Dr. Mark Kurchak is not your average orthodontist. He is a board-certified specialist whose journey began in the molecular mysteries of biology and led him through the highest echelons of scientific research before arriving at the heart of early childhood orthodontics. His passion? Interceptive, myofunctional, and airway-focused care for children ages 3–10—using global wisdom, advanced technology, and a rare depth of insight to help your child breathe, grow, and smile with confidence for life.

Some doctors fix what’s broken. Dr. Kurchak prefers to guide what is growing. He believes—fiercely, joyfully—that it is far more elegant, far more natural, to help a child’s muscles, jaws, and airway develop in harmony than to untangle the complex malformations that arise when early imbalances are ignored.

This is not just a philosophy. It is a calling. It is why he has devoted his life to interceptive myofunctional orthodontics—the art and science of gently steering growth, rather than waiting for problems to calcify.

Dr. Kurchak’s journey is not a straight line. It is a tapestry, woven from the threads of curiosity, rigor, and a relentless drive to understand the “why” behind every smile.

University of Colorado, Boulder: Here, Dr. Kurchak immersed himself in the world of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Imagine a young mind, fascinated not just by what things are, but by how they become—how a single cell can blossom into a face, a jaw, a child’s unique expression.

Baylor College of Medicine: Most future orthodontists would have stopped there. Not Dr. Kurchak. He dove into virology and epidemiology, learning to see patterns, connections, and the subtle interplay between environment, health, and growth. This is not just academic trivia—it’s the foundation for understanding how airway, muscle, and bone interact in the real world.

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston: Only then did Dr. Kurchak turn his gaze to dentistry, earning his DDS and then completing a rigorous orthodontic residency. Here, he learned the clinical skills to match his scientific insight—combining the precision of a surgeon with the vision of a biologist.

What does this mean for your child?
It means Dr. Kurchak sees more. He sees the hidden causes behind crooked teeth, the silent habits that shape a face, the early signs of airway trouble that others might miss. He treats not just the symptom, but the system.

Some doctors read the journals. Dr. Kurchak writes in them.

Journal of Clinical Orthodontics: Sharing wisdom with peers, advancing the craft.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) & Nature: These are not just publications—they are the global stage for scientific breakthroughs. To be published here is to be recognized as a thinker whose work changes how we understand biology itself.

Journal of Veterinary Medicine: Even here, Dr. Kurchak’s curiosity led him to explore the principles of growth and health across species—because sometimes, the best insights come from unexpected places.

Why does this matter?
Because your child deserves a doctor who is not just a consumer of knowledge, but a creator of it. Someone who questions, tests, and refines—who brings the very latest, most effective ideas to the chairside.

Anyone can call themselves an orthodontist. Few become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

This is not a title handed out lightly. It requires hundreds of hours of extra study, the submission of real patient cases for peer review, and the passing of grueling written and clinical exams.

It is the gold standard—the Mark of a doctor who has proven, again and again, that their skill, judgment, and ethics are beyond reproach.

For you, the parent, this is peace of mind.
It means Dr. Kurchak’s care is not just good—it is exceptional, measured against the highest benchMarks in the field.

Dr. Kurchak’s patients benefit from a worldview that is rare among American orthodontists.

He has studied, collaborated, and learned from experts across continents—bringing home techniques and technologies (like bio-activators and Myobrace®) that are still new to many in the States.

He is a pioneer in airway orthodontics, using advanced CBCT imaging to see not just teeth, but the very passages that shape your child’s sleep, energy, and growth.

He works hand-in-hand with myofunctional therapists, addressing the root causes—muscle patterns, tongue posture, breathing habits—that underlie so many childhood orthodontic problems.

This is not just “braces.”
This is a holistic, proactive, and deeply personalized approach to your child’s development—one that can often prevent the need for extractions, headgear, or years of traditional orthodontics.

Dr. Kurchak’s journey—from the microcosm of the cell to the macrocosm of the growing child—culminates in a singular focus: Your child’s future.

He understands that a constricted airway, a misaligned bite, or a subtle muscular imbalance is not just a “dental issue.” It is a potential barrier to restful sleep, clear breathing, confident posture, and the full blossoming of your child’s potential.

His approach is gentle, intelligent, and effective—designed to intervene early, set the stage for lifelong health, and give your child a smile that radiates well-being.

Entrusting your child’s development to an orthodontist is a profound decision. Dr. Kurchak invites you to a conversation that goes beyond the surface—a chance to explore how his unique path and unwavering dedication can make a meaningful difference in your child’s life.

Come, let us discuss not just teeth, but the vibrant future we can help sculpt together.

• BSc, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology: University of Colorado, Boulder
• Graduate Studies, Virology & Epidemiology: Baylor College of Medicine
• DDS, Orthodontic Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Board Certification: American Board of Orthodontics (Diplomate)
• Research Publications: Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Nature, Journal of Veterinary Medicine
• Professional Memberships: American Association of Orthodontists, American Board of Orthodontics

He sees what others miss. With a scientist’s eye and a clinician’s hand, Dr. Kurchak detects the subtle signs of trouble before they become major problems.

He treats the whole child. Airway, posture, habits, and growth—all are part of the plan.

He is gentle, early, and effective. Many children avoid braces altogether with his approach.

He is a partner, not just a provider. Dr. Kurchak listens, explains, and walks with you every step of the way.