Meet Dr. Glenos & Dr. Hadgis of Smiles by Glenos & Hadgis Orthodontics

​For more information about Smiles by Glenos & Hadgis Orthodontics
please call 904-79- SMILE (797-6453).
or visit Smilesbghortho.com 
Offices at 111 Doctors Village Dr, St. Johns
22 St. Johns Medical Park Dr, St. Augustine 

​This month we are getting to know Dr. Jimmy Glenos and Dr.  Craig Hadgis of SMILES BY GLENOS & HADGIS ORTHODONTICS.   In business since the mid 1980s, this well respected St. Augustine Orthodontic practice has a new second office in northern St. Johns off Race Track Road  in Doctor’s Village, beside Memorial Emergency Center.

These board certified orthodontists  focus on creating beautiful, healthy smiles using the most state-of-the-art cost efficient approaches.  Their mission is simple: “Our primary goal is to provide the best possible orthodontic care and experience for all ages.”  

Where are you from?

Dr. Jimmy Glenos:  I was born and raised in Orlando, attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with Honors, and then attended the University of Florida School of Dentistry, receiving a Doctor of Dental Medicine.  I fell in love with St. Augustine when I moved here from Gainesville to practice family dentistry for a year while I awaited the start of my orthodontic residency specialty training at The University of Louisville.

Dr. Craig Hadgis:  I started off as a Michigander, born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. In the 1970s, my grandparents moved to Flagler Beach. Northeast Florida became a frequent vacation destination during my childhood. I was excited to move to northern Florida, when I was accepted into Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics.  My wife Anne and I are St. Augustine residents and have enjoyed making this area our home.
 
When did you begin practicing orthodontics?
Dr. Glenos:  I began providing specialized orthodontic treatment in St. Augustine area in 1984. After about ten years in St. Johns Medical Park, along US1, we built our "dream office" in the same medical park.  About two years ago, we opened a second state-of-the-art location in Doctors Village, along Race Track Road.
 
Dr. Hadgis:  After graduating from Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics in 2010, I have been fortunate to have a variety of clinical experiences and have focused on keeping up to date with the latest technologies in the orthodontic field. Dr. Glenos and I have been colleagues for several years. Now that we are in practice together, our goal is to provide exceptional care to patients throughout St. Johns County and many surrounding areas.

Why did you choose this profession? (How did you get your start)?

Dr. Glenos:   Sometimes, I believe it may have been preordained.  When I was fifteen years old, I fell in love with a girl who's first job was as an orthodontic technician. Understandably, at such a young age, it was a relatively brief but passionate relationship.

My junior year in college, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry.  Lo and behold, Karen and I reconnected and started dating again. We were married my senior year of dental school.

I enjoyed practicing family dentistry, but orthodontics was especially appealing because of the important impact one’s smile has on their everyday life. I truly believe that by straightening crowded and rotated teeth and improving the bite and smile, we are, in many cases, changing people's lives. It has to be one of the best jobs in the world!
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The only downside is that since Karen has been active in orthodontics longer than I, she sometimes thinks she is "the boss." But that's ok and probably true for most marriages..right?
 
Dr. Hadgis:  My family comes from a dental background. My grandfather was a dental lab technician and my father is a practicing dentist in Michigan. My father is passionate about practicing dentistry and raised my brothers and I to find our own passion in life, so our careers would not feel like “just a job.”
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Solving puzzles and mathematics came easily to me growing up, which is the reason I initially chose to become an engineer. While earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Michigan, I learned about the connections between medicine, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and orthopedics. Inspired by these connections and building on my engineering degrees, I chose to specialize in orthodontics in order to help people by making a positive impact in their lives in a visible way. I find that having a master’s degree in biomedical engineering provides me with a unique perspective in evaluating, planning, and carrying out treatment plans in both simple and complex cases.

Dr. Jimmy Glenos & Dr. Craig Hadgis with their extraordinary team in the St. Johns office along Race Track Rd.

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What is the most common misunderstanding about orthodontics?

Dr. Glenos:  A common misconception has been to consider orthodontic treatment as an expensive luxury.  Today, orthodontic treatment is a relatively modest investment compared to other things - including dental expenses for crowns, implants or cosmetic dentistry and the benefits of orthodontic corrections are outstanding. Not only in one's appearance but in the health of the dentition as one ages.
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Most recently, a new misconception is being promoted by companies offering DIY "do it yourself" orthodontic treatment. Unsupervised tooth movement is dangerous with a high potential risk of damage to the teeth, the bone support (tooth loss), jaw joint issues and failure of any improvement due to relapse. Reports are surfacing that this is happening often and, unfortunately, the patient or parents, end up paying for treatment twice. If they have orthodontic insurance and the benefits were used during the DIY treatment, the patient is stuck with depleted benefits.
 
Dr. Hadgis:  Many people are not aware that to become an orthodontic specialist requires acceptance into an accredited full-time residency program which involves 2-3 additional years of dedicated orthodontic training after dental school. Further, each case requires a thorough analysis by the orthodontic specialist to achieve the best outcome for the patient in terms of a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.
  
What are some of the greatest successes you have had for patients?

Dr. Glenos:  We see amazing new smiles completed every day. Personally, the most rewarding ones are when the patient first looks in the mirror and the tears of joy begin to flow. Clinically, I am most proud of the cases that have been planned since age 6-7 where we have timed simple procedures that result in the teeth growing in so nice that very little time in appliances is required to make them perfect.
 
Dr. Hadgis:  I’m very pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to help improve so many patients’ health and self-esteem. Further, many patients, both children and adults alike, have reported improved sleep as a result of orthodontic treatment.
 
What sets your offices apart from other orthodontic offices?

Dr. Glenos:  Besides offering the latest orthodontic equipment like digital scanning and ultra-low dose 3D radiography, and the finest office environments, I believe the most valuable attributes are our outstanding team who treat everyone like family, and the fact that every proposed treatment is carefully planned and executed by Board Certified orthodontic specialists.  
 
Dr. Hadgis:  Both Dr. Glenos and I are diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. Only 1 in 3 orthodontists take the extra time and effort necessary to achieve this distinction. We are one of the few orthodontic practices in the country offering Insignia which is individualized custom brackets and wires made specifically for each patient from digital 3D oral scans which replace goopy impressions, and from 3D digital x-rays replacing higher radiation film x-rays. We also pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service from our entire team.
  
What technology is used to determine treatment plans for your patients?

Dr. Glenos:  Complete orthodontic records consist of properly taken digital photos, a 3D digital scan, a digital cephalometric film (enabling us to measure the relationship of the upper and lower jaws to one another and the angulations of the teeth to the jaws) and a digital panoramic x-ray. In some cases where custom designed appliances may be desired, the final occlusion can be planned digitally and viewed on the computer. 
 
Dr. Hadgis:  We stay at the leading edge as technology in the orthodontic field advances rapidly. We offer digital treatment planning with technologies such as Invisalign (custom 3D planned clear aligners) and Insignia (custom braces and wires) to properly align teeth.
 
What do you like to do in your spare time?

Dr. Glenos:  I'm an outdoorsman. I enjoy sportfishing, diving, kiteboarding, water skiing, hunting, and many other outdoor activities. I also enjoy traveling and shopping with "the boss."
 
Dr. Hadgis:  I most enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy exercising, biking, golfing, snow skiing, and following professional and college sports.