Houston’s Family Orthodontist
Welcome to Magness Orthodontics. It’s such an honor that you have chosen our practice, and I look forward to working with you and your family. I love working with people of all ages and seeing how a beautiful smile can make such a big difference in my patients’ lives. As your orthodontist, it is my goal to provide you with an exceptional orthodontic experience, one that leaves you smiling for many years to come.I began my orthodontic career by earning my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and my Master’s Degree in orthodontics from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. I focused most of my graduate training on providing passive expansion for young patients. Passive Expansion is the natural and gradual expansion of a narrow pallet to allow for crooked teeth to align more naturally. I became a board certified orthodontist after completing my education.While I have completed all of the educational requirements and training necessary to become an orthodontist, I continue to pursue educational opportunities through continuing education. Orthodontics is always changing and advancing with new technology and treatment procedures. I like to stay current with the latest orthodontic advancements in order to ensure that my patients receive the most up-to-date treatments.
Professional Affiliations:
- Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southwestern Society of Orthodontists
- Alumni Association of the University of Texas Dental Branch – Department of Orthodontics
- American Dental Association
- Texas Dental Association
- Greater Houston Dental Society
- Texas Orthodontic Study Club
- Spring Branch ISD Good Neighbor
I am also proud to have served as the President of the Century Club of the University of Texas Orthodontic Department, and as the President of the University of Texas Orthodontic Alumni Association. Both of these organizations promote the pursuit of excellence in orthodontics, and explore the future advances that impact orthodontic treatments. I enjoy what I do as an orthodontist, and I love being involved in the orthodontic community. My work in orthodontics has given me so many wonderful opportunities to learn and grow in my profession, and I have had the chance to work with some great people. I was honored to be named “Super Dentist (in orthodontics)” by Texas Monthly magazine due to my contributions to the orthodontic profession.
Our second generation practice history as told by founder Dr. Bonham Magness…
My grandfather, Dr. J. C. Magness was a long time physician in Honey Grove, Texas; but my father, W. Bonham Magness, Sr. and his 4 brothers were evidently never encouraged to go to college. Dad once mentioned to me at an early age he had always thought he would like to have been a dentist and it must have stuck in my mind.
In the 9th grade I decided that I wanted to be a dentist and took all pre-dental courses in college which allowed me to get into dental school in 2 years rather than the common 4 years. Four years of Dental School was followed by 2 years as a dentist in the U.S.A.F. I was then accepted into the 2 year old Graduate Orthodontic program at the University of Texas School of Dentistry-Houston.
Upon graduation the founder and chairman of the program, Dr. A. P. Westfall, requested that I stay on as a part time Associate Professor. I promised him 2 years, but 54 years later I am still on the faculty, having been a Full Professor for the last 20+ years. It has been a thrill for me to have had an impact on over 300 orthodontic residents of the program. In 1974, I had the honor of being selected by the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists to serve as a Director of the prestigious American Board of Orthodontists, serving as its president in 1981.
It really did not surprise me when my son Marc decided to become a dentist and then pursue a path in graduate orthodontics at the University of Texas -Houston. He always had a studious, inquisitive mind and excellent “hands”, loving to build difficult model air planes to perfection. He has used these talents in all his orthodontics cases. He has also followed my footsteps in serving as president of the University of Texas Orthodontic Alumni Association.
When I started my orthodontic practice in 1960, there were no full time orthodontists in the Spring Branch-Memorial area and just a few general dentists. The only medical-dentistry facility was on Long Point Road near the now closed Spring Branch Hospital. Gessner Road and Memorial City were non-existent. Many friends thought that I was “out of my mind” to start a practice so far west out in the “country”. In 1974 after Gessner Road was completed and the Memorial City Medical complex had been started, I moved to the current location at 902 Frostwood -Suite 300. To my delight, Dr. Marc joined me in the practice in 1999. I have enjoyed my part time practice with him, especially when a mother comes in with her youngsters and reminds me that her teeth which still look so good now are the result of Magness Orthodontics many years ago.