Welcome to Fastbraces®, 20 years in the making
1987
Dr. Anthony Viazis (pronounced vee-ah-zee) enters the University of Minnesota
Graduate Orthodontic Residency Program and realizes that in order to straighten
teeth in about a year, the crown and root of the tooth must move simultaneously.
1989
Dr. Viazis joins the faculty of the University of Minnesota as Assistant
Professor, and begins to work with GAC International on the clinical application
of the new super elastic wires. The following year, he earns the "Teacher of
the Year" award, and moves to Dallas, Texas to join the faculty at Baylor College
of Dentistry.
1991
Dr. Viazis begins work on the prototype of a new type of brace that will
allow the super elastic wires to move the whole tooth in one stage.
1992
The first patients, Andy and Kelly, are fitted with the new braces in Dr.
Viazis’ private practice.
1993
The first clinical results are presented at the annual practice management
meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Viazis continues
to give presentations and seminars at University and Orthodontic societies
in the U.S., Europe and South America. Dr. Viazis publishes his first book.
It soon becomes a best-seller.
1994
The U.S. patent is issued on the orthodontic bracket that is now used at
Fastbraces®. Dr. Viazis joins the faculty of the University of Southern
California as Associate Professor and teaches his new system at the Graduate
Orthodontic Department. In the years to come, Dr. Viazis becomes a Visiting
Professor at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
…the orthodontic offices in the great state of Texas, where we straighten teeth
in about a year with our patented braces system. ![]() A seminar given by
Dr. Viazis.
1995
The first clinical and research results are published in the Journal of
Clinical Orthodontics in the United States and the Journal STOMA in Europe,
respectively. Dr. Viazis leaves academia to concentrate on his new braces system.
1996
The first Fastbraces® office opens in Plano, Texas. It offers braces
at about half the cost of the national average. Research at the University
of Southern California confirms Dr. Viazis initial observations. Dr. Viazis
makes numerous television appearances on local and national news programs.
1997
The second Fastbraces® location opens in Lewisville, Texas near Vista
Ridge Mall in the DFW area.
1998
The third and fourth Fastbraces® locations open in DFW. More confirmatory
research is announced from the University of Kuopio in Finland and the University
of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Dr. Viazis files an antitrust lawsuit against the American
Association of Orthodontists and other defendants in Federal Court.
1999
More research is published in Europe regarding the effectiveness of our
braces in the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Viazis receives the Brazilian
Orthodontic Medal Award, which is given annually to one orthodontist from around
the world for contributions to the advancement of orthodontics.
2000
More research is published in the U.S. regarding the effectiveness of our
braces in the American Journal of Orthodontics.
2001
The U.S. District Court acknowledges evidence of the
"unique and innovative" Viazis bracket: "To be sure, the record contains evidence
that the Viazis bracket may be a unique and innovative new type of orthodontic
device exceeding, in some senses, the quality level of competitive devices."
2002
Fastbraces® begins preparations for expansion beyond the Dallas/Fort Worth
area to the rest of Texas.
Dr. Alef Molina joins Fastbraces®. His background in the Restaurant Services
Industry and Management Operations will prove essential in coordinating the
operations of the various Fastbraces® locations.
2003
The fifth Fastbraces® office opens in Austin, Texas.
2004
The sixth Fastbraces® office opens in San Antonio, Texas. The seventh
and eighth Fastbraces® offices open in Houston, in The Woodlands and in
Sugarland.
2005
The ninth Fastbraces® office opens in Houston near Clearlake.
Dr. Angelo Viazis In Europe, the first international office of Fastbraces® is
opened in Athens, Greece, by the brother of the inventor, Dr. Evangelos
"Angelo" Viazis. A graduate of the University of Athens Dental School, Dr. Angelo
Viazis practiced general dentistry in the Greek Air Force and his private practice
for seven years before deciding to focus solely on orthodontics.
2006
The Fastbraces® Orthodontic Partnership of doctors is formed in Texas.
Dr. Jake Duong Dr. Jake Duong (pronounced
"young") becomes the first dentist partner to join Fastbraces®
after practicing general dentistry for five years. Within a year he is able
to make Houston a stronghold for Fastbraces® with its three locations. His
background in cosmetic dentistry and periodontics strengthened the foundation
of the company. Dr. Duong received his Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences
and Mathematics from the University of Alabama. He graduated from the University
of Alabama School of Dentistry where he completed an extra year of training
in Periodontics.
2007
Dr. Andrew McDaniel becomes the second dentist partner. In less than a year,
he establishes Austin as a dynamic location for Fastbraces® and sets San
Antonio on its growth curve.
Dr. McDaniel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Southern Methodist
University, his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Cornell University,
and his Dental Degree from the University of Kentucky. He served on active duty
as both a Naval Officer and Army Officer, and he practiced Dentistry for seven
years before deciding to focus on orthodontics only. The Purple Heart awarded
him during the Iraq War speaks to his character and leadership.
2008
Fastbraces® is strengthening its base in Texas as it prepares for its
national expansion. Office No 10 opens in South Austin, No 11 in South Dallas
in DeSoto, No 12 in West Houston, in Katy and No 13 in Fort Worth. Office No
14 is scheduled to open in Northwest Houston by Cypress, No 15 in the far North
Dallas suburb of McKinney, No 16 in East Dallas by Town East Mall in Mesquite,
and No 17 in Dallas by Northpark.
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