7 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS • Updated August 2026
The short answer
I spoke at Angel Aligner Ascend 2026 in New York about how artificial intelligence is changing clinical workflow in dentistry and orthodontics. The honest local translation: none of this replaces a clinician making a judgement, and most of it is invisible to patients. Where it shows up in a Frisco office is in fewer repeated scans, faster turnaround on treatment planning, and better images to look at while somebody explains what is going on in your mouth.
A Frisco Practice Owner Just Spoke in New York About the Future of Dentistry. Here Is What It Means for Local Families.
Dr. Kevin Baharvand, co-founder of Tribute Family Dentistry, joined an elite lineup of clinicians at Angel Aligner Ascend 2026 to share how artificial intelligence is quietly transforming dental practices, and how those advances are already lifting the patient experience in Frisco, The Colony, and Little Elm.
When a Frisco dental practice owner takes the stage in New York City, families back home in Frisco, The Colony, and Little Elm have a right to ask: what does this mean for me and my dentist appointments?
For families who trust Tribute Family Dentistry with their smiles, the answer is simple. When the leadership behind your dental practice is actively shaping the future of the profession, your standard of care quietly rises with it.
That is exactly what just happened. Dr. Kevin Baharvand, co-founder of Tribute Family Dentistry, was a featured speaker at Angel Aligner Ascend 2026 in New York City, where he presented on how artificial intelligence is changing the way modern dental practices are run.
Why a Dental Practice Owner Took the Ascend Stage
Dr. Baharvand’s clinical practice is at the sister office, Elate Orthodontics, where he serves as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and an American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) cover clinician. He does not personally see general dentistry patients at Tribute Family Dentistry.
So why does his Ascend keynote matter to families looking for a Frisco dentist?
Because the systems, standards, and innovation mindset he brings to Elate are the same systems, standards, and innovation mindset he and Dr. Julia Kang built into Tribute Family Dentistry from day one. When an owner is at the leading edge of healthcare technology, that edge filters into every appointment, every team member, and every patient interaction at the practice they oversee.
A Family Practice Built on Modern Principles
Tribute Family Dentistry was founded in 2024 with a clear identity. Family-owned. Community-rooted. Conservative in clinical philosophy. Modern in infrastructure. The practice has grown quickly into one of Frisco’s most recognized dental homes, with awards, reviews, and community recognition that reflect the standard Dr. Baharvand and Dr. Kang set for every operation they touch.
What Tribute Patients Quietly Get That Most Patients Do Not
Most dental patients never see the systems behind their dental visit. They see a friendly front desk, a clean treatment room, and a dentist who answers their questions. They never see the back end, the technology stack, or the leadership philosophy that quietly shapes all of it.
At Tribute Family Dentistry, that quiet infrastructure is doing real work:
Faster, clearer communication.
Smart, AI-supported messaging tools help our team respond to patients faster, write clearer treatment estimates, and keep families informed about their care without long waits.
Smoother scheduling for busy families.
Optimized scheduling means fewer back-and-forth calls, fewer surprises, and more appointment slots that actually work for the family’s calendar.
A better-supported clinical team.
When AI handles the administrative load, our dentists, hygienists, and assistants spend their energy on the patient in the chair, not on paperwork between rooms.
Smarter hiring for the team you trust.
Behind every great appointment is a great team. AI helps us build that team faster, with more consistency, so the people you meet on day one are the right fit for your family on year ten.
Built for Frisco Families, Not Corporate Volume
Tribute Family Dentistry is not a corporate dental chain. It is a family-owned practice, founded by clinicians, governed by clinicians, and answerable to the families who walk through its doors. That distinction matters more than ever in 2026.
Because TFD is independently owned, decisions about technology, scheduling, clinical protocols, and patient experience are made by the same people who know our patients by name. Investment in AI tools, continuing education, and team development comes back to the chair, not to a regional shareholder report.
Press Reference Sheet
Common Questions Families Ask
About Dr. Kevin Baharvand
Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD MS, is co-founder of Tribute Family Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, an American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) cover clinician, an Orthotown editorial board member, and a D Magazine Best Dentist 2026 honoree. Dr. Baharvand is also a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society. His clinical practice is dedicated to orthodontics at sister practice Elate Orthodontics. At Tribute Family Dentistry, his role is operational leadership and clinical standards.
About Tribute Family Dentistry
Tribute Family Dentistry is a family-owned dental practice founded in 2024 by Dr. Kevin Baharvand and Dr. Julia Kang. The practice provides comprehensive general, cosmetic, pediatric, restorative, and emergency dental care to families across Frisco, The Colony, and Little Elm from a convenient location at 5605 FM 423. Tribute Family Dentistry is in-network with most major PPO dental insurance plans, offers a transparent in-house Smile Savings Plan for families without insurance, and is an active member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, The Colony Chamber of Commerce, and the Little Elm Chamber of Commerce.
Visit Tribute Family Dentistry
Frisco, TX 75036
Near the Waterstone area
Media Contact
Tribute Family Dentistry
Phone: (469) 598-1021
Email: info@tributedentistry.com
Website: dentistfriscotx.com
Common questions
What is Angel Aligner Ascend?
A clinical conference for the Angel Aligner clear aligner system, bringing together clinicians to present on treatment approaches and technology.
Does AI make treatment decisions in dentistry?
No. Current tools assist with things like image analysis, treatment simulation, and workflow. A clinician still makes the diagnosis and the treatment decision, and should be able to explain the reasoning to you.
How does any of this affect me as a patient in Frisco?
Mostly in small practical ways: digital impressions instead of putty trays, faster planning turnaround, and clearer images on the screen when a dentist is explaining what they found.
Does Tribute Family Dentistry offer clear aligners?
Orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, is handled by our sister practice Elate Orthodontics, with offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony.
The technology only matters if somebody shows you the screen
Book an exam and see what we see. Digital images, an explanation you can follow, and a written estimate before anything gets scheduled.
You may also be interested in these
- Do you know who owns your orthodontist?
- How to choose the best dentist in Frisco, TX
- Elate Orthodontics named best in Denton County
About Tribute Family Dentistry
200+ five-star Google reviews • Family owned and independent • D Magazine Best Dentist 2026 • Living Magazine Readers' Choice 2026 • Se habla espanol
Tribute is a family owned, independent practice on FM 423 in Frisco. I own it with my wife, Dr. Julia Kang, DMD. We both trained at Boston University and we are both members of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national honor society. I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Day to day, most patients and their kids see Dr. Christina Pham, DMD, our general and family dentist, and oral surgery is handled by Dr. David Roberts, DDS, who has been doing it for more than 35 years.
We handle the whole family in one place: cleanings and preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, extractions and wisdom teeth, whitening, night guards, and emergency visits. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you need braces or clear aligners, that is the other side of what we do. Elate Orthodontics, our sister practice, treats kids, teens, and adults out of three offices in Frisco and The Colony.
Tribute Family Dentistry
5605 FM 423, Suite 600-B, Frisco, TX 75036
Book an appointment: (469) 598-1021
About the author: Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. His clinical work was selected for the cover of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He and his wife, Dr. Julia Kang, own Tribute Family Dentistry and Elate Orthodontics in Frisco, Texas.
