are some of the typical problems you see?
Overlapped and crowded teeth are the most frequent problem I see. In addition to the aesthetic reward of straight teeth, crowded teeth are more difficult to keep clean and since the teeth are out of place, the bite does not fit as it should, and wear becomes a problem over time. 

What are the most common treatments? 
Unraveling crowding can be done using braces or Invisalign so we tailor the treatment to the patient. Invisalign can be used on patients from age 7 to 80 and beyond so it is always an option in our hands. Because crowding is often a result of a narrow upper palate, we like to see children starting at Age 7 so if an expander is needed to make more room for the erupting teeth, we can get that heavy lifting done early and create a better environment for the permanent teeth to erupt in a much better position. We can accomplish all of that in just 6-9 months; That leaves less work to be done once all the teeth are in. When the teeth are closer to their final positions from the start, retention is easier as well. We encourage parents to bring their children for a complimentary evaluation once the permanent teeth begin to arrive around Age 7. Not everyone will need early intervention but for those who do, it can save the child from more complicated and sometimes invasive procedures down the road. 

How does Smiles by Dr. Craig Hadgis Orthodontist give back to the St. Johns community?
My practice has been in place now for over 40 years. I joined back in 2018 and am now sole owner of Smiles by Dr Craig Hadgis Orthodontist. As a local business and family, we feel it is our duty to give back to the communities we serve and do our best to support our patients and schools. We have given thousands of dollars in sponsorships and donations. We appreciate the community support we receive and enjoy seeing our patients and our schools thrive. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?
As a University of Michigan graduate, I do enjoy watching college sports. Anne and I have three small children, two girls and our boy just arrived on April 18! Other than helping my patients improve their smiles, there is no place I would rather be right now than with Anne and our children helping them grow! With three we are officially outnumbered and there is always a hilarious, imaginative, or magical moment to enjoy. ​