Thank you for considering North Texas Orthodontics for your orthodontic needs. We are extremely proud to serve the residents of Allen, Plano, McKinney and Frisco, TX and the surrounding communities. Our orthodontists and staff are highly trained to deliver the best in orthodontic care such as Invisalign, In-Ovation C & R braces and more. Read below to get to know the best orthodontic team in Texas!
Donald J. Copenhaver, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Dr. Copenhaver has lived in Texas most of his life. After graduating from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, he attended the University of Texas Dental Branch, receiving a doctorate in dentistry, with the aid of an Air Force scholarship. Dr. Copenhaver practiced general dentistry in the Air Force. He was stationed in Germany and The Air Force Academy, where he completed a general practice internship and an oral surgery proctorship. He was the only dental officer in the Air Force selected for orthodontic specialty training in the year he applied. He attended Temple University School of Dental Medicine where he received his certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree in Dentistry. He completed his Air Force obligations while stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana, and joined Dr. Schechter’s orthodontic practice in 1988. He was a member of the Air Force Reserve until 2006, and is a veteran of Desert Storm. He practices in Allen and McKinney, Texas.
Dr. Copenhaver is married to Lindsey, his smart, beautiful wife, who has a career in medical administration. They have three beautiful daughters: Alexandra, Dionne and Kyal. The oldest two daughters are married to Air Force pilots, (the beat goes on), and the youngest works for her dad as an orthodontic assistant and plans to start college in the fall.
Dr. Copenhaver enjoys music, plays guitar in his church on Sundays, has a private pilot’s license, and enjoys collecting and running American Flyer antique toy trains. He enjoys snow skiing and tennis. His first love is orthodontics and his practice fulfills his childhood dream.
Professional Memberships
- American Dental Association
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Texas Dental Association
- North Texas Dental Society
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- Diplomate, National Board of Orthodontics
Robert J. Lugo, D.M.D.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Lugo attended The University of Puerto Rico Dental School. He completed an Advanced Education General Dentistry Fellowship and his orthodontic specialty training at Columbia University in New York City. Prior to establishing his private practice in 1998, Dr. Lugo practiced and taught dentistry at The Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery.
Dr. Lugo and his wife of 14 years, Mayra, have one daughter, Claudia Isabel, and a Shitzu named Fiona. In his spare time, he is an avid fan of race cars, motorcycle riding and scuba diving.
Dr. Lugo also enjoys speaking at elementary schools on the importance of good dental hygiene. His practice is limited to orthodontic treatment for children and adults with offices located in Plano & McKinney, Texas.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Hispanic Dental Society
Carlos Nurko, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Nurko is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in 1990. He completed a pediatric dentistry residency, and earned a Master of Science degree in Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1996. He was faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from 1996-2001, and then received his certificate in orthodontics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004.
Dr. Nurko is a published author. His articles have been featured in several peer reviewed journals. In addition, he lectures at different study groups, dental societies and elementary schools.
Dr. Nurko’s special interests include: 3-D imaging, self-ligating bracket systems, new orthodontic technologies, infant oral heath, orthodontic treatment for growing patients and oral heath and dental services for minority children.
From 2007-2009, he served on the committee for the North Texas Dental Society’s Give-Kids-a-Smile program. He currently serves as chairman for the program.
Dr. Nurko enjoys spending time with his family, he currently coaches his sons Jonathan and Sammy soccer teams. Dr. Nurko believes in keeping his mind and body fit!. He enjoys running, soccer, photography, dancing, Latin music, and contemporary art. He practices in Frisco and Plano, Texas.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- North Texas Dental Society
- Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity (president)
- North Texas Hispanic Dental Association (board member)
Jerome S. Schechter, D.D.S.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Schechter attended dental school at The University of Southern California. He completed his orthodontic training at The University of California - Los Angleles.
Dr. Schechter and his wife Debbie have three children-Dan, Jody, Ben and a golden retriever named Tyler. Dr. Schechter's hobbies are boating, water sports, running and gardening.
He established North Texas Orthodontics in 1979 with offices in Plano and Allen.
Dr. Schechter's practice is limited to orthodontic treatment for children and adults. He treats patients in both Allen locations and in the Plano office.
jschechter@tx.rr.com
Professional Memberships
- American Dental Association
- American Association of Orthodontics
- Texas Dental Association
- Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity
- Diplomate, National Board of Orthodontics
The North Texas Orthodontic Association's team of orthodontists is excited to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted! We invite you to contact one of our five North Texas locations with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!