A lot can change in 54 years, and what a ride it’s been!
Since our story began in 1972, Nth Degree Orthodontics has grown from a single orthodontic practice into a team serving families across six Upstate South Carolina locations.
We’ve changed names, welcomed new doctors, opened new offices, embraced some pretty incredible technology, and created more smiles than we could ever count.
But through every chapter, one thing has stayed the same: we love what we do, and we love the people we get to do it for.
That same warmth, hospitality, and commitment to an exceptional orthodontic experience have been part of our practice for generations.
Recently, Brand Spirit, our promotional products partner for more than 10 years, took a look back at our evolution and the role consistency has played in building the Nth Degree brand.
Read Brand Spirit’s feature, “54 Years, One Brand: How Nth Degree Orthodontics Built Loyalty with Consistency“.
It All Started in 1972
Let’s take it back to where it all began.
Dr. Phil Higginbotham opened The Brace Place in 1972, kicking off a story that would continue growing for more than five decades.
In 1999, Dr. Eric Nease joined the practice, beginning a new chapter as Nease & Higginbotham Orthodontics. Twenty years later, Live Laugh Smile Orthodontics and Dr. Gary Horvath joined the practice.
Then came Dr. Alex Thomas, another exciting chapter of growth, and eventually, a new name that could bring the history, doctors, and future of the practice together under one identity:
Nth Degree Orthodontics.
So, Where Did “Nth Degree” Come From?
Believe it or not, we have an Atlanta Braves game to thank for this one.
While watching a broadcast, Dr. Nease heard an announcer use the phrase “taking it to the Nth degree.”
Something clicked. The letters N-T-H could represent the doctors who had helped shape the practice: Nease, Thomas, Higginbotham, and Horvath.
Even better, the phrase captured what the practice had always worked toward: going above and beyond for our patients. And just like that, Nth Degree Orthodontics had its name!
Today, “taking orthodontics to the Nth Degree” represents much more than the names behind the letters. It’s our commitment to continually raising the bar, embracing what’s next, and creating an experience our patients can genuinely look forward to.
Growing Without Losing What Matters
We’ve grown a lot since 1972, but we’re especially proud of the things that haven’t changed.
Today, Nth Degree Orthodontics has six locations throughout the Upstate: Duncan, Gaffney, Union, West Spartanburg, East Spartanburg, and Woodruff.
Along the way, we’ve welcomed Dr. Jay Patrick, expanded our team, embraced advanced orthodontic technology, and continued finding new ways to make treatment more convenient, personalized, and fun.
And while we love staying on the leading edge of orthodontics, there’s something pretty special about the history within our walls, too. Some members of our team have been part of this practice for 30 or even 40 years!
That combination of longstanding relationships and forward-thinking care is a huge part of who we are. We have decades of experience behind us, an incredible community around us, and plenty of excitement about what comes next.
A Brand Our Patients Have Made Their Own
Of course, you can’t tell the Nth Degree story without a little fun.
As Brand Spirit shared in its feature, one of Dr. Nease’s favorite examples came during the original Crocs craze in the early 2000s.
We created custom Crocs charms, or Jibbitz, shaped like our practice logo, and kids loved them.
Then Crocs came roaring back into style, so naturally, the Nth Degree Jibbitz did too! This time they featured our newest logo, and patients weren’t satisfied with just one. Some wanted multiples for their own Crocs and extras for their friends.
Orthodontics is serious business, but the experience doesn’t have to feel serious all the time. We want our offices to be places where patients feel welcome, have fun, get to know our team, and actually enjoy coming to see us.
The logo may have changed along the way, but seeing our patients proudly take a little piece of Nth Degree home with them never gets old.
The Next Chapter of Nth Degree Orthodontics
Fifty-four years of smiles is absolutely worth celebrating, but we’re just getting started.
Today, Dr. Eric Nease, Dr. Alex Thomas, and Dr. Jay Patrick are carrying forward a tradition of personalized orthodontic care established more than five decades ago while continuing to embrace the technology, techniques, and conveniences moving orthodontics forward.
After all, taking something to the Nth Degree means there’s always another level to reach.
More to learn. More ways to improve. More reasons to have fun. And, of course, a whole lot more smiles to create.
To every patient, parent, team member, and community partner who has been part of our story over the past 54 years: thank you! We wouldn’t be Nth Degree without you, and we feel incredibly lucky to keep doing what we love for the Upstate communities we call home.
Here’s to 54 years, and everything still to come!
Ready to experience orthodontics taken to the Nth Degree?
Schedule a complimentary consultation at our Duncan, Gaffney, Union, West Spartanburg, East Spartanburg, or Woodruff orthodontic office today.
