Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.14

                    LEASE AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED

                                     between

                       PONTE VEDRA MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD.
                          a Florida limited partnership

                                       and

                      Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc.
                             a Delaware corporation

          Dated October 7, 1999 as amended and restated April 16, 2001

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                      AMENDED AND RESTATED LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LEASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as this
"Lease"), is made effective as of October 7, 1999, by and between PONTE VEDRA
MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD., a Florida limited partnership (hereinafter referred to
as "Landlord") and ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter referred to as "Tenant"). This Amended and Restated Lease Agreement
replaces in its entirety the prior versions of this Lease. The parties agree to
continue their currently existing landlord/tenant relationship on the following
terms and conditions.

                                   WITNESSETH:

THAT LANDLORD, in consideration of the rents and agreements hereafter promised
and agreed by Tenant to be paid and performed, does hereby lease to Tenant, and
Tenant does hereby lease from Landlord, the Premises described herein, subject
to the following terms.

                    ARTICLE 1: DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY; TERM

SECTION 1.1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY. Landlord hereby leases to Tenant and
Tenant hereby leases from Landlord that certain space located on the 3rd floor
in the Building known as Los Verde at Ponte Vedra formerly known as The Meridian
Building located at 5000 Sawgrass Village Circle, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
(the "Building") and designated as Suite 300 (the "Premises"). A depiction of
the Premises is attached hereto as EXHIBIT "A". The total square footage of the
Premises is 16,646 rentable square feet as determined in accordance with BOMA
standards. During the Term, Tenant shall have the right to use in common with
other tenants of the Building, their invitees, customers and employees, the
lobby areas, stairways, elevators, hallways, lavatories and all other parts of
the Building designated by Landlord as common areas together with the parking
areas appurtenant to the Building. All of the land and real property underlying
the Building or adjacent thereto, with all improvements thereto including the
Building, and used in connection with the operation of the Building, together
with the parking areas appurtenant to the Building, shall be referred to herein
as the "Property".

SECTION 1.2. TERM. The Lease Term shall commence on July 1, 2000 (the
"Commencement Date"). Tenant shall have and hold the Premises for a term of one
hundred twenty (120) months (hereinafter referred to as the "Term" or "Lease
Term") of the Premises, as hereinafter provided and expiring one hundred twenty
(120) months thereafter (the "Expiration Date"). As used herein, the term "Rent
Commencement Date" shall mean the Commencement Date. In the event the Rent
Commencement Date occurs on a day other than the first day of a calendar month,
the first Base Rent and Additional Rent (hereinafter defined) payment shall be
in the amount of the Base Rent and Additional Rent for the next full calendar
month plus the prorated Base Rent and Additional Rent for the calendar month in
which the Term of this Lease commences, such payment to be due on the
Commencement Date.

                              ARTICLE 2: BASE RENT

SECTION 2.1. BASE RENT; LATE CHARGE; SALES TAX. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord
base rent for the first year of the Lease Term in the amount of $364,547.40 (the
"Base Rent"), payable in twelve (12) equal monthly installments of $30,378.95 on
or before the first day of each and every month during the first year of the
Lease Term. In addition, Tenant agrees to pay Additional Rent (hereafter
defined) as provided in Article 3 below (the Base Rent and Additional Rent shall
be considered Rent as that term is used in Florida Statute Chapter 83 and shall
sometimes be collectively referred to as the "Rent"). The Rent shall be paid by
Tenant without demand, offset or deduction. In the event any monthly installment
of Rent payment is not paid in full on or before the tenth (10th) day of each
calendar month, in addition to any other remedies Landlord may have under this
Lease, at law or in equity, Tenant agrees to pay a late charge equal to three
percent (3%) of the delinquent amount. Tenant further agrees that the late
charge assessed pursuant to this Lease is not interest, and the late charge
assessed does not constitute a lender or borrower/creditor relationship between
Landlord and Tenant, and may be treated by Landlord as Additional Rent owed by
Tenant. Tenant shall pay to Landlord all sales, use or other taxes (other than
income or franchise taxes applicable to the Landlord or the Landlord's
operation) pertaining to the Rent which shall be remitted by Landlord to the
Florida Department of Revenue or other appropriate taxing authority.

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SECTION 2.2. BASE RENT ADJUSTMENT. Commencing on the first anniversary of the
Rent Commencement Date (provided such anniversary date falls on the first day of
the month, otherwise on the first day of the following month) and each and every
annual anniversary thereafter (each a "Lease Year"), the Base Rent shall
increase on an annual basis by three percent (3%) of Base Rent (as the same may
have been previously adjusted) for the immediately precedent Lease Year.

         2.2.1 Following adjustment in accordance with the provisions hereof,
the phrase "Base Rent" as used in this Lease shall refer to the Base Rent as
adjusted in accordance with this paragraph throughout the term of this Lease.

         2.2.2 In no event shall the Base Rent increase more than three percent
(3%) per Lease Year throughout the Term.

         2.2.3 Except as specifically set forth herein with regard to casualty
or condemnation, in no event shall that Adjusted Base Rent for any Lease Year be
less than the Base Rent (as may have theretofore been adjusted) for any prior
Lease Year.

SECTION 2.3. PLACE OF PAYMENT. All payments of Rent shall be payable to
Landlord, 5000 Sawgrass Village Circle, Suite 28, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
32082, or at such other place as Landlord may, from time to time, designate in
writing to Tenant. All Rent shall be payable in current legal tender of the
United States, as the same is then by law constituted. Any extension,
indulgence, or waiver granted or permitted by Landlord in the time, manner or
mode of payment of Rent, upon any one (1) or more occasions, shall not be
construed as a continuing extension, indulgence or waiver by Landlord.

                           ARTICLE 3: ADDITIONAL RENT

SECTION 3.1. ADDITIONAL RENT. Tenant, on the first day of each month during the
Term, shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent, without demand, offset or
deduction, an amount equal to 1/12 of Tenant's Proportionate Share of the
budgeted Operating Expenses as calculated by Landlord (prorated for any partial
month) to the extent Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating Expenses exceeds
the Operating Expense Stop. In addition, Tenant shall pay the full cost of any
items billed on a per square foot basis, such as janitorial services, or
particular to Tenant. For purposes of calculating Additional Rent, the following
terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

         3.1.1 OPERATING EXPENSES. All expenses relating to the operation and
maintenance of the Property, including without limitation the following:

         (a)      wages and salaries of all persons engaged in the maintenance
                  and operation of the Property, including social security taxes
                  and all other taxes which may be levied against Landlord;

         (b)      medical and general benefits for all Building employees,
                  pension payments and other fringe benefits;

         (c)      administrative expenses and charges;

         (d)      all insurance premiums, including any insurance premiums for
                  Landlord's insurance;

         (e)      stand-by sprinkler charges, water charges and sewer charges;

         (f)      electricity and fuel used in the heating, ventilation,
                  air-conditioning, lighting and all other operations of the
                  Property;

         (g)      trash removal and recycling expenses;

         (h)      painting of all common areas within the Property, including
                  painting, striping and the provision of signage on all
                  pavement curbs, walkways, driveways and parking areas;

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         (i)      window cleaning, janitorial services and related equipment and
                  supplies;

         (j)      management fees incurred in the operation of the Property;

         (k)      cleaning, maintenance and repair of the Property;

         (l)      maintenance and service contracts;

         (m)      tools, equipment and supplies necessary for the performance of
                  repairs and maintenance (which are not required to be
                  capitalized for federal income tax purposes);

         (n)      maintenance and repair of all mechanical, electrical and
                  intrabuilding network cabling equipment in or upon the
                  Property;

         (o)      cleaning, maintenance and repair of elevators, restrooms,
                  lobbies, hallways and other common areas of the Building;

         (p)      cleaning, maintenance and repair of pavement, curbs, walkways,
                  lighting facilities, landscaping, driveways, parking areas and
                  drainage areas upon and adjacent to the Property;

         (q)      personal property taxes;

         (r)      real estate taxes assessed against the Property. The term
                  "real estate taxes" shall mean any tax or assessment levied,
                  assessed or imposed at any time by any governmental authority
                  upon or against the Property or any part thereof, any tax or
                  assessment levied, or any franchise, income, profit or other
                  tax or governmental imposition levied, assessed or imposed
                  against or upon Landlord in substitution in whole or in part
                  for any tax or assessment against or upon the Property or any
                  part thereof;

         (s)      assessments for public improvements imposed against the
                  Property;

         (t)      all other costs and expenses which would be considered as an
                  expense of cleaning, maintaining, operating or repairing the
                  Property;

         (u)      a reasonable amortization cost due to any capital expenditures
                  incurred to reduce or limit operating expenses of the
                  Property;

         (v)      the amortized portion of any cost or expense for any capital
                  expenditure which may be required by governmental authority
                  for any reason, or which may be required by Landlord's
                  insurance carrier;

         (w)      any and all costs associated with providing and maintaining
                  security for the Property, including any security systems and
                  security personnel;

         (x)      any and all costs associated with any governmental taxes,
                  levies or impositions arising after the execution of this
                  Lease; and

         (y)      janitorial expenses provided by Landlord to the Premises in
                  accordance with paragraph below.

         3.1.2    Operating Expenses shall not include costs and expenses which
                  are:

         (a)      charged to or chargeable to a particular tenant or tenants of
                  the Building;

         (b)      charged to or chargeable to tenants of any other Building
                  owned by Landlord or managed in common with the Project;

         (c)      covered by any insurance (except to the extent of any
                  deductible paid by Landlord) or not actually paid by or on
                  behalf of Landlord; and

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         (d)      rent abatement, rent allowances, tenant improvements,
                  collection expenses for delinquent amounts, advertising
                  expenses for the Project, rent inducements, leasing or
                  brokerage commissions or similar leasing expenses.

         (e)      the costs of any repairs or replacements which by sound
                  accounting practices should be capitalized. In this
                  connection, the good faith decision of Landlord's accountants
                  made in conformity with generally accepted accounting
                  practices, historically applied, shall be final.

         (f)      for those costs and expenses (a) shared among or attributable
                  to property other than the Building and/or (b) for Common
                  Areas used in common with other buildings in the Project; with
                  any other building owned by Landlord or any other building
                  managed in common with the Project to the extent the same
                  exceed the fair apportionment of such costs and expenses to
                  the Building.

         (g)      the costs of management fees, expenses and charges which
                  exceed the lesser of:

                  (i) amount of management fees, expenses and charges chargeable
                  by national commercial firms managing Class A commercial
                  buildings in the metropolitan Jacksonville area; and

                  (ii) Five percent (5%) of the gross rents received from
                  tenants in the Building.

         3.1.3 Tenant shall pay the full cost of any items billed on a per
square foot basis, to the extent provided to Tenant and/or the Premises.

         3.1.4. TENANT'S PROPORTIONATE SHARE. A fraction having as a numerator
the total rentable square footage of the Premises as set forth in Section above
and a denominator of the total rentable square footage in the Building, to-wit:
32,054 rentable square feet. Thus, Tenant's proportionate share under this Lease
shall be 50%.

         3.1.5. OPERATING EXPENSE STOP. $6.00 per rentable square foot of the
Premises.

SECTION 3.2. OPERATING EXPENSE BUDGET. Landlord shall furnish to Tenant on or
before February 1 of each calendar year of the Term, a budget setting forth
Landlord's estimate of Operating Expenses for the subject calendar year.
Operating Expenses shall be calculated based upon the higher of the actual
occupancy of the Building for the calendar year or an assumed occupancy rate of
95%. If there shall be any increase in the Operating Expenses for any calendar
year, whether during or after such year, Landlord shall furnish to Tenant a
revised budget and the Operating Expenses shall be adjusted and paid or
credited, as the case may be. If a calendar year ends after the expiration or
termination of this Lease, the Additional Rent payable hereunder shall be
prorated to correspond to that portion of the calendar year occurring within the
Term.

         3.2.1 In no event shall Tenant's Proportionate Share of Operating
Expenses, excluding real estate and ad valorem taxes, insurance premiums and
elective utility costs increase by more than five percent (5%) over the prior
Calendar Year.

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                  other index or standard as shall most clearly reflect changes
                  in the cost of living for urban wage earners and which is
                  generally recognized as authoritative by financial and
                  insurance institutions. Thereafter the substitute index shall
                  be the CPI.

         3.2.2. ADJUSTMENTS TO OPERATING EXPENSES. Within 120 days after the end
of each calendar year, Landlord shall furnish to Tenant an operating statement
showing the actual Operating Expenses incurred for the preceding calendar year.
Tenant shall either receive a refund or be assessed an additional sum based upon
the difference between Tenant's Proportionate Share of the actual Operating
Expenses over and above the Additional Rent payments made by Tenant during said
year. Any additional sum owed by Tenant to Landlord shall be paid within ten
(10) days of receipt of assessment. Any refund owed by Landlord to Tenant shall
be credited toward Tenant's next month's rental payment. Each operating
statement given by Landlord shall be conclusive and binding upon Tenant unless,
within thirty (30) days after Tenant's receipt thereof, Tenant shall notify
Landlord that it disputes the accuracy of said operating statement. In such
case, Tenant shall have the right, at its expense to audit said statement, in
the event Tenant finds discrepancies resulting in a savings to Tenant in excess
of five percent (5%), then Landlord would agree to reimburse Tenant for audit.
Failure of Landlord to submit the written statement referred to herein shall not
waive any rights of Landlord, unless such statement is not submitted within one
year from the end of the prior calendar year.

                               ARTICLE 4: RESERVED

                           ARTICLE 5: USE OF PREMISES

SECTION 5.1. USE OF PREMISES. Tenant shall use the Premises for general office
use only and no other purpose without first obtaining the written consent of
Landlord, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Tenant
will not use or permit the use of the Premises or any part thereof for any
unlawful purpose, or in violation of any ordinances, laws, rules or regulations
of any governmental body or of Landlord's Rules and Regulations as provided for
in Exhibit "C" to this Lease. Landlord may make reasonable revisions to the
Rules and Regulations from time to time as it deems to be in the best interests
of the Building and its tenants. Tenant shall not do or permit any act which
would constitute a public or private nuisance or waste or which would be a
nuisance or annoyance or cause damage to Landlord or Landlord's other tenants or
which would invalidate any policies of insurance or increase the premiums
thereof now or hereafter written on the Building and/or Premises.

                               ARTICLE 6: PARKING

SECTION 6.1. PARKING. There shall be available at the Property on a first come
first served basis, parking free of charge, for the non-exclusive use of Tenant,
in common with other tenants of the Building. Landlord represents that the
Building has a sufficient number of parking spaces to comply with local county
parking requirements for general office use or constitutes a valid grandfathered
use with regard to such county parking requirements.

                ARTICLE 7: CONDITION OF PREMISES AND COMMENCEMENT

SECTION 7.1. CONDITION OF PREMISES. Tenant acknowledges that it has performed
sufficient inspections of the Premises in order to fully assess and make itself
aware of the condition of the Premises, and that Tenant hereby accepts the
Premises in an "as-is" condition. Landlord has not made and hereby expressly
disclaims any and all warranties and representations as to the condition or
status of the Premises, and Tenant further acknowledges that it is not relying
on any representations or warranties of Landlord, any broker(s), or any agent(s)
of Landlord in entering into this Lease. The Approved Floor Plan is attached
hereto as EXHIBIT "D" and the Tenant Improvement Specifications are attached as
EXHIBIT "E".

SECTION 7.2. COMMENCEMENT DATE. The "Commencement Date" shall be the date
Landlord specifies in its notice to Tenant that the Premises are ready for
occupancy by Tenant, to wit July 1, 2000.

SECTION 7.3. ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall
stand by its written representations and/or written warranties (if any) with
respect to the condition of the Premises. Tenant's taking of possession of the
Premises shall be conclusive evidence that as of the date thereof, the Premises
were in good and satisfactory

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condition, except for matters shown on a "punch list" of items provided by
Tenant to Landlord within thirty (30) days of possession. If Landlord shall give
Tenant permission to enter into possession of the Premises prior to the
Commencement Date, such possession or occupancy shall be deemed to be upon all
the terms, covenants, conditions, and provisions of this Lease, including the
execution of the Estoppel Certificates.

                   ARTICLE 8: LANDLORD AND TENANT OBLIGATIONS

SECTION 8.1. LANDLORD REPAIRS. Landlord will not be required to make any
improvements, replacements or repairs of any kind or character to the Premises
during the term of this Lease, except as are set forth in this Section. Landlord
will maintain only the roof, foundation, parking and Common Areas, the
structural soundness of the exterior walls and air conditioning and heating
equipment, mechanical doors and other mechanical equipment serving the
Building(s) generally. Landlord's cost of maintaining the items set forth in
this Section is subject to the Additional Rent provisions above. All work
provided by Landlord and/or condition of the Premises at the time of Tenant's
possession shall be warranted as to materials and workmanship by Landlord for a
period of one (1) year from the Commencement Date. Provided Landlord shall
undertake to remedy defects in workmanship or materials in a prompt manner upon
request by Tenant, and so long as the Premises are generally suitable to
occupation by Tenant, Landlord will NOT be liable to Tenant for any damage or
inconvenience, NOR WILL Tenant be entitled to any damages and/or any abatement
or reduction of Rent by reason of any repair, alterations or additions made by
Landlord under this Lease.

SECTION 8.2. TENANT REPAIRS. Tenant will, at its direct expense, maintain the
Premises in good condition (except for those items listed under Section 8.1
below). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Tenant will maintain
and keep in as good repair as on the Commencement Date or such later date of
receipt by Tenant (including replacement when necessary):

         8.2.1 the interior of the Premises, including walls, floors and
ceilings.

         8.2.2 all windows and interior doors, including frames, glass, molding
and hardware;

         8.2.3 all wires and plumbing within the Premises which service the
Premises (as distinguished from those serving the Building(s) generally), except
that all restroom areas shall be maintained by the Landlord;

         8.2.4 all signs, (see attached Rules and Regulations for service
requirements); and

         8.2.5 those utility facilities installed by or at the request of Tenant
not common to the rest of the Building.

Tenant will further make all other repairs to the Premises made necessary by
Tenant's failure to comply with its obligations under this Section. All fixtures
installed by Tenant will be new or will have been completely and recently
reconditioned.

SECTION 8.3. REQUEST FOR REPAIRS. All requests for repairs or maintenance to
Landlord pursuant to Section 8.1 above must be made in writing to Landlord.

SECTION 8.4. TENANT DAMAGES. Tenant will not allow any damage to occur on any
portion of the Premises, and at the termination of this Lease, by lapse of time
or otherwise, Tenant will deliver the Premises to Landlord in as good repair as
on the Commencement Date or such later date of receipt by Tenant , ordinary wear
and tear excepted.

SECTION 8.5. FLOOR LOADS; NOISE AND VIBRATION. Tenant shall not place a load
upon any floor of the Premises which exceeds the load per square foot which such
floor was designed to carry or which is allowed by law. Business machines and
mechanical equipment belonging to Tenant which cause noise, electrical
interference or vibration that may be transmitted to the structure of the
Building or to the Premises to such a degree as to be objectionable to Landlord
shall, at Tenant's expense, be placed and maintained by Tenant in settings of
cork, rubber, or spring-type vibration eliminators sufficient to eliminate such
noise, electrical interference or vibration.

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SECTION 8.6. SERVICES. Landlord shall furnish to the Premises reasonable
quantities of heat, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC"), electricity,
elevator service and water at all times during the Term from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays,
New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and
Christmas Day such service shall not be provided by Landlord. Landlord will
provide after-hour HVAC service upon reasonable advance request and Tenant will
be charged an hourly rate of $25.00 per hour, subject to increase based upon
increases in the utility provider's charge per kilowatt hour for electrical
service that takes place subsequent to execution of this Lease. Electricity,
water and elevator service will be provided at all times, subject to matters
beyond the reasonable control of Landlord.

Tenant shall not without Landlord's prior written consent in each instance,
connect any fixtures, appliances or equipment to the Building's electrical
system which would materially, in Landlord's reasonable opinion, increase
Tenant's electrical consumption. Should Landlord grant such consent, all
additional risers or other equipment required shall be provided by Landlord and
the cost thereof shall be paid by Tenant within ten (10) days after being billed
therefore. As a condition to granting such consent, Landlord may require Tenant
to agree to pay, as Additional Rent, an amount adequate to compensate for the
additional electrical energy to be made available to Tenant based upon the
estimated additional capacity of such additional risers or other equipment, as
determined by Landlord from time to time.

SECTION 8.7. JANITORIAL SERVICES. Landlord shall cause the Premises, including
the exterior and interior of the windows thereof, to be cleaned in a manner
standard to the Building. Landlord shall provide janitorial service three (3)
days per week which would include a minimum of custodial service (trash removal,
floor cleaning, dusting and lavatory cleaning and sanitation). As an incidence
of Additional Rent, Tenant shall pay to Landlord on demand, the additional cost
incurred by Landlord for extra cleaning work in the Premises required because of
(i) misuse or neglect on the part of Tenant or subtenants or its employees or
visitors; and (ii) non-building standard materials or finishes installed by
Tenant or at its request.

SECTION 8.8. TELEPHONE AND CABLE. Tenant shall be solely responsible for all
telephone, television, cable and other communication expenses incurred in
connection with Tenant's use of the Premises. Landlord shall provide base
telephone services to the Building.

                   ARTICLE 9: LANDLORD'S AND TENANT'S PROPERTY

SECTION 9.1. LANDLORD'S PROPERTY. All fixtures, equipment, improvements and
appurtenances attached to or built into the Premises at the commencement of, or
during the Term of this Lease, including carpeting or other similar property,
whether or not by or at the expense of Tenant, shall be and remain a part of the
Premises, and shall be deemed the property of Landlord ("Landlord's Property")
and shall not be removed by Tenant except as set forth herein.

SECTION 9.2. TENANT'S PROPERTY. All business and trade fixtures, machinery and
equipment, communications equipment and office equipment, whether or not
attached to or built into the Premises, which are installed in the Premises by
or for the account of Tenant without expense to Landlord and which can be
removed without damage to the Premises or any structural damage to the Building,
and all furniture, furnishings and other articles of moveable personal property
owned by Tenant and located in the Premises (hereinafter collectively referred
to as "Tenant's Property") shall remain the property of Tenant and may be
removed by Tenant at any time during the Term of this Lease. In the event
Tenant's Property is so removed, Tenant shall repair or pay the cost of
repairing any damage to the Premises or to the Building resulting from the
installation and/or removal thereof.

SECTION 9.3. REMOVAL OF TENANT'S PROPERTY. At or before the Expiration Date of
this Lease, or within thirty (30) days after any earlier termination hereof,
Tenant, at its expense, shall remove from the Premises all of Tenant's Property
(except such items thereof as Landlord shall have expressly permitted to remain,
which property shall become the property of Landlord), and Tenant shall repair
any damage to the Premises or the Building resulting from any installation
and/or removal of Tenant's Property, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Any
other items of Tenant's Property which shall remain in the Premises after the
Expiration Date of this Lease, or after a period of thirty (30) days following
an earlier termination date, may, at the option of Landlord, be deemed to have
been abandoned, and in such case, such items may be retained by, or otherwise
disposed of by Landlord. Landlord may

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request Tenant to remove and pay to Landlord the cost of repairing any damage to
the Premises or the Building resulting from any installation and/or removal of
Tenant's Property, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

                              ARTICLE 10: INSURANCE

SECTION 10.1. TENANT'S INSURANCE.

         10.1.1 Tenant shall, at its cost and expense, obtain and maintain at
all times during the Term, for the protection of Landlord and Tenant, public
liability insurance (comprehensive general liability or commercial general
liability) including contractual liability insurance, with a combined personal
injury and property damage limit of not less than Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000.00) (combined single limit), insuring against all liability of
Tenant and its representatives arising out of and in connection with Tenant's
use or occupancy of the Property. Landlord and Landlord's Superior Mortgagee (as
their interest shall appear) shall be named as additional insureds.

         10.1.2 Tenant shall, at its cost and expense, obtain and maintain at
all times during the Term, fire and extended coverage insurance on the contents.

         10.1.3 Tenant shall increase its insurance coverage, as required, but
not more frequently than each calendar year if, in the reasonable opinion of
Landlord or any mortgagee of Landlord, the amount of public liability and/or
property damage insurance coverage at that time is not adequate.

SECTION 10.2. LANDLORD'S INSURANCE. Landlord, at its expense, shall maintain in
force during the Term:

         10.2.1 comprehensive general public liability insurance, which shall
include coverage for personal liability, contractual liability, Landlord's legal
liability, bodily injury (including death) and property damage, all on an
occurrence basis with respect to the Property with coverage for any one
occurrence or claim of not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) (combined
single limit) or such higher amount as the Superior Mortgagee may from time to
time require, with Tenant being named as an additional insured; and

         10.2.2 fire and extended coverage insurance, with an agreed amount
endorsement and for the full replacement value of the Building for the
replacement value of the leasehold improvement to the Premises.

SECTION 10.3. INSURANCE CRITERIA. All insurance required under this Lease shall
be issued by insurance companies licensed to do business in the jurisdiction
where the Property is located. Such companies shall have a policyholder rating
of at least "A" and be assigned a financial size category of at least "Class X"
as rated in the most recent edition of "Best's Key Rating Guide" for insurance
companies. Each policy shall contain an endorsement requiring thirty (30) days
written notice from the insurance company to Landlord before cancellation or any
change in the coverage, scope or amount of any policy. Each policy, or a
certificate showing it is in effect, together with evidence of payment of
premiums, shall be deposited with Landlord on or before the Commencement Date,
and renewal certificates or copies of renewal policies shall be delivered to
Landlord at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of any policy.

SECTION 10.4. EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE. Prior to the Commencement Date and upon
each renewal of its insurance policies, each party shall give certificates of
insurance to the other party. The certificate shall specify amounts, types of
coverage and the waiver of subrogation. The policies shall be renewed or
replaced and maintained by the party responsible for that policy. If either
party fails to give the required certificate within thirty (30) days after
written notice of demand for it, the other party may obtain and pay for that
insurance and receive reimbursement from the party required to have insurance,
plus interest on the amounts advanced at 18% simple interest per annum.

SECTION 10.5. INSURANCE RISK INCREASES. If any of Landlord's insurance policies
shall be canceled or cancellation shall be threatened or the coverage thereunder
reduced or threatened to be reduced in any way because of the use of the
Premises or any part thereof by Tenant or any assignee or subtenant of Tenant or
by anyone Tenant permits on the Premises where such usage is for other than
general office use and would, in the underwriter's reasonable opinion, increase
the risk of fire or other casualty, and if Tenant fails to remedy the condition
within a reasonable time after notice thereof, Landlord may at its option,
either terminate this Lease (but only after written notice) or enter upon the
Premises and attempt to remedy such condition, and Tenant shall promptly pay the
cost

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thereof to Landlord. Landlord shall not be liable for any damage or injury
caused to any property of Tenant or of others located on the Premises from such
entry.

SECTION 10.6. WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. All policies covering real or personal
property which either party obtains affecting the Property shall include a
clause or endorsement denying the insurer any rights of subrogation or recovery
against the other party to the extent rights have been waived by the insured
before the occurrence of injury or loss. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any
rights of subrogation or recovery against the other for damage or loss to their
respective property due to hazards covered or which should be covered by
policies of insurance obtained or which should be or have been obtained pursuant
to this Lease, to the extent of the injury or loss covered thereby assuming that
any deductible shall be deemed to be insurance coverage.

SECTION 10.7. DESTRUCTION OF THE PREMISES OR BUILDING. If, during the Term
hereof, the Premises are damaged by reason of fire or other casualty, Tenant
shall give immediate notice thereof to Landlord. Subject to the prior rights of
any mortgagee, Landlord shall restore the Premises to substantially the same
condition they were in immediately before said destruction. Landlord shall
provide its opinion within sixty (60) days of the casualty. If, in Landlord's
architect's and contractor's reasonable opinion, the restoration can be
accomplished within two hundred seventy (270) calendar days after the date
Landlord receives notice of the destruction, such destruction shall not result
in a termination of this Lease. If, in Landlord's architect's and contractor's
reasonable opinion, the restoration cannot be performed within the time stated
in this paragraph, then within fifteen (15) days after the determination or the
date the determination was due that the restoration cannot be completed within
said time, Landlord or Tenant may terminate this Lease upon fifteen (15) days
notice to the other party. If Landlord and/or Tenant fails to terminate this
Lease and restoration is permitted under existing laws, Landlord shall restore
the Premises within a reasonable period of time not exceeding two hundred
seventy (270) calendar days from the date of the casualty, and this Lease shall
continue in full force and effect. Except to the extent of the proceeds of any
loss of rents insurance actually paid to Landlord for and on account of such
casualty, Rent and all other charge shall be abated during the period in which
the Premises (or portion thereof on a prorated basis) are rendered untenantable
as a result of such damage unless said damage was caused by the gross negligence
or intentional wrongful act or omission of Tenant or its officers, employees,
agents or invitees, in which event there shall be no abatement. Should Landlord
elect to terminate this Lease, the entire insurance proceeds shall be and remain
the outright property of Landlord, subject to the prior rights of any mortgagee
and except any proceeds received for Tenant's Property, or proceeds received
from Tenant's business interruption insurance, if any.

         In the event that the Building has been damaged or destroyed by fire or
other casualty to the extent that the cost of restoration of the Building will
exceed a sum constituting fifty percent (50%) of the total replacement cost
thereof, Landlord shall have the right to terminate this Lease provided that
notice thereof is given to the Tenant not later than sixty (60) days after such
damage or destruction in the event Landlord elects not to restore the Building
and terminates all other leases for space in the Building.

                  ARTICLE 11: ALTERATIONS AND MECHANIC'S LIENS

SECTION 11.1. ALTERATIONS BY TENANT. No structural alterations nor nonstructural
alterations in excess of $2,500 per occurrence shall be made by Tenant after
completion of Tenant Improvements unless the conditions listed below are met. As
used herein, the alterations shall not include revisions, restorations or
repairs which are minor and are merely decorative in nature.

         11.1.1 Tenant shall provide a sealed set of plans prepared and
certified by an architect to Landlord, and Tenant shall have received the prior
written consent of Landlord;

         11.1.2 all such alterations or improvements shall be performed by a
licensed contractor approved by Landlord;

         11.1.3 Tenant shall have procured all permits, licenses and other
authorizations required for the lawful and proper undertaking thereof, and
immediately upon completion of any such alterations, Tenant shall obtain a
proper Certificate of Occupancy if applicable and deliver same to Landlord;

         11.1.4 all alterations when completed shall be of such a nature as not
to (i) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the value of the Premises; (ii)
diminish the general utility or change the general character thereof; (iii)
result in an increase of the Operating Expenses, or (iv) adversely affect the
mechanical, electrical, plumbing, security or other such systems of the Building
or the Premises;

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         11.1.5 all alterations made by Tenant shall remain on and be
surrendered with the Premises on expiration or termination of this Lease; and

         11.1.6 Tenant shall be liable for any increase in the Building
insurance costs caused, in whole or part, by any alterations made by Tenant to
the Premises.

SECTION 11.2. MECHANIC'S, MATERIALMEN'S AND LABORER'S LIENS. Tenant agrees that
it will make full and prompt payment of all sums necessary to pay for the cost
of repairs, alterations, improvements, changes or other work done by Tenant to
the Premises and further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Landlord from and
against any and all such costs and liabilities incurred by Tenant, and against
any and all mechanic's, materialman's or laborer's liens arising out of or from
such work or the cost thereof which may be asserted, claimed or charged against
the Premises, the Building or the Property. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Lease, the interest of Landlord in the Property shall not be
subject to liens for improvements made by or for Tenant, whether or not the same
shall be made or done in accordance with any agreement between Landlord and
Tenant and it is specifically understood and agreed that in no event shall
Landlord or the interest of Landlord in the Property be liable for or subjected
to any mechanic's, materialmen's or laborer's liens for improvements or work
made by or for Tenant. THIS LEASE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS THE SUBJECTING OF
LANDLORD'S INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY TO ANY MECHANIC'S, MATERIALMEN'S OR
LABORER'S LIENS FOR IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY TENANT OR FOR WHICH TENANT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE. ALL PERSONS DEALING WITH
TENANT ARE HEREBY PLACED UPON NOTICE OF THIS PROVISION. TENANT SHALL ADVISE ITS
CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, MATERIALMEN AND ANY OTHER LIENORS OF THIS
PROVISION. In the event any notice or claim of lien shall be asserted of record
against the interest of Landlord in the Property on account of or growing out of
any improvement or work done by or for Tenant, or any person claiming by,
through or under Tenant, for improvements or work the cost of which is the
responsibility of Tenant, Tenant agrees to have such notice of claim of lien
canceled and discharged of record as a claim against the interest of Landlord in
the Property (either by payment or bond as permitted by law) within thirty (30)
days after notice to Tenant by Landlord.

                      ARTICLE 12: ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

SECTION 12.1. TENANT'S TRANSFER.

         12.1.1 Tenant shall not voluntarily assign or encumber its interest in
this Lease or in the Premises, or sublease all or any part of the Premises, or
allow any other person or entity to occupy or use all or any part of the
Premises, without first obtaining Landlord's written consent, which consent may
be withheld by Landlord in Landlord's reasonable discretion utilizing Landlord's
leasing criteria in effect at that times. Landlord's consent to a request by
Tenant to sublease, assign or encumber its interest under this Lease shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Any assignment, encumbrance or sublease
without Landlord's prior written consent shall be voidable and, at Landlord's
election, shall constitute a default hereunder. No consent to any assignment,
encumbrance, or sublease shall constitute a future waiver of the provisions of
this subparagraph.

         12.1.2 If Tenant is a partnership, a withdrawal or change, voluntary,
involuntary, or by operation of law of any partner/or partners owning 50% or
more of the partnership, or the dissolution of the partnership, shall be deemed
a voluntary assignment, subject to the requirements of Section above.

         12.1.3 Any assignment consented to by Landlord shall be evidenced by a
validly executed assignment and assumption of lease agreement, upon such terms
and provisions as shall be approved by Landlord in its reasonable discretion.

         12.1.4 If, without the prior written consent of Landlord, this Lease is
transferred or assigned by Tenant, or if the Premises, or any part thereof, are
sublet or occupied by anybody other than Tenant, whether as a result of any act
or omission by Tenant, or by operation of law or otherwise, Landlord may, in
addition to and not in diminution of, or substitution for, any other rights and
remedies under this Lease, or pursuant to law to which Landlord may be entitled
as a result thereof, collect and retain Rent directly from the transferee,
assignee, subtenant or occupant and apply the net amount collected to the Rent
due from Tenant to Landlord under this Lease.

                                       10
<PAGE>   12

         12.1.5 If Tenant requests Landlord's consent to a sublease as defined
in paragraph 12.1.1, then Landlord shall have the option (to be exercised within
ten (10) business days after Landlord's receipt of Tenant's submission of
written request for Landlord's consent and all information reasonably requested
by Landlord regarding the proposed subtenant in connection therewith),
exercisable by Landlord in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel this
Lease as to the portion of the premises to be demised under the proposed
sublease as of the commencement date of the proposed sublease, in which event
this Lease, and the tenancy and occupancy of Tenant thereunder, as to that
portion of the premises to be demised under the proposed sublease, shall
terminate as if such termination date was the original Expiration Date of this
Lease. If Landlord should fail to notify Tenant in writing of such election
within such ten (10) business day period, Landlord shall be deemed to have
waived such termination right. With any termination of this Lease (in whole or
in part) pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, Tenant shall deliver up
possession of the subject portion of the Premises in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Lease and shall remove Tenant's property therein
in accordance with the applicable provision of this Lease.

SECTION 12.2. TENANT'S LIABILITY. Notwithstanding any assignment or sublease,
and notwithstanding the acceptance of Rent by Landlord from any such assignee or
sublessee, Tenant shall continue to remain liable for the payment of Rent
hereunder and for the performance of all of the agreements, conditions,
covenants and terms herein contained.

                        ARTICLE 13: OBLIGATION TO COMPLY

SECTION 13.1. OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT. Tenant shall, during the Term of this
Lease, at its sole cost and expense, comply with all valid laws, ordinances,
regulations, orders and requirements of any governmental authority which may now
or hereafter be applicable to the Premises or to its use, whether or not the
same shall interfere with the use or occupancy of the Premises, arising from (a)
Tenant's particular use of the Premises; (b) the particular manner or conduct of
Tenant's business or operation of its installations, equipment or other property
therein; (c) any cause or condition created by or at the instance of Tenant
which is unique to Tenant; or (d) breach of any of Tenant's obligations
hereunder, whether or not such compliance requires work which is structural or
non-structural, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen. Tenant shall
pay all of the costs, expenses, fines penalties and damages which may be
incurred by Landlord by reason or arising out of Tenant's failure to fully and
promptly comply with and observe the provisions of this Section. Tenant shall
give prompt notice to Landlord of any notice it receives of the violation of any
law or requirement of any public authority with respect to the Premises or the
use or occupation thereof. Landlord's and Tenant's respective obligations to
comply with laws shall include, without limitation, those laws and regulations
contemplated by Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as
amended. In the event Tenant receives any notice alleging violation of any of
the aforementioned laws, ordinances, regulations, orders, rules or requirements
relating to any portion of the Property; or any notice of regulatory action or
investigation instituted in connection therewith, Tenant shall provide written
notice to Landlord thereof within five (5) days after receipt of same by Tenant.

SECTION 13.2. RULES AND REGULATIONS. Tenant shall comply with all reasonable
rules and regulations now existing (See EXHIBIT "C"), or as may be published by
Landlord to tenants of the Building from time to time.

SECTION 13.3. ATTORNEYS' FEES. With respect to any default, failure to perform
or any other dispute between Tenant and Landlord arising out of this Lease, the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all
costs incurred, including reasonable attorney's costs and fees, which shall
include, but not be limited to, such costs and fees incurred prior to
institution of litigation or in litigation, including trial and appellate
review, and in arbitration, bankruptcy or other administrative or judicial
proceeding.

           ARTICLE 14: RIGHT OF LANDLORD TO PERFORM TENANT'S COVENANTS

SECTION 14.1. PAYMENT OR PERFORMANCE. Landlord shall have the right, upon ten
(10) days prior written notice to Tenant (or without notice in case of emergency
or in order to avoid any fine, penalty, or cost which may otherwise be imposed
or incurred), to make any payment or perform any act required of Tenant under
any provision in this Lease, and in exercising such right, to incur necessary
and incidental costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's costs and
fees. Nothing herein shall imply any obligation on the part of Landlord to make
any payment or perform any act required of Tenant, and the exercise of the right
to do so shall not constitute a release of

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<PAGE>   13

any obligation, waiver of any default or obligation of Landlord to make any
similar payment or perform any similar act in the future.

SECTION 14.2. REIMBURSEMENT. All payments made, and all costs and expenses
incurred in connection with Landlord's exercise of the right set forth in
Section 14.1, shall be reimbursed by Tenant within thirty (30) days after
receipt of a bill setting forth the amounts so expended. Any such payments,
costs and expenses made or incurred by Landlord shall be treated as Rent owed by
Tenant.

                  ARTICLE 15: NON-LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 15.1. INDEMNIFICATION.

         15.1.1 Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Landlord, and its
respective agents and employees, from and against any and all liabilities,
claims, demands, costs and expenses of every kind and nature (including
attorney's fees and costs incurred at trial, on appeal or in bankruptcy
proceedings), including those arising from any injury or damage to any person
(including death), property or business (1) sustained in or about the Property
resulting from the negligence or willful act of Tenant, its employees, agents,
servants, licensees or subtenants, or (2) resulting from the failure of Tenant
to perform its obligations under this Lease; provided, however, Tenant's
obligations under this section shall not apply to injury or damage to the extent
resulting from the negligence or willful act of Landlord, its agents or
employees.

         15.1.2 Landlord agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Tenant, and its
respective agents and employees, from and against any and all liabilities,
claims, demands, costs and expenses of every kind and nature (including
attorneys' fees and costs incurred at trial, on appeal or in bankruptcy
proceedings), arising from any injury or damage to any person (including death),
property or business (1) sustained in or about the Property and resulting from
the negligence or willful act of Landlord, its employees, agents, servants or
licensees, or (2) resulting from the failure of Landlord to perform its
obligations under this Lease; provided, however, Landlord's obligations under
this section shall not apply to injury or damage to the extent resulting from
the negligence or willful act of Tenant, or its respective agents or employees.

SECTION 15.2. RIGHT OF RECOVERY. Neither Landlord nor Tenant shall be liable to
the other or to an insurance company (by way of subrogation or otherwise)
insuring the other party for any loss or damage to any building, structure or
other tangible property, or any resulting loss of income, or losses under
worker's compensation laws and benefits, even though such loss or damage might
have been occasioned by the negligence of such party, its agents or employees,
to the extent such loss or damage is covered by insurance benefiting the party
suffering such loss or damage or was required to be covered by insurance
pursuant to this Lease.

SECTION 15.3. INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS; FORCE MAJEURE. Landlord and/or Tenant
shall not have any liability whatsoever to the other party, because: (a) one
party is unable to fulfill, or is delayed in fulfilling, any of its obligations
under this Lease by reason of strike, other labor trouble, governmental action
or inaction, controls or shortages of fuel, supplies, labor or materials, acts
of God or any other cause, whether similar or dissimilar, beyond the party's
reasonable control assuming prudent practices. Landlord shall not have any
liability for any failure or defect in the supply, quantity or character of
electricity, HVAC or water furnished to the Premises, by reason of any
requirement, act or omission of the public utility or others serving the
Building with electric energy, steam, oil, gas or water. No such Force Majeure
shall excuse Tenant's default in payment of Rent or other charges due under this
Lease.

                               ARTICLE 16: DEFAULT

SECTION 16.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Tenant shall be in default under this Lease if
any one or more of the following events shall occur:

         16.1.1 Tenant shall fail to pay any installment of the Rent or any
other expenses called for hereunder as and when the same shall become due and
payable within ten (10) days after Tenant receives written notice from Landlord
of Tenant's failure to pay the installment of Rent or other expense in question
(provided however, Tenant shall only be entitled to two (2) such notices of
default in each calendar year during the Term of this Lease); or

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

         16.1.2 Tenant shall default in the performance of or compliance with
any of the other terms or provisions of this Lease, and such default shall
continue for a period of thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice
thereof from Landlord to Tenant, or, in the case of any such default which
cannot, after making a diligent effort, be cured within said thirty (30) days,
Tenant shall fail to proceed within said thirty (30) day period to cure such
default and thereafter to prosecute the curing of same with all due diligence
(it being intended that as to a default not susceptible of being cured with due
diligence within such period of thirty (30) days, the time within which such
default may be cured shall be extended for such period as may be necessary to
permit the same to be cured with bona fide due diligence). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if at any time Landlord determines that such default may have a
material adverse effect on the Property, then Landlord shall notify Tenant and
the cure period shall terminate and Landlord may pursue its remedies for said
default as provided in Article 17; or

         16.1.3 Tenant shall assign, transfer, mortgage or encumber this Lease
or sublet the Premises in a manner not permitted by Article 12; or

         16.1.4 Tenant shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or any
Order for Relief be entered against it, or shall file any petition or answer
seeking any arrangement, reorganization, composition, re-adjustment or similar
relief under any present or future bankruptcy or other applicable law, or shall
seek or consent to or acquiesce in the appointment of any trustee, receiver, or
liquidator of Tenant of all or any substantial part of Tenant's properties; or

         16.1.5 If any creditor of Tenant shall file a petition in bankruptcy
against Tenant or for reorganization of Tenant, under state or federal law, and
if such petition is not discharged within ninety (90) days after the date on
which it is filed.

         16.1.6   Tenant shall vacate or abandon the Premises for a period in
excess of thirty (30) days.

SECTION 16.2. HOLDING OVER. If Tenant does not vacate the Premises upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant will be a tenant at
sufferance for the holdover period and all of the terms and provisions of this
Lease will be applicable during that period, except that Tenant will pay
Landlord (in addition to Additional Rent and any other sums payable under this
Lease) as Base Rent for the period of such holdover an amount equal to one and
one-half (1.5) times the Base Rent which would have been payable by Tenant had
the holdover period been a part of the original term of this Lease (without
waiver of Landlord's right to recover damages as permitted by law). Upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant agrees to vacate and
deliver the Premises, and all keys thereto, to Landlord upon delivery to Tenant
of notice from Landlord to vacate. No holding over by Tenant, whether with or
without the consent of Landlord will operate to extend the term of this Lease.
Tenant indemnifies Landlord against all claims made by any tenant or prospective
tenant against Landlord resulting from delay by Landlord in delivering
possession of the Premises to such other tenant or prospective tenant due to
Tenant's failure to timely vacate the Premises.

                          ARTICLE 17: REMEDIES/DAMAGES

In the event Tenant is in default under this Lease as provided in Article 16,
Landlord may elect any or all of the following remedies:

SECTION 17.1. TERMINATION OF LEASE. By written notice to Tenant, designate a
date upon which the Lease shall terminate ("Termination Date"), and thereupon,
on the Termination Date, this Lease and all rights of Tenant hereunder shall
terminate. Such termination by Landlord shall not affect the obligations of
Tenant arising under the Lease prior to the Termination Date or the other
remedies of Landlord.

SECTION 17.2. TERMINATION OF TENANT'S POSSESSION. Landlord may elect to
terminate Tenant's possessory rights, without terminating the Lease, and upon
such election, Tenant shall surrender the Premises to Landlord, and Landlord, at
any time after such termination, may, without further notice, re-enter and
repossess the Premises without being liable to any prosecution or damages
therefore, and no person claiming through or under Tenant or by virtue of any
statute or of any order of any court shall be entitled to possession of the
Premises. At any time or from time to time after any such termination of
Tenant's possession, Landlord may relet the Premises or any part thereof, in the
name of Landlord or otherwise, for such term or terms and on such conditions as
Landlord, in its sole discretion, may determine, and may collect and receive the
rents therefore. Landlord shall not be responsible or

                                       13
<PAGE>   15

liable for any failure to relet the Premises. The termination of Tenant's
possession shall not relieve Tenant of its liability and obligations under this
Lease, including the obligation to pay Rent, and such liability and obligations
shall survive any such termination. Any Rent or other monetary obligation of
Tenant that has been abated, deferred or forgiven by Landlord in this Lease or
any amendment thereto, and the cost of all Tenant Improvements provided or paid
for by Landlord pursuant to Section 7.1 above, shall immediately become due and
payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default by Tenant under this Lease.
If Landlord, at its option shall relet the Premises during said period, Landlord
shall credit Tenant with the net rents received by Landlord from such reletting,
such net rents to be determined by first deducting from the gross rents, as and
when received by Landlord, the reasonable expenses incurred or paid by Landlord
in terminating this Lease and in securing possession thereof, as well as the
expenses of reletting, including, without limitation, the alteration and
preparation of the Premises for new tenants, brokers' commissions, attorneys'
fees and all other expenses properly chargeable against the Premises and the
rental therefrom. It is hereby understood that any such reletting may be for a
period shorter or longer than the remaining Term of this Lease but in no event
shall Tenant be entitled to receive any excess of such net rents over the sum
payable by Tenant to Landlord hereunder, nor shall Tenant be entitled in any
suit for the collection of damages pursuant hereto to a credit in respect of any
net rents from a reletting, except to the extent that such rents are actually
received by Landlord.

SECTION 17.3. DAMAGES. Landlord may elect, whether this Lease or Tenant's
possession is terminated or not, to recover damages from the Tenant in
accordance with the following provisions:

         17.3.1 Lawsuits for the recovery of such damages, or any installments
thereof, may be brought by Landlord from time to time at its election, and
nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require Landlord to postpone suit
until the date when the Term of this Lease would have expired, nor limit or
preclude recovery by Landlord against Tenant of any sums or damages which, in
addition to the damages particularly provided above, Landlord may lawfully be
entitled by reason or any default hereunder on the part of Tenant. All remedies
of Landlord shall be cumulative and concurrent.

                           ARTICLE 18: EMINENT DOMAIN

SECTION 18.1. SUBSTANTIAL TAKING. If all or a substantial part of the Property
are taken for any public or quasi-public use under any governmental
requirements, or by right of eminent domain or by purchase in lieu thereof and
such taking would prevent or materially interfere with the use of the Premises
for the purpose for which it is then being used, then, at the option of either
Landlord or Tenant, this Lease will terminate and the Rent and all other charges
will be abated during the unexpired portion of this Lease effective on the date
physical possession is taken by the condemning authority.

SECTION 18.2. PARTIAL TAKING. Following a taking of any part of the Property for
any public or quasi-public use under any governmental requirements or by right
of eminent domain or by purchase in lieu thereof, if this Lease is not
terminated as provided in Section 18.1 above, then subject to the prior rights
of a Superior Mortgage, Landlord will, to the extent of condemnation proceeds
(excluding any proceeds for land) actually received by Landlord, restore the
Property and other improvements on the Property to the extent necessary to make
the Premises reasonably tenantable.

         18.2.1 The Base Rent and all other charges payable under this Lease
during the period for which the Premises are untenantable will be reduced to an
amount determined by multiplying the Rent that otherwise would be payable but
for this provision by the ratio that part of the Premises not rendered
untenantable bears to the entire of the Premises prior to the taking.

                                       14
<PAGE>   16

         18.2.2 If Landlord fails to substantially complete those portions of
the restoration which are Landlord's obligations hereunder, within 180 working
days of the date of the physical possession by the condemning authority, Tenant
may at its option terminate this Lease by delivering written notice of
termination to Landlord.

         18.2.3 Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost and expense shall proceed with
reasonable diligence to restore the remaining parts of the Premises which are
deemed Landlord's Property and Tenant's Property pursuant hereto, to
substantially their former condition to the extent feasible, subject to
reasonable changes which Tenant shall deem desirable and Landlord shall approve.
Such work by Tenant shall be deemed alterations and subject to the provisions of
this Lease for alterations.

SECTION 18.3. CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS. All compensation awarded for any taking (or
the proceeds of private sale in lieu thereof), whether for the whole or a part
of the Premises, will be the property of Landlord (except Tenant's interest in
the Premises); provided, however, Landlord will have no interest in any award
made to Tenant for loss of business or for taking of Tenant's fixtures and other
property, moving expenses, leasehold improvements paid for by Tenant, within the
Premises if a separate award for such items is made to Tenant.

                           ARTICLE 19: QUIET ENJOYMENT

Landlord agrees that Tenant, upon paying all Rent and all other charges herein
provided for and observing and keeping the covenants, agreements, terms and
conditions of this Lease and the rules and regulations of Landlord affecting the
Premises on its part to be performed, shall lawfully and quietly hold, occupy
and enjoy the Premises during the Term hereof, expressly subject to the terms,
limitations and conditions contained in this Lease.

                    ARTICLE 20: SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT

SECTION 20.1. SUBORDINATION, ATTORNMENT AND NON-DISTURBANCE. This Lease, and all
rights of Tenant hereunder, are and shall be subordinate to any mortgage,
long-term lease such as a master lease, ground lease, deed of trust or other
encumbrance, whether now of record or recorded after the date of this Lease,
affecting all or any part of the Property. Such subordination is self-operative
without any further act of Tenant. Any mortgage, long-term lease such as a
master lease, ground lease, deed of trust or other encumbrance to which this
Lease is subject and subordinate is hereinafter referred to as a "Superior
Mortgage", and the holder of a Superior Mortgage is hereinafter referred to as a
"Superior Mortgagee". If any Superior Mortgagee shall succeed to the rights of
Landlord hereunder, whether through deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure
action or delivery of a new lease or deed, then, at the request of such party
(hereinafter referred to as "Successor Landlord"), Tenant shall attorn to and
recognize such Successor Landlord as Tenant's Landlord under this Lease and
shall promptly execute and deliver any instrument such Successor Landlord may
reasonably request to evidence such attornment subject to reasonable approval by
Tenant. Upon such attornment, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect
as a direct Lease between Successor Landlord and Tenant, upon all terms,
conditions, and covenants as set forth in this Lease, except that the Successor
Landlord shall not: (a) be liable for any previous act or omission of Landlord
under this Lease; (b) be subject to any offset; or (c) be bound by any previous
modification of this Lease or by any previous prepayment, unless such
modification or prepayment shall have been previously approved in writing by
such Superior Mortgagee if such approval was required. Further, upon such
attornment, Landlord shall be released from any future obligation hereunder.
Tenant shall, within fifteen (15) days of a request by Landlord, execute and
deliver any documents or instruments that may be required by Superior Mortgagee
or Landlord to confirm such subordination or attornment. So long as Tenant is
not in default under this Lease, Tenant's possession of the Premises and
Tenant's rights and privileges under this Lease shall not be diminished or
interfered with by any Successor Landlord during the term of this Lease. This
particular provision shall be binding upon any assigns or successors in interest
to Landlord. Notwithstanding the subordination and attornment of this Lease to
any Superior Mortgagee which presently exists or which may hereafter be made, or
to any renewal, modification, replacement or extension hereafter of any Superior
Mortgagee, such Superior Mortgagee, by separate recordable agreement, shall
agree that so long as this Lease is in effect and not in default, Tenant's
leasehold interest under this Lease shall not be terminated or disturbed. Such
non-disturbance agreement shall also include subordination and attornment
provisions satisfactory to Superior Mortgagees.

                                       15
<PAGE>   17

SECTION 20.2. NOTICE TO LANDLORD AND SUPERIOR MORTGAGEE. If any act or omission
of Landlord would give Tenant the right, immediately or after the lapse of a
period of time, to cancel this Lease or to claim a partial or total eviction,
Tenant shall not exercise such right: (a) until it has given written notice of
such act or omission to Landlord and any Superior Mortgagee; and (b) until a
reasonable period of time for remedying such act or omission shall have elapsed
following the giving of such notice and following the time when such Superior
Mortgagee shall have become entitled under such Superior Mortgage to remedy the
same. In the event any Superior Mortgagee shall request reasonable modifications
to this Lease as to term, renewal or financial obligations, as a condition to
financing or refinancing, Tenant shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or defer
in providing its consent thereto.

                     ARTICLE 21: LANDLORD'S RIGHT OF ACCESS

SECTION 21.1. ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. Except for the space within the
inside surfaces of all walls, hung ceilings, floors, windows, and doors bounding
the Premises, all of the Building including, without limitation, exterior walls,
core interior walls and doors and any core corridor entrance, any terraces or
roofs adjacent to the Premises, and any space in or adjacent to the Premises
used for shafts, stacks, pipes, conduits, fan rooms, ducts, electric or other
utilities, sinks, or other facilities of the Building, and the use thereof, as
well as access thereto throughout the Premises for the purposes of operation,
maintenance, decoration and repair, are reserved to Landlord. Landlord reserves
the right and Tenant shall permit Landlord, to install, erect, use and maintain
pipes, ducts and conduits in and through the Premises. Landlord shall be allowed
to take all materials into and upon the Premises that may be required in
connection therewith, without any liability to Tenant and without any reduction
of Tenant's covenants and obligations hereunder. Landlord and its agents shall
have the right to enter upon the Premises for the purpose of making any repairs
therein or thereto which shall be considered necessary or desirable by Landlord,
in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with Tenant in the conduct of
Tenant's business on the Premises; and in addition, Landlord and its agents
shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time in cases of emergency.

SECTION 21.2. ACCESS FOR INSPECTION AND SHOWING. Upon reasonable notice to
Tenant, during normal business hours, in a manner that does not interfere with
Tenant's use of the Premises, Landlord and its agents shall have the right to
enter and/or pass through the Premises at any time to examine the Premises and
to show them to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or lessees of the Building.
During the period of six (6) months prior to the Expiration Date of this Lease,
Landlord and its agents may exhibit the Premises to prospective tenants.

SECTION 21.3. LANDLORD'S ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. Landlord reserves the
right to make such changes, alterations, additions, and improvements in or to
the Building and the fixtures and equipment thereof, as well as in or to the
street entrances, doors, halls, passages, elevators, escalators and stairways
thereof, and other public portions of the Building and the Property, as Landlord
shall deem necessary or desirable, and no such alterations or changes shall be
deemed a breach of Landlord's covenant of quiet enjoyment or a constructive
eviction.

                        ARTICLE 22: SIGNS AND OBSTRUCTION

SECTION 22.1. SIGNS. Tenant shall not place or maintain or cause to be placed or
maintained upon any exterior door, roof, wall or window of the Premises or the
Building, any sign, awning, canopy or advertising matter of any kind, nor place
or maintain any decoration, lettering or advertising matter on the glass of any
window or door of the Premises, except as previously approved in writing by
Landlord, in Landlord's sole discretion. Tenant shall not place or maintain any
freestanding sign within or upon the Property, without first obtaining
Landlord's express prior written consent. No interior or exterior sign visible
from the exterior of the Building shall be permitted. Tenant further agrees to
maintain any such signage approved by Landlord in good condition and repair at
all times and to remove the same at the end of the Term of this Lease if
requested by Landlord. Upon removal thereof, Tenant agrees to repair any damage
to the Property caused by such installation and/or removal. The Building
standard interior and exterior signage identifying Tenant's office shall be
provided by Landlord, at Landlord's expense. Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost and
expense but subject to Landlord's reasonable approval, shall have the exclusive
right for facia signage on the exterior of the Building.

SECTION 22.2. OBSTRUCTION. Tenant shall not obstruct the corridors, elevators,
stairs, common areas, sidewalks, parking lots or other public portions of the
Property in any manner whatsoever.

                                       16
<PAGE>   18

                    ARTICLE 23: RENEWALS AND PURCHASE OPTIONS

SECTION 23.1. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO LEASE SPACE. Provided Tenant is not in
default hereunder, if during the term of this Lease, Landlord shall first offer
to rent space in the Building which is available for rent to Tenant on the same
terms and conditions as this Lease. Landlord shall communicate the existence of
such offer to Tenant in writing and Tenant shall have ten (10) business days
within which to accept or reject such offer. If Tenant does not accept such
offer within said ten (10) business day period, then Tenant shall be deemed to
have forever waived its right of first refusal as to such space and Landlord
shall be free to lease such space as Landlord deems appropriate.

SECTION 23.2. RENEWAL OPTION. Provided Tenant is not in default hereunder,
Tenant shall have the option to renew this Lease for two (2) additional terms of
three (3) years ("Renewal Term") which Renewal Term shall commence on the date
following the Expiration Date. The terms, covenants and conditions during the
initial Term (the "Initial Term"), shall be projected and carried over into
Renewal Term, except as specifically set forth hereinafter.

         23.2.1 The Base Rent during the Renewal Term shall be the then Market
Rent (as defined in Section below).

         23.2.2 "Market Rent" shall mean the "fair market rent" for the
Premises, as of the commencement date of the renewal Term (the "Determination
Date"), based upon the rents generally in effect for comparable office space in
the area in which the Premises is located. Market Rent (for the purposes of
determining the Base Rent during the applicable Renewal Term) shall be
determined on what is commonly known as "gross" basis; that is, in computing
Market Rent, it shall be assumed that all real estate taxes and expenses for
customary services are included in such Market Rent and are not passed through
to the Tenant as separate additional charges. The term "fair market rent" shall
mean the annual amount per rentable square foot that a willing, comparable,
non-equity, non-renewal, non-expansion new tenant would pay, and a willing,
landlord of a comparable first-class office building in the Jacksonville,
Florida area would accept at arm's length, giving appropriate consideration to
annual rental rates per rentable square foot, the type of escalation clauses
(including, but without limitation, operating expenses, real estate taxes, CPI),
the extent of liability under the escalation clauses (e.g., whether determined
on a "net lease" basis or by increases over a particular base year or base
dollar amount), length of the term, size, location and condition of premises
being leased, and other generally applicable terms and conditions of tenancy for
the space in question.

         23.2.3 In the event Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree on the Fair
Market Rent for the Renewal Term within fifteen (15) days of Tenant's exercise
of such option, then, the fair market rental value of the Premises will be
determined within seven (7) days after the expiration of the fifteen (15) day
period set forth above, Landlord and Tenant will each appoint a real estate
appraiser with at least five (5) years' full-time commercial appraisal
experience in the greater Jacksonville area. The two (2) appraisers appointed
pursuant to this paragraph will meet promptly and attempt to elect a third
appraiser meeting the qualifications stated in this paragraph. If they are
unable to agree on the third appraiser, either Landlord or Tenant, by giving ten
(10) days' prior notice to the other, can apply to the then-presiding judge of
the County Court for the selection of a third appraiser who meets the
qualifications stated in this paragraph. Landlord and Tenant shall each pay
one-half ( 1/2) of the cost of appointing the third appraiser and of paying the
third appraiser's fee. The third appraiser, however selected, must be a person
who has not previously acted in any capacity for either Landlord or Tenant.
Within thirty (30) days after the selection of the third appraiser, the third
appraiser shall set the then-fair market rental value of the Premises. If either
Landlord or Tenant does not appoint an appraiser within ten (10) days after the
other has given notice of the name of its appraiser, the single appraiser
appointed will be the sole appraiser and will set the then-fair market rental
value of the Premises. As used herein, the "then-fair market rental value of the
Premises" means what a Landlord under no compulsion to lease the Premises and a
tenant under no compulsion to lease the Premises would determine as Rent for the
Renewal Term, as of the commencement of the Renewal Term, taking into
consideration the uses permitted under this Lease, the quality, size, design and
location of the Premises, and the rent for comparable buildings located in the
greater Jacksonville Market. Tenant shall have a period of fifteen (15) days
from receipt of the determination of "Fair Market Rent" to accept the same and
ratify the extension of the Lease Term. Unless Tenant shall ratify and accept
"Fair Market Rent" as established pursuant to this Section , Tenant shall be
deemed to have abandoned the Renewal Option and this Lease shall terminate on
the Expiration Date as scheduled.

                                       17
<PAGE>   19

SECTION 23.3. OPTION TO PURCHASE. At anytime during the 8th through the 10th
years of the Lease Term (the "Purchase Option Period"), Tenant have the right
and option to purchase the Building (as the same is more particularly described
on EXHIBIT "A") (the "Purchase Option") upon the following terms and conditions:

         23.3.1 The Purchase Option shall continue in effect only so long as
there shall exist no uncured Event of Default under the terms of this Lease and
shall expire automatically and irrevocably at the end of the Purchase Option
Period.

         23.3.2 The Purchase Option must be exercised, if at all, in writing and
delivered during the Purchase Option Period to the Landlord and accompanied by
evidence of Tenant's delivery to Ford, Jeter, Bowlus & Duss, P.A., as Escrow
Agent the sum of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000.00) as a binder deposit
(collectively, "Tenant's Notice of Exercise").

         23.3.3 When exercised, the Purchase Option shall become a binding
contract of purchase and sale between the parties which is specifically
enforceable by both Landlord and Tenant.

         23.3.4 Tenant shall pay the costs of obtaining title and survey
evidence and all costs in conjunction with Tenant's investigation into the
suitability of the property, cost of recording the Special Warranty Deed, costs
attributable to Tenant's financing and title insurance endorsements required by
Tenant's lender.

         23.3.5 Landlord shall pay the cost of an Owner's Policy of title
insurance through an agent selected by Landlord and the documentary stamps due
on the special warranty deed, and the cost of all releases and satisfactions
necessary to convey marketable, fee simple title to the property subject only to
leases approved by Tenant, taxes for the then current year and easements
approved by Tenant.

         23.3.6 Each party shall bear its own respective attorney fees and
costs.

         23.3.7 Closing shall take place at Landlord's and Tenant's mutual
agreement.

         23.3.8 The purchase price shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of
the Property as set forth below (the "Option Purchase Price"), subject to
customary prorations and adjustments.

         23.3.9 "Fair Market Value of the Property" shall mean that price as of
the date on which Tenant issues Tenant's Notice of Exercise that a willing,
comparable, unrelated third party purchaser would pay, and a willing, owner of a
comparable first-class office building in the Jacksonville, Florida area would
accept at arm's length for the Building. The Fair Market Value of the Property
will be determined based upon the sales prices generally in effect for
comparable real property in the area in which the Building is located and shall
be determined with reference to the amount per square foot. giving appropriate
consideration to assessed values, annual rental rates per rentable square foot,
income stream, size, location and condition of the building being sold, and
other generally applicable terms and conditions of purchase and sale for the
real property in question.

         23.3.10 In the event Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree on the
Fair Market Value of the Property within fifteen (15) days of Tenant's Notice of
Exercise, then, the Fair Market Value of the Property will be determined within
seven (7) days after the expiration of said fifteen (15) day period. Landlord
and Tenant will each appoint a real estate appraiser with at least five (5)
years' full-time commercial appraisal experience in the greater Jacksonville
area. The two (2) appraisers appointed pursuant to this paragraph will meet
promptly and attempt to elect a third appraiser meeting the qualifications
stated in this paragraph. If they are unable to agree on the third appraiser,
either Landlord or Tenant, by giving ten (10) days' prior notice to the other,
can apply to the then-presiding judge of the County Court for the selection of a
third appraiser who meets the qualifications stated in this paragraph. Landlord
and Tenant shall each pay one-half ( 1/2) of the cost of appointing the third
appraiser and of paying the third appraiser's fee. The third appraiser, however
selected, must be a person who has not previously acted in any capacity for
either Landlord or Tenant. Within thirty (30) days after the selection of the
third appraiser, the third appraiser shall set the then Fair Market Value of the
Property. If either Landlord or Tenant does not appoint an appraiser within ten
(10) days after the other has given notice of the name of its appraiser, the
single appraiser appointed will be the sole appraiser and will set the then Fair
Market Value of the Property.

                                       18
<PAGE>   20

         23.3.11 Unless Tenant shall ratify and accept the established "Fair
Market Value of the Property" as established pursuant to this Article 23, Tenant
shall be deemed to have abandoned the Purchase Option, which shall thereafter be
void and of no further force or effect, provided however that the Lease shall
continue in full force and effect as set forth herein.

SECTION 23.4. THIRD PARTY OFFER. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to
the contrary, upon receiving a bona fide written offer of purchase for the
Property from a third party offeror within the Purchase Option Period, deemed
acceptable to Landlord, Landlord shall deliver a copy of same to Tenant. Tenant
shall have twenty (20) days from delivery of said offer by Landlord to exercise
its Option to purchase on the terms and conditions set forth in the third party
offer (except that such purchase and sale shall be all-cash, as-is and close
within thirty (30) days of Tenant's acceptance of the same), said exercise to be
by Tenant's providing Landlord with Tenant's Notice of Exercise as set forth in
Section 23.3.2 above.

         23.4.1 In the event Tenant shall fail to exercise the Purchase Option,
Landlord shall be free to consummate the sale in accordance with the
then-pending contract and Tenant's option to purchase pursuant hereto shall
terminate upon the closing of said transaction.

         23.4.2 In the event Landlord shall not consummate the sale to the third
party offeror, Tenant's Option pursuant to Section 23.3 above shall survive and
continue in full force and effect until the expiration of the Purchase Option in
accordance with the provisions of this Article .

                               ARTICLE 24: NOTICES

         SECTION 24.1. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, and other
communications which are required or permitted to be given under this Lease
shall be in writing and shall be given to the party at its address or telecopy
number set forth below. Each notice shall be deemed to have been duly given and
received : (a) as of the date and time the same are personally delivered with a
receipted copy, (b) if given by telecopy, when the telecopy is transmitted to
the party's telecopy number specified below and confirmation of complete receipt
is received by that transmitting party during normal business hours or the next
Business Day if not confirmed during normal business hours; (c) if delivered by
U.S. Mail, within three (3) days after depositing with the United States Postal
Service, postage prepaid by certified mail, return receipt requested, or (d) if
given by a nationally recognized or reputable overnight delivery service within
one (1) day after deposit with such delivery service.

                  AS TO LANDLORD: PONTE VEDRA MANAGEMENT GROUP, LTD.
                                  5000 Sawgrass Village Circle Suite 28
                                  Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
                                  Telefax (904) 273-6068

                  With a copy to  John S. Duss, IV, Esq.
                                  Ford, Jeter, Bowlus & Duss, P.A.
                                  10110 San Jose Blvd.
                                  Jacksonville, FL 32257
                                  Telefax No.: (904) 268-8930

                  AS TO TENANT:   Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc.
                                  3850 N. Causeway Boulevard, Suite 1040
                                  Metairie, Louisiana 70002
                                  Telefax No.: (504) 833-8832
                                  Attention: Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.

                            ARTICLE 25: MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 25.1. ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY AND REPRESENTATION. Tenant agrees to
indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all loss, claim,
liability, damages, injuries to person, property, or natural resources, cost,
expense, action or cause of action, arising in connection with the release or
presence of any "Hazardous Substances" at the Property, through the acts of
Tenant, its officers, employees, contractors, agents or invitees, whether or not

                                       19
<PAGE>   21

foreseeable and regardless of the source of such release or the circumstances
attendant thereto. Landlord agrees to indemnify and hold Tenant harmless from
and against any and all loss, claim, liability, damages, injuries to person,
property, or natural resources, cost, expense, action or cause of action,
arising in connection with the release or presence of any "Hazardous Substances"
at the Property, through the acts of Landlord, its officers, employees,
contractors, agents or invitees, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of
the source of such release or the circumstances attendant thereto. The foregoing
indemnities include, without limitation, all costs in law or in equity of
removal, remediation of any kind, and disposal of such Hazardous Substances; all
costs of determining whether the Property is in compliance and to cause the
Property to be in compliance with all applicable environmental laws; all costs
associated with claims for damages to persons, property, or natural resources;
and reasonable attorneys' and consultant's fees and costs, whether or not
litigation is instituted. For the purposes of the definition, Hazardous
Substances includes, without limitation, any toxic or hazardous wastes,
pollutants or substances, including, without limitation, asbestos, PCB's,
petroleum products and by-products, substances defined or listed as "hazardous
substances" or "toxic substances" or similarly identified in or pursuant to the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et. seq., or as identified in or pursuant to the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act 49 U.S.C. Section 1802 et. seq. Landlord
represents and warrants to Tenant that to the best of Landlord's actual
knowledge, without obligation of independent inquiry and based solely upon the
contents of third party environmental reports obtained by Landlord in connection
with its purchase and/or ownership of the Building, neither the Premises or the
Building contain any Hazardous Substances in violation of applicable law.

SECTION 25.2. RADON GAS. Pursuant to Florida Statutes, Section 404.056(7), the
following disclosure is required by law: Radon is a naturally occurring
radioactive gas that, when it has accumulated in a building in sufficient
quantities, may present health risks to persons who are exposed to it over time.
Levels of Radon that exceed federal and state guidelines have been found in
buildings in Florida. Additional information regarding Radon and radon testing
may be obtained from your county public health unit.

SECTION 25.3. BROKER COMMISSION. Each party represents and warrants to the other
neither has (a) employed a real estate broker; or (b) entered into any agreement
or taken any action which would result in a commission, finder's fee, or other
similar charge being payable on account of the sale of the Property. Each party
hereto agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other against any other cost or
expense, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred by a party by
reason of a claim for a brokerage commission, brokerage fee, or brokerage charge
arising out of actions of the other indemnifying party, which agreement shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Lease or the Closing of any
exercise of the Purchase Option.

SECTION 25.4. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES. Each party agrees, at any time and from
time to time as reasonably requested by the other party, to execute and deliver
to the other a statement certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full
force and effect (or if there have been modifications, that the same are in full
force and effect as modified and stating the modifications), certifying the
dates to which the Base Rent and Additional Rent have been paid, stating whether
or not the other party is in default in performance of any of its obligations
under this Lease, and, if so, specifying each such default, and stating whether
or not any event has occurred which, with the giving of notice or passage of
time, or both, would constitute such a default, and, if so, specifying each such
event. Tenant also shall include in any such statements such other information
concerning this Lease as Landlord may reasonably request. A form of such
Estoppel Certificate is attached hereto as EXHIBIT "B". In the event either
party fails to comply with this Section, such failure shall constitute a
material breach of the Lease.

SECTION 25.5. NO RECORDATION. This Lease shall not be recorded by Tenant. Any
attempted recordation by Tenant shall entitle Landlord to the remedies provided
for Tenant's default. At the request of Landlord, Tenant shall promptly execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Landlord a Memorandum of Lease with respect to this
Lease, and a Memorandum of Modification of Lease with respect to any
modification of this Lease, prepared by Landlord and sufficient for recording.
Such Memorandum shall not be deemed to change or otherwise affect any of the
obligations or provisions of this Lease.

SECTION 25.6. GOVERNING LAW. This Lease shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, and in the event litigation
arises between the parties in connection with any of the terms of this Lease,
venue shall lie in the Circuit Court in St. Johns County, Florida. If any
provision of this Lease or the application thereof to any person or circumstance
shall, for any reason and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the
remainder of this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. The table of
contents, captions, headings and titles in this Lease are solely for convenience
of reference and shall not affect its interpretation. This Lease shall be
construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction
against the party causing this Lease to be drafted. Each covenant, agreement,
obligation, or other provision of this Lease on Tenant's part to be performed,
shall be deemed and construed as a separate and independent covenant of Tenant,
not dependent on any other provision of this Lease. All terms and words used in
this Lease, regardless of the number or

                                       20
<PAGE>   22

gender in which they are used, shall be deemed to include any other number and
any other gender, as the context may require.

SECTION 25.7. NO PARTNERSHIP OR JOINT VENTURE. Nothing contained in this Lease
will be deemed or construed to create a partnership or joint venture between
Landlord and Tenant, or to create any other relationship between the parties
other than that of Landlord and Tenant.

SECTION 25.8. APPROVAL BY SUPERIOR MORTGAGEE. If required by a Superior
Mortgagee, this Lease shall not become binding upon Landlord until approval of
the Lease by Landlord's Superior Mortgagee for the Property, notice of which
requirement by a Superior Mortgage is given to Tenant at the time the same is
executed by Landlord.

SECTION 25.9. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Prior to the Commencement Date, and from
time to time thereafter, Tenant shall provide Landlord, upon written notice
including reason for such request, its most current and complete financial
statement including, but not limited to, its balance sheet and profit and loss
statement, certified by an officer of Tenant. Tenant shall provide these
statements to Landlord upon thirty (30) days written notice from Landlord.

SECTION 25.10. CAPACITY TO EXECUTE LEASE. If Tenant is other than a natural
person, Tenant represents that it is legally constituted, in good standing and
authorized to conduct business in the State of Florida. Tenant further
represents that the person who is executing this Lease on its behalf has the
full power and authority to perform such execution and deliver the Lease to
Landlord, and that upon such execution and delivery, the Lease shall be valid
and binding upon Tenant in accordance with its respective terms and conditions.
To further evidence the foregoing, upon request by Landlord, Tenant shall
deliver to Landlord an appropriate corporate or partnership resolution
specifying that the signatory to the Lease has been duly authorized to execute
same on behalf of Tenant, and a Certificate of Good Standing from the State of
Florida if Tenant is anything other than a natural person or a general
partnership.

SECTION 25.11. EXCULPATION OF LANDLORD. Landlord's obligations and liability to
Tenant with respect to this Lease shall be limited solely to Landlord's interest
in the Property, and neither Landlord nor any of the partners of Landlord, nor
any officer, director, or shareholder of any of the partners of Landlord, shall
have any personal liability whatsoever with respect to this Lease.

SECTION 25.12. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED BY AND BETWEEN
LANDLORD AND TENANT THAT THE RESPECTIVE PARTIES HERETO SHALL, AND THEY HEREBY
DO, WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY
EITHER OF THE PARTIES AGAINST THE OTHER ON ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY
WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS LEASE, THE RELATIONSHIP OF LANDLORD AND TENANT OR
TENANT'S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, OR BY ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT OR COURSE
OF DEALING.

SECTION 25.13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Lease constitutes the entire understanding
between the parties and shall bind the parties, their successors and assigns. No
representations, except as herein expressly set forth, have been made by either
party to the other, and this Lease cannot be amended or modified except by a
writing signed by Landlord and Tenant. This Agreement amends and restates and
supersedes in its entirety that certain Lease Agreement, dated as of October 5,
1999, between the parties hereto with respect to the Premises.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

                                       21
<PAGE>   23

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease the day and
year first above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of:

<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
       /s/ David Verret                          ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
-------------------------------------------
       Name: David Verret

       /s/ Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Jr.         By:   /s/ Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.
-------------------------------------------          -------------------------------------------
       Name: Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Jr.             Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.
                                                       President and Chief Executive Officer

       /s/ H. Hope Hana
-------------------------------------------
       Name: H. Hope Hana                        PONTE VEDRA MANAGEMENT  GROUP,  LTD., a
                                                 Florida limited partnership

       /s/ Lauri Vickery                         By: PVM Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, its
-------------------------------------------      corporate general partner
       Name: Lauri Vickery

                                                 By:   /s/ Gasper Lazzara, Jr.
                                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                       Gasper Lazzara, Jr.
                                                       President
</TABLE>

                                       22<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF APRIL 7, 2000

                                      AMONG

                      ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.,

                                    AS BUYER

                                       AND

                            APPLE ORTHODONTIX, INC.,

                              DEBTOR IN POSSESSION,

                                       AND

                       APPLE ORTHODONTIX OF CANADA, INC.,

                      VICTORIA ORTHODONTIC MANAGEMENT LTD.,

                             489147 ONTARIO LIMITED,

                            RUTH MANAGEMENT INC., AND

                                265084 B.C. LTD.,

                                   AS SELLERS

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE 1.  DEFINED TERMS AND INTERPRETATION......................................................................1
         1.1.     Defined Terms...................................................................................1
         1.2.     Interpretation..................................................................................1

ARTICLE 2.  SALE AND PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ASSETS...................................................................2
         2.1.     Purchase of the Assets..........................................................................2
         2.2.     Purchase of Canadian Assets.....................................................................3
         2.3.     Excluded Assets.................................................................................4
         2.4.     Assets Free and Clear...........................................................................4
         2.5.     Assumed Liabilities; Excluded Liabilities.......................................................4
         2.6.     Purchase Consideration..........................................................................5
         2.7.     Purchase Price Adjustment.......................................................................5
         2.8.     Closing........................................................................................10
         2.9.     Closing Deliveries.............................................................................10
         2.10.    Normal Prorations..............................................................................10
         2.11.    Further Acts and Assurances....................................................................10

ARTICLE 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS........................................................11
         3.1.     Corporate Organization.........................................................................11
         3.2.     Authorization; Binding Agreement...............................................................11
         3.3.     Consents and Approvals.........................................................................12
         3.4.     No Conflicts...................................................................................12
         3.5.     Reports and Financial Statements...............................................................12
         3.6.     Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.............................................................13
         3.7.     Litigation.....................................................................................13
         3.8.     Compliance with Law............................................................................13
         3.9.     Title to Assets................................................................................13
         3.10.    Assets.........................................................................................14
         3.11.    Employees of the Sellers.......................................................................15
         3.12.    Taxes..........................................................................................15
         3.13.    Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA..................................................................16
         3.14.    Labor Controversies............................................................................16
         3.15.    Insurance......................................................................................16
         3.16.    Environmental Matters..........................................................................17
         3.17.    Brokers and Finders............................................................................17
         3.18.    No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets.........................................................17
         3.19.    Reorganization Proceedings.....................................................................17

ARTICLE 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER..........................................................17
         4.1.     Corporate Organization.........................................................................17
         4.2.     Authorization; Binding Agreement...............................................................17
         4.3.     Consents and Approvals.........................................................................18
         4.4.     No Conflicts...................................................................................18
         4.5.     Financing......................................................................................18

ARTICLE 5.  CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.....................................................................18
         5.1.     Notice of the Motion and Order.................................................................18
         5.2.     Orders.........................................................................................18
         5.3.     No Solicitation of Other Offers................................................................19
         5.4.     Agreement To Cooperate.........................................................................20
         5.5.     Public Statements..............................................................................21
         5.6.     Non-Competition................................................................................21
         5.7.     Access.........................................................................................21
         5.8.     Conduct of the Business........................................................................21
         5.9.     Changes in Representations and Warranties; Updated Schedules...................................23
</TABLE>

                                       i

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
         5.10.    Transfer Tax...................................................................................23
         5.11.    Presentation of Acquisition Proposal to Bankruptcy Court.......................................24
         5.12.    Canadian Sellers Board and Shareholder Approvals...............................................24

ARTICLE 6.  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER...............................................................24
         6.1.     Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants.......................................24
         6.2.     Entry of the Orders............................................................................24
         6.3.     Amendments to Service Agreements...............................................................24
         6.4.     Material Adverse Effect........................................................................25
         6.5.     Consents; HSR..................................................................................25
         6.6.     No Proceedings.................................................................................25
         6.7.     Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer.........................................................25
         6.8.     Dismissal of Litigation Against Service Agreement Parties......................................25
         6.9.     Certificates...................................................................................25

ARTICLE 7.  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS.............................................................26
         7.1.     Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants.......................................26
         7.2.     Entry of the Orders............................................................................26
         7.3.     Consents; HSR..................................................................................26
         7.4.     No Proceedings.................................................................................26
         7.5.     Certificates...................................................................................26
         7.6.     Mutual General Release and Covenant Not to Sue.................................................27
         7.7      Amendment to Service Agreement.................................................................27

ARTICLE 8.  AMENDMENT; TERMINATION...............................................................................27
         8.1.     Amendment......................................................................................27
         8.2.     Termination....................................................................................27
         8.3.     Effect of Termination..........................................................................28
         8.4.     Break-Up Fee and Expenses......................................................................28

ARTICLE 9.  GENERAL..............................................................................................29
         9.1.     Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements........................................29
         9.2.     Notices........................................................................................29
         9.3.     Entire Agreement...............................................................................29
         9.4.     Governing Law..................................................................................30
         9.5.     Expenses.......................................................................................30
         9.6.     Amendment......................................................................................30
         9.7.     Waiver.........................................................................................30
         9.8.     Counterparts; Effectiveness....................................................................30
         9.9.     Assignment; Successors and Assigns; Parties In Interest........................................30
         9.10.    Severability...................................................................................30
         9.11.    Risk of Loss...................................................................................30
         9.12.    Remedies Cumulative............................................................................31

ARTICLE 10.  DEFINITIONS.........................................................................................31
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>   4

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of April 7, 2000, is
by and among ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation
("OCA"), and APPLE ORTHODONTIX, INC., a Delaware corporation and a debtor in
possession under the Bankruptcy Code ("Apple"), and APPLE ORTHODONTIX OF CANADA,
INC., an Alberta, Canada corporation and subsidiary of Apple ("Canadian Apple"),
VICTORIA ORTHODONTIC MANAGEMENT, LTD., an Alberta, Canada corporation and
subsidiary of Canadian Apple ("Victoria"), 489147 ONTARIO LIMITED, an Ontario,
Canada corporation and subsidiary of Canadian Apple ("Ontario"), RUTH MANAGEMENT
INC., a Saskatchewan, Canada corporation and subsidiary of Canadian Apple
("Saskatchewan"), and 265084 B.C. LTD., a British Columbia, Canada corporation
and subsidiary of Canadian Apple ("BC," and collectively with Victoria, Ontario,
Saskatchewan and Canadian Apple, the "Canadian Sellers").

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS, on January 27, 2000, Apple filed a voluntary petition for relief
under Chapter 11 (the "Chapter 11 Case") of the Bankruptcy Code in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware;

     WHEREAS, on April 6, 2000, the venue of the Chapter 11 Case was
transferred, in response to a motion filed by an unsecured creditor, to the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas;

     WHEREAS, Apple and the Canadian Sellers (collectively, the "Sellers")
provide certain business, administrative and management services to orthodontic
practices operating in various states and Canadian provinces, and utilize the
Assets (as defined below) in the conduct of such business;

     WHEREAS, OCA desires to purchase all of the Assets from the Sellers, and
assume certain agreed upon liabilities of the Sellers, all in the manner and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, and in accordance with
Sections 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code and other applicable provisions of
the Bankruptcy Code.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits to be derived from
this Agreement and the representations, warranties, conditions and promises
hereinafter contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is
hereby acknowledged, each of the Sellers and OCA hereby agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENT:

                  ARTICLE 1. DEFINED TERMS AND INTERPRETATION.

1.1. Defined Terms. Certain terms used in this Agreement have the meanings
ascribed thereto in Article 10 hereof, and shall be applicable to the singular
and the plural forms of such terms, except as otherwise provided herein.
Accounting terms used in this Agreement which are not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meaning assigned such terms under GAAP.

1.2. Interpretation.

     (a) When used in this Agreement, the word "including" and words of similar
import shall mean "including, without limitation," and any list of items that
may follow such word shall not be deemed to represent a complete list of, or be
limited to, the contents of the referent of the subject.

     (b) Unless the context otherwise requires, when used in this Agreement, (i)
the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular,
and all nouns, pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to
the masculine, feminine or neuter, as the identity of the Person or Persons may
require, and (ii) the term "or" shall mean "and/or".

<PAGE>   5

     (c) The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.

     (d) In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears, (i) the words
"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
subdivision, and (ii) references to any Article or Section are to an article or
a section of this Agreement, as applicable, and references to any schedule or
exhibit are to a schedule or exhibit to this Agreement, as applicable.

     (e) The parties hereto have each negotiated the terms hereof, reviewed this
Agreement carefully, and discussed it with their respective legal counsel. It is
the intent of the parties that each word, phrase and sentence and other part
hereof shall be given its plain meaning. No provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted or construed against any party hereto solely because such party or
its legal representative drafted such provision.

     (f) References to any document (including this Agreement) are references to
that document as amended, consolidated, supplemented, novated or replaced by the
parties from time to time. References to any party to this Agreement shall
include references to its respective successors and permitted assigns.
References to law are references to that law as amended, consolidated,
supplemented or replaced from time to time, and shall include references to any
constitutional provision, treaty, decree, convention, statute, act, regulation,
rule, ordinance, subordinate legislation, rule of common law and of equity and
judgment and shall include the requirements of any applicable stock exchange.
References to a judgment shall include references to any order, injunction,
decree, determination or award of any court or tribunal.

     (g) All references to "$" or "dollars" shall be to United States dollars
and all references to "days" shall be to calendar days unless otherwise
specified.

                 ARTICLE 2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ASSETS.

2.1. Purchase of the Assets. In reliance on the representations, warranties and
covenants contained herein and subject to the terms and conditions hereof and
pursuant to, and in accordance with Sections 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code
and other applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, at the Closing, Apple
will sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver to OCA, and OCA will purchase
from Apple, all of Apple's rights, title and interests in, to and under the
following assets and properties (all such assets collectively referred to as the
"Assets"), free and clear of any and all liens, claims, charges, encumbrances,
mortgages, pledges, security interests and other interests (collectively,
"Encumbrances"), other than the Permitted Encumbrances:

     (a) the service agreements described and listed on Schedule 2.1(a)
(collectively, the "Service Agreements");

     (b) all tangible and intangible personal property used exclusively or held
for use exclusively in connection with the clinical, business and other
operations of the orthodontic practices operating in the locations specified on
Schedule 2.1(b)-1 (the "Acquired Locations"), or used exclusively or held for
use exclusively in connection with each of the Sellers' and their subsidiaries'
administration and management of and operations in the Acquired Locations, as
currently conducted (the "Acquired Business"), or physically located in the
Acquired Locations (such tangible and intangible personal property,
collectively, the "Personal Property"), including, without limitation, all
equipment, furniture, fixtures, machinery, supplies, inventory, vehicles, office
furnishings, instruments, leasehold improvements, spare parts, and all rights in
all warranties of any manufacturer or vendor with respect thereto, and further
including, without limitation, the Personal Property more specifically described
and listed on Schedule 2.1(b)-2, and the Personal Property designated on such
Schedule 2.1(b)-2 by or at the express request of OCA prior to the Closing;

     (c) the accounts receivable, notes receivable, evidence of indebtedness and
other rights to receive payment described and listed on Schedule 2.1(c)
(collectively, the "Receivables");

                                       2

<PAGE>   6

     (d) all licenses or permits issued primarily in connection with the
operations of the Acquired Business or the Acquired Locations (collectively, the
"Licenses"), but only to the extent the assignment and transfer of such licenses
and permits is permitted by applicable law, including, without limitation, the
Licenses described and listed on Schedule 2.1(d), and the Licenses designated on
such Schedule 2.1(d) by or at the express request of OCA prior to the Closing;

     (e) those real property and personal property leases relating to the
Acquired Business and described and listed on Schedule 2.1(e), and the real
property and personal property leases which relate to the Acquired Business or
the Acquired Locations and are designated on such Schedule 2.1(e) by or at the
express request of OCA prior to the Closing (collectively, the "Leases");

     (f) the Wood Agreement, the Letzer Agreement, the contracts and agreements
which relate to the Acquired Business or the Acquired Locations and are
described and listed on Schedule 2.1(f), and the contracts and agreements which
relate to the Acquired Business or the Acquired Locations and are designated on
such Schedule 2.1(f) by or at the express request of OCA prior to the Closing
(collectively, the "Contracts");

     (g) all inventories of dental and orthodontic supplies, janitorial and
office supplies, and other disposables, supplies and consumables existing on the
Closing Date and located in the Acquired Locations or acquired for use primarily
in connection with the Acquired Business (collectively, the "Inventory");

     (h) all documents, records, operating manuals and files, and computer
software ("Computer Software") used exclusively or held for use exclusively in
connection with the Acquired Business or the Acquired Locations, or physically
located in the Acquired Locations, including, without limitation, all patient
records (to the extent permitted by applicable law), financial records,
equipment records, construction plans and specifications (collectively, the
"Documents and Software"); provided, however, that at the Closing OCA shall
hereby grant to the Sellers a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable (except
as provided in this subsection below) license to use the Computer Software
royalty-free and without charge in connection with the operations of the Sellers
and their affiliated orthodontic practices remaining as of the Closing, which
license the Sellers shall have the right to assign and transfer to such
affiliated orthodontic practices for their use for up to one hundred eighty days
(180) days following termination of such orthodontic practices' affiliation with
the Sellers;

     (i) the intellectual property, tradenames, trademarks, copyrights,
proprietary data, know-how, logos and symbols used or held for use in connection
with the Acquired Business, including, without limitation, the names "Apple,"
"Apple Orthodontix" and "Apple Orthodontix of Canada" and all other names and
marks included within the Assets and all formatives, variants or derivatives
thereof (collectively, the "Intellectual Property"); provided, however, that at
the Closing OCA shall hereby grant to the Sellers a perpetual, non-exclusive,
non-transferable (except as provided in this subsection below) license to use
the Intellectual Property royalty-free and without charge in connection with the
operations of the Sellers and their affiliated orthodontic practices remaining
as of the Closing, which license the Sellers shall have the right to assign and
transfer to such affiliated orthodontic practices for their use for up to one
hundred eighty days (180) days following termination of such orthodontic
practices' affiliation with the Sellers;

     (j) all insurance proceeds arising in connection with damage to the Assets
occurring prior to the Closing to the extent not previously expended on the
repair or restoration of such Assets (collectively, the "Insurance Proceeds");

     (k) all prepaid expenses with respect to the Assets and the operations of
the Acquired Business (collectively, the "Prepaid Expenses"); and

     (l) all other assets used exclusively or held for use exclusively in
connection with the operations of the Acquired Business or physically located in
the Acquired Locations, other than the Excluded Assets.

2.2. Purchase of Canadian Assets. In reliance on the representations, warranties
and covenants contained herein and subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
at the Closing, each of the Canadian Sellers will sell, convey, assign, transfer
and deliver to OCA, and OCA will purchase from such Canadian Seller, all of such
Canadian Seller's rights,

                                       3

<PAGE>   7

title and interests in, to and under the Assets, free and clear of any and all
Encumbrances other than the Permitted Encumbrances.

2.3. Excluded Assets. The following items are not intended by the parties to be
a part of the sale and purchase contemplated hereunder and are excluded from the
Assets (collectively, the "Excluded Assets"): (i) all cash and cash equivalents
held by the Sellers and all bank accounts of the Sellers; (ii) the Sellers'
corporate record books, minute books and tax records of the Sellers; (iii)
causes of action other than those relating to Assets conveyed and liabilities
assumed; and (iv) the assets specifically described on Schedule 2.3.

2.4. Assets Free and Clear. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the
contrary, the Assets shall be sold and transferred to OCA free and clear of all
Encumbrances, except for the Assumed Liabilities expressly agreed to be assumed
by OCA pursuant to Section 2.5 (the "Permitted Encumbrances"). The sale,
transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Assets shall be made by the execution
and delivery by each of the Sellers at the Closing of a general bill of sale
substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4 (the "Bill of Sale"), and such other
recordable instruments of assignment, transfer and conveyance as OCA shall
request.

2.5. Assumed Liabilities; Excluded Liabilities.

     (a) As of the Closing, OCA agrees to assume the future payment and
performance of the following liabilities of the Sellers (such liabilities
described in subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii), collectively, the "Assumed
Liabilities"): (i) under the Service Agreements, the Leases and the Contracts
(other than liabilities or obligations arising prior to the Closing or with
respect to any breach, malfeasance or other action or non-action by any of the
Sellers or their subsidiaries), subject to adjustment as described in Section
2.7; and (ii) those other liabilities expressly listed and identified on
Schedule 2.5 (the "Assumed Payables"), subject to adjustment pursuant to Section
2.7, and (iii) all payments ("Cure Costs"), including Office Lease Cure Costs,
necessary to cure (pursuant to Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code) defaults
existing as of the Closing under any Service Agreements, Leases and Contracts
that are included in the Assets as of the Closing, following the adjustments
described in Section 2.7(a), and that are assumed by and assigned to OCA
(provided, however, that OCA may elect as of the Closing not to assume any of
such Leases and Contracts and in such event OCA shall not be responsible for
paying Cure Costs or Office Lease Cure Costs for any such Lease or Contract that
is not assumed by and assigned to OCA at the Closing).

     (b) The assignment to and assumption by OCA of the Assumed Liabilities
shall be made by the execution and delivery at the Closing of one or more
assignments and undertakings substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 (the
"Assignment and Undertaking") and such other recordable instruments of
assignment as OCA shall request. On the Business Day immediately preceding the
Closing Date, OCA and Apple shall jointly prepare and provide to each other a
written schedule which sets forth their then good faith estimate of the
liabilities and obligations that comprise the Assumed Liabilities as of the
Closing, determined by estimating in a reasonable manner the Assumed Liabilities
to be excluded pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the
Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by determining any changes in the
Assumed Liabilities that are not related to the adjustments described in Section
2.7(a) in a reasonable and good faith manner.

     (c) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in Section 2.5(a), OCA
shall not assume, and shall not be deemed to have assumed, and none of the
Assets shall be or become liable for or subject to, any liability, contract,
tax, suit, claim, note payable, account payable, commitment or obligation of any
of the Sellers or any of their subsidiaries, of any nature whatsoever, whether
fixed or contingent, known or unknown, disclosed or undisclosed, recorded or
unrecorded and whether relating to the Assets, the Acquired Business or any
other matter, facts or circumstances (collectively, the "Excluded Liabilities"),
including, without limitation: (i) any claims arising from the act of any of the
Sellers' assignment or OCA's assumption of the Assumed Liabilities; (ii) rights
or remedies claimed by third parties under any of the Assumed Liabilities which
broaden the rights and remedies such third parties would have had against any of
the Sellers if the sale and purchase of the Assets were not to occur; (iii)
indebtedness and other obligations or guarantees of any of the Sellers,
including, without limitation, current liabilities of any of the Sellers and
short-term and long-term indebtedness; (iv) liabilities or obligations of any of
the Sellers in respect of periods prior to and including Closing arising under
the terms of any third party payor programs, and any liability arising pursuant
to any third party payor program as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein, including, without limitation, recapture of
previously reimbursed expenses;

                                       4

<PAGE>   8

(v) federal, state or local tax liabilities or obligations of any of the Sellers
in respect of periods prior to the Closing or resulting from the consummation of
the transactions contemplated herein, including, without limitation, any income
tax, any franchise tax, any tax recapture, any sales and/or use tax, any state
and local recording fees and taxes which may arise upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein and any FICA, FUTA, workers' compensation and
any and all other taxes or amounts due and payable as a result of the exercise
by any of the Sellers' employees of such employees' right to vacation, paid time
off, sick leave and holiday benefits accrued while in the employ of any of the
Sellers; (vi) liability for any and all claims by or on behalf of any of the
Sellers' employees relating to periods prior to the Closing, including, without
limitation, liability for any pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, or
any other employee health and welfare benefit plans, liability for any EEOC
claim, wage and hour claim, unemployment compensation claim or workers'
compensation claim, and liability for all employee wages and benefits,
including, without limitation, accrued vacation, sick leave and holiday pay and
taxes or other liability related thereto in respect of any of the Sellers'
employees; (vii) liabilities or obligations arising as a result of any breach by
any of the Sellers at any time of any contract or commitment not assumed by OCA;
(viii) liabilities or obligations arising out of any breach by any of the
Sellers prior to the Closing of any Service Agreement, Contract or Lease; (ix)
any liability arising out of or in connection with claims for acts, omissions
and professional malpractice relating to the ownership or operations of the
Assets which allegedly occurred prior to the Closing; (x) contracts and
agreements between any of the Sellers and one or more of any of the Sellers'
Affiliates; (xi) any debt, obligation, expense or liability of any of the
Sellers arising out of or incurred solely as a result of any transaction of any
of the Sellers occurring after the Closing or for any violation by any of the
Sellers of any law, regulation or ordinance at any time; and (xii) liability
arising out of the act of assignment at the Closing of any Service Agreement,
Contract or Lease.

2.6. Purchase Consideration. At the Closing, in consideration of the transfer of
the Assets and the agreements and covenants herein, OCA shall (i) remit to the
Sellers, jointly and severally, cash in the amount of $19,924,891.00 (Nineteen
Million Nine Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-One Dollars and
00/100s), minus the Holdback Amount, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 2.7, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such bank
account as Apple shall have therefore designated in writing to OCA, or by such
other means as Apple and OCA may mutually agree (the "Cash Payment"), and (ii)
assume the Assumed Liabilities, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.7
(collectively, the "Purchase Price"). The "Holdback Amount" means an amount
equal to the sum of (x) the amount, if any, by which the estimated Net
Receivables Benchmark Amount exceeds the aggregate estimated amount of the Net
Receivables, with each such estimated amount as set forth in the Net Receivables
Schedule, plus (y) the amount, if any, by which the estimated Office Lease Cure
Costs exceed the estimated Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount, with each
such estimated amount as set forth in the Liabilities Schedule.

2.7. Purchase Price Adjustment.

     (a) Failure to Obtain Amendments to Service Agreements. In the event that
an amendment to any of the respective Service Agreements, in form and substance
satisfactory to OCA and its counsel, shall not be executed and delivered to OCA
by each of the parties thereto at or before the Closing in accordance with
Sections 6.3 and 7.7, then, unless otherwise expressly elected by OCA in written
notice to Apple on or before the Closing Date:

          (i) such Service Agreement, together with the Personal Property,
     Licenses, Leases, Contracts, Inventory, Documents and Software, Insurance
     Proceeds and Prepaid Expenses exclusively and specifically related to the
     operation of the Acquired Locations to which such Service Agreement
     relates, and together also with the Receivables related to such Service
     Agreement and the parties thereto, shall be excluded from the Assets and
     such Acquired Locations shall be excluded from the definition of Acquired
     Business, and the Cash Payment shall be reduced by an amount with respect
     to such Service Agreement (and such related Personal Property, Licenses,
     Leases and other Assets and Receivables) as agreed upon in writing by OCA
     and the Sellers with respect to such reduction, and the Net Receivables
     Benchmark Amount shall be reduced by an amount with respect to such related
     Receivables as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the Sellers; and

          (ii) in such event, the Assumed Liabilities, Assumed Payables, Cure
     Costs and Office Lease Cure Costs associated with such Service Agreement
     and such related Personal Property, Licenses, Leases and other Assets and
     Receivables shall be excluded from the Assumed Liabilities, Assumed
     Payables, Cure

                                       5

<PAGE>   9

     Costs and Office Lease Cure Costs, and shall not be assumed by OCA, and the
     amount of the Assumed Payables Benchmark Amount and the Office Lease Cure
     Costs Benchmark Amount shall each be reduced by an amount with respect
     thereto as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the Sellers.

     (b) Increases and Decreases in Amount of Receivables and Assumed
Liabilities.

          (i) Pre-Closing Estimates. On the Business Day immediately preceding
     the Closing Date, OCA and Apple shall jointly prepare and provide to each
     other the following:

               (A) Net Receivables Schedule. A written schedule (the "Net
          Receivables Schedule") which sets forth their then good faith estimate
          of the amounts as of the Closing of the following:

                    (1) the Receivables to be included in the Assets, net of the
               Sellers' reserves for doubtful or uncollectible Receivables
               (calculated in accordance with GAAP based on the historical
               experience of the Sellers) and net of the additional reserves
               agreed upon in writing (the "Agreed Discount") by the Sellers and
               OCA pursuant to Section 2.7(a), determined by estimating in a
               reasonable manner the Receivables to be excluded pursuant to the
               adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and applying the
               corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the
               Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by estimating any changes
               in the Receivables that are not related to the adjustments
               described in Section 2.7(a) in a reasonable and good faith manner
               (collectively, the "Net Receivables"), and

                    (2) the Net Receivables Benchmark Amount, determined by
               estimating in a reasonable manner the Receivables to be excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a); and

               (B) Liabilities Schedule. A written schedule (the "Liabilities
          Schedule") which sets forth their then good faith estimate of the
          amounts as of the Closing of the following:

                    (1) the Assumed Payables, determined by estimating in a
               reasonable manner the Assumed Payables to be excluded pursuant to
               the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and applying the
               corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the
               Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by estimating any changes
               in the Assumed Payables that are not related to the adjustments
               described in Section 2.7(a) in a reasonable and good faith
               manner,

                    (2) the Office Lease Cure Costs, determined by estimating in
               a reasonable manner the Office Lease Cure Costs to be excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by
               estimating any changes in the Office Lease Cure Costs that are
               not related to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) in a
               reasonable and good faith manner,

                    (3) the Assumed Payables Benchmark Amount, determined by
               estimating in a reasonable manner the Assumed Payables to be
               excluded pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a)
               and applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in
               writing by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a),

                    (4) the Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount, determined
               by estimating in a reasonable manner the Office Lease Cure Costs
               to be excluded pursuant to the adjustments described in Section
               2.7(a) and applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon
               in writing by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and

                                       6

<PAGE>   10

                    (5) the Cure Costs associated with the Service Agreements,
               Leases, Contracts and other Assets expected to be acquired by OCA
               at the Closing, determined by estimating in a reasonable manner
               the Cure Costs to be excluded pursuant to the adjustments
               described in Section 2.7(a) and applying the corresponding
               reductions as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the Sellers
               pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by estimating any changes in the
               Cure Costs that are not related to the adjustments described in
               Section 2.7(a) in a reasonable and good faith manner.

          (ii) Post-Closing Determination of Actual Amounts. Within thirty (30)
     calendar days following the Closing Date (the "Examination Period"), OCA
     shall give Apple a written schedule (the "Post-Closing Adjustments
     Schedule") describing in reasonable detail the following:

               (A) Net Receivables. OCA's good faith determination of the actual
          amounts of the following:

                    (1) Receivables conveyed to OCA at the Closing, net of the
               Sellers' reserves for doubtful or uncollectible Receivables
               (calculated in accordance with GAAP based on the historical
               experience of the Sellers) and net of the Agreed Discount, by
               determining in a reasonable manner the Receivables excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by
               determining any changes in the Receivables that are not related
               to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) in a reasonable
               and good faith manner (collectively, the "Actual Net
               Receivables"), and

                    (2) the Net Receivables Benchmark Amount at the Closing, by
               determining in a reasonable manner the Receivables excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a) (the "Actual
               Net Receivables Benchmark Amount"); and

               (B) Assumed Payables and Office Lease Cure Costs. OCA's good
          faith determination of the actual amounts of the following:

                    (1) Assumed Payables assumed by OCA at the Closing, by
               determining in a reasonable manner the Assumed Payables excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by
               determining any changes in the Assumed Payables that are not
               related to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) in a
               reasonable and good faith manner (collectively, the "Actual
               Payables"),

                    (2) Office Lease Cure Costs assumed by OCA at the Closing,
               by determining in a reasonable manner the Office Lease Cure Costs
               excluded pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a)
               and applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in
               writing by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), and by
               determining any changes in the Office Lease Cure Costs that are
               not related to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) in a
               reasonable and good faith manner (collectively, the "Actual
               Office Lease Cure Costs"),

                    (3) the Assumed Payables Benchmark Amount at the Closing, by
               determining in a reasonable manner the Assumed Payables excluded
               pursuant to the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a) and
               applying the corresponding reductions as agreed upon in writing
               by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a) (the "Actual
               Payables Benchmark Amount"), and

                                       7

<PAGE>   11

                    (4) the Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount at the
               Closing, by determining in a reasonable manner the Office Lease
               Cure Costs excluded pursuant to the adjustments described in
               Section 2.7(a) and applying the corresponding reductions as
               agreed upon in writing by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section
               2.7(a) (the "Actual Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount").

     Each party hereto shall give each of the other parties hereto and such
     other party's agents and representatives timely and reasonable access to
     such of the first party's working papers, documents, financial information
     and other information used in the preparation of the Net Receivables
     Schedule, the Liabilities Schedule and/or the Post-Closing Adjustments
     Schedule as such other party reasonably deems necessary or desirable in
     connection with its examination and determination with respect to and/or
     review of the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule.

          (iii) Finalization of Actual Amounts. The Post-Closing Adjustments
     Schedule shall be finalized as follows:

               (A) Objections to OCA Determinations. Apple may object to the
          amounts set forth in the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule within ten
          (10) calendar days immediately following the date on which the
          Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule is given to Apple (the "Seller
          Examination Period"), by giving to OCA a written notice describing in
          reasonable detail Apple's objection or objections to any amount or
          item included on the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule (the "Objection
          Notice"); provided, that Apple's failure to so give the Objection
          Notice to OCA during the Seller Examination Period shall constitute
          the Sellers' binding acceptance of the Post-Closing Adjustments
          Schedule, which shall be conclusive and binding on the parties hereto
          with respect to the amount of the Actual Net Receivables, the Actual
          Net Receivables Benchmark Amount, the Actual Payables, the Actual
          Office Lease Cure Costs, the Actual Payables Benchmark Amount and the
          Actual Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount for purposes of this
          Section 2.7(b).

               (B) Resolution by the Parties. During the ten (10) calendar days
          immediately following the date the Objection Notice, if any, is given
          to OCA, representatives of Apple and OCA shall attempt to resolve the
          objection or objections described in the Objection Notice, and to
          reach a written agreement with respect thereto (the "Settlement
          Agreement"). If the parties enter into a Settlement Agreement, then
          the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule shall be deemed to be as
          specified in the Settlement Agreement, which shall be conclusive and
          binding on the parties hereto with respect to the amount of the Actual
          Net Receivables, the Actual Net Receivables Benchmark Amount, the
          Actual Payables, the Actual Office Lease Cure Costs, the Actual
          Payables Benchmark Amount and the Actual Office Lease Cure Costs
          Benchmark Amount for purposes of this Section 2.7(b).

               (C) Accountant's Determination. If Apple and OCA are unable to
          resolve the objection or objections described in the Objection Notice
          within ten (10) calendar days after the Objection Notice is given to
          OCA, then, upon the election of either Apple or OCA (and notice of
          such election to the other party) within twenty-one (21) calendar days
          thereafter, OCA and Apple shall submit to Ernst & Young LLP,
          independent public accountants, a copy of the Post-Closing Adjustments
          Schedule, the Liabilities Schedule, the Net Receivables Schedule and
          the Objection Notice. Such accounting firm shall resolve such
          objection or objections described in the Objection Notice as promptly
          as reasonably possible. Each of the Sellers and OCA shall reasonably
          cooperate with such accounting firm and its agents and
          representatives, and shall give such accounting firm and its agents
          and representatives timely and reasonable access to such parties'
          working papers, documents, financial information and other information
          as such accounting firm reasonably deems necessary or desirable, in
          connection with its resolution of such objection or objections. A
          decision by such accounting firm as to the resolution of such
          objection or objections shall be (absent a written agreement of the
          parties regarding an error that is manifest) conclusive and binding on
          the parties hereto with respect to the amount of the Actual Net
          Receivables, the Actual Net Receivables Benchmark Amount, the Actual
          Payables, the Actual Payables Benchmark

                                       8

<PAGE>   12

          Amount, the Actual Office Lease Cure Costs and the Actual Office Lease
          Cure Costs Benchmark Amount for purposes of this Section 2.7(b) (the
          "Accountant's Determination"). The Accountant's Determination shall be
          (1) in writing, (2) made in accordance with GAAP as modified by the
          standards provided for in this Agreement for the Post-Closing
          Adjustments Schedule (including the adjustments in Section 2.7(a), the
          Agreed Discount, and as agreed upon in writing by OCA and the Sellers
          pursuant to Section 2.7(a)) and (3) nonappealable and incontestable by
          any of the Sellers and OCA and each of their respective Affiliates and
          successors and not subject to collateral attack for any reason. All
          fees and costs payable to such accounting firm in connection with the
          Accountant's Determination shall be borne equally by OCA, on one hand,
          and the Sellers, on the other hand.

          (iv) Adjustment Payments. OCA and Apple shall finalize payment of the
     adjustments to the Purchase Price described in this Section 2.7(b) as
     follows:

               (A) Excess Liabilities. If the aggregate amount of the Actual
          Payables is equal to or greater than the amount of the Actual Payables
          Benchmark Amount (each as specified in the Post-Closing Adjustments
          Schedule, the Settlement Agreement or the Accountant's Determination,
          as applicable), then the Purchase Price shall not be adjusted
          therefor; provided, that if the aggregate amount of the Actual Office
          Lease Cure Costs is greater than the Actual Office Lease Cure Costs
          Benchmark Amount (each as specified in the Post-Closing Adjustments
          Schedule, the Settlement Agreement or the Accountant's Determination,
          as applicable), then (1) OCA shall automatically retain (and the
          Sellers shall automatically waive and release all rights to) from the
          Holdback Amount the amount by which the Actual Office Lease Cure Costs
          are so greater, and (2) if such amount by which the Actual Office
          Lease Cure Costs are so greater exceeds the Holdback Amount, then the
          Sellers shall pay to OCA the amount of such excess (provided, that
          such excess amount shall first be offset against any amounts payable
          by OCA to Apple pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this paragraph (iv)).

               (B) Lesser Liabilities. If the aggregate amount of the Actual
          Payables is less than the amount of the Actual Payables Benchmark
          Amount (each as specified in the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule,
          the Settlement Agreement or the Accountant's Determination, as
          applicable), then OCA shall pay to Apple the amount by which the
          Actual Payables is less than the Actual Payables Benchmark Amount
          (provided, that such amount shall first be offset against any amounts
          payable by the Sellers to OCA pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this
          paragraph (iv)).

               (C) Lesser Net Receivables. If the amount of the Actual Net
          Receivables Benchmark Amount is greater than the aggregate amount of
          the Actual Net Receivables (each as specified in the Post-Closing
          Adjustments Schedule, the Settlement Agreement or the Accountant's
          Determination, as applicable), then (1) OCA shall automatically retain
          (and the Sellers shall automatically waive and release all rights to)
          from the Holdback Amount the amount by which the Actual Net
          Receivables Benchmark Amount is so greater, and (2) if such amount by
          which the Actual Net Receivables Benchmark Amount is greater exceeds
          the Holdback Amount (after applying any adjustment and retention by
          OCA pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subsection (iv)), then the
          Sellers shall pay to OCA the amount of such excess (provided, that
          such excess amount shall first be offset against any amounts payable
          by OCA to Apple pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (iv)).

               (D) Excess Net Receivables. If the amount of the Actual Net
          Receivables Benchmark Amount is less than the aggregate amount of the
          Actual Net Receivables (each as specified in the Post-Closing
          Adjustments Schedule, the Settlement Agreement or the Accountant's
          Determination, as applicable), then OCA shall pay to Apple from the
          Holdback Amount the amount by which the Actual Net Receivables
          Benchmark Amount is less than the Actual Net Receivables, and (2) if
          such amount by which the Actual Receivables Benchmark Amount is less
          shall exceed the Holdback Amount (after applying any adjustment and
          retention by OCA pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subsection
          (iv)), then OCA shall pay to Apple the

                                       9

<PAGE>   13

          amount of such excess (provided, that such excess amount shall first
          be offset against any amounts payable by the Sellers to OCA pursuant
          to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (iv)).

               (E) Remainder of Holdback Amount. Following the adjustments,
          retentions, payments and offsets described in subparagraphs (A), (B),
          (C) and (D) of this paragraph (iv), OCA shall pay to Apple any amounts
          then remaining of the Holdback Amount.

               (F) Timing of Payments. All payments pursuant to this Section
          2.7(b) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds
          as follows: (1) if Apple does not give the Objection Notice to OCA
          within the Seller Examination Period, within five (5) calendar days
          following the earlier to occur of the end of the Seller Examination
          Period or receipt by OCA of written notice from Apple to the effect
          that Apple accepts the Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule without
          objection, or (2) if Apple does deliver the Objection Notice to OCA
          within the Seller Examination Period, five (5) calendar days following
          the resolution of such objections, whether by a Settlement Agreement
          or by an Accountant's Determination.

               (G) No Set-Off. All funds remitted to OCA or Apple, as
          applicable, in accordance with this Section 2.7(b) shall thereupon
          become the property of such party, and the other party shall have no
          rights thereto. No party hereto shall have any right of offset (except
          as provided in this paragraph (iv)), claim or cause of action against,
          nor any interest in or rights to, any amounts that such party is
          required to pay or return or remit to another party hereto pursuant to
          this Section 2.7(b). Without limiting the foregoing, no party hereto
          shall have any right, pending adjudication or resolution of any breach
          of contract or indemnification allegation or claim or cause of action
          which such party may make or bring against another party hereto, to
          withhold any amount such party is required to pay, return or remit to
          such other party pursuant to this Section 2.7(b).

2.8. Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated herein (the
"Closing") shall take place at the offices of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, A
Professional Limited Liability Company, Nashville, Tennessee at 10:00 a.m.
Nashville time. The Closing shall occur on a date designated by OCA which is not
later than two (2) Business Days following the later to occur of (a) the
satisfaction by each of the Sellers, or waiver by OCA, of all of the conditions
set forth in Section 6 hereof, and (b) the satisfaction by OCA, or waiver by the
Sellers, of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7 hereof (the "Closing
Date").

2.9. Closing Deliveries. At the Closing, subject to the satisfaction of the
terms and conditions set forth herein, OCA will pay the Cash Payment in the
manner set forth in Section 2.6 (as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.7(a)), and
each of the Sellers will deliver the Assets to OCA. In addition, each of the
Sellers and OCA will execute and deliver the Bill of Sale, the Assignment and
Understanding, and such other agreements, instruments, certificates and other
documents to be executed and delivered hereunder or as may be reasonably
requested by any party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, all
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the parties hereto and their
respective counsel.

2.10. Normal Prorations. To the extent not otherwise prorated pursuant to this
Agreement, OCA and each of the Sellers shall prorate (as of the day immediately
preceding the Closing Date), if applicable, the responsibility for payment of
real estate and personal property lease payments, interest and real estate and
personal property taxes, utilities services expenses, and all other income and
expenses which are normally prorated upon the sale of assets of a going concern,
except to the extent to which OCA or a subsidiary thereof is to be reimbursed by
a Service Agreement Party for such payments or expenses pursuant to the terms of
a Service Agreement that is assigned to and assumed by OCA hereunder as of the
Closing. The Sellers' portion of such proration shall, to the extent provided on
Schedule 2.5, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.7, be included within the
Assumed Liabilities. If necessary, taxes shall be prorated using the prior
year's invoices.

2.11. Further Acts and Assurances. Each of the Sellers shall, at any time and
from time to time at and after the Closing, upon request of OCA, take any and
all steps necessary to place OCA in possession and operating control of the
Assets to be transferred hereunder, and will do, execute, acknowledge and
deliver, or will cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all
such further acts, deeds, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of
attorney and assurances as may be required for the better transferring and
confirming to OCA or to its successors

                                       10

<PAGE>   14

or assigns, or for reducing to possession, any or all of the Assets. In
addition, upon and following the Closing, none of the Sellers shall assert, file
or allege, or cause to be asserted, filed or alleged, any claim or cause of
action for any preference transfer or payment or breach of contract or similar
claim with respect to any of the Assets.

            ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS.

     Each of the Sellers hereby, jointly and severally, represents and warrants
to OCA as follows:

3.1. Corporate Organization. Apple is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of
Canadian Apple and Victoria is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada. Ontario
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Saskatchewan is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Province
of Saskatchewan, Canada. BC is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Each of the Sellers is duly qualified and in good standing to transact business
as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership or use of its
properties and the conduct of its business necessitates such qualification,
except such jurisdiction, in which the failure to be so qualified could
reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
described in the Apple SEC Reports or Schedule 3.1, Apple owns all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Canadian Apple, free and clear of all
Encumbrances of every kind, and there are no outstanding options, warrants,
rights, subscriptions, claims, agreements, obligations, convertible or
exchangeable securities or other commitments, contingent or otherwise, relating
to the capital stock of Canadian Apple, or pursuant to which Canadian Apple is
or may become obligated to issue or exchange any shares of capital stock. Except
as described in Schedule 3.1, Canadian Apple owns all of the outstanding shares
of capital stock of each of the other Canadian Sellers, free and clear of all
Encumbrances of every kind, and there are no outstanding options, warrants,
rights, subscriptions, claims, agreements, obligations, convertible or
exchangeable securities or other commitments, contingent or otherwise, relating
to the capital stock of the other Canadian Sellers, or pursuant to which any
other Canadian Seller is or may become obligated to issue or exchange any shares
of capital stock. True, accurate and complete copies of each of the Sellers'
certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, bylaws or other
governing documents, and all amendments thereto, in each case as in effect on
the date hereof, have heretofore been delivered or made available to OCA.

3.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement. Each of Apple and the Canadian Sellers
(except to the extent that any requisite approvals by the respective Boards of
Directors and shareholders of the Canadian Sellers have not yet been obtained)
has the corporate power and corporate authority to enter into this Agreement and
the other agreements, documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by
such Seller pursuant hereto (collectively, the "Seller Documents"), and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement and the Seller
Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and the execution, delivery
and performance thereof by the Sellers have been duly authorized and approved by
the Board of Directors of Apple and by all other requisite corporate action with
respect to Apple. Subject to the entry of the Section 363/365 Order by the
Bankruptcy Court, all proceedings required by law, Apple's governing documents
or otherwise to be taken by Apple to duly authorize and approve this Agreement
and the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and the
execution, delivery and performance thereof by Apple in accordance with the
terms thereof, have been properly taken by Apple. This Agreement has been, and
at the Closing this Agreement and the Seller Documents shall be, duly and
validly executed and delivered by Apple. Assuming due execution and delivery by
OCA, this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing this Agreement and the
Seller Documents shall each constitute, the valid and binding agreement and
obligation of Apple, enforceable against Apple in accordance with its terms
(except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally). At the
Closing, all proceedings required by law, each of the Canadian Sellers'
governing documents or otherwise to be taken by each of the Canadian Sellers to
duly authorize and approve this Agreement and the Seller Documents, the
transactions contemplated therein, and the execution, delivery and performance
thereof by each of the Canadian Sellers in accordance with the terms thereof,
shall have been properly taken. Apple has record and beneficial ownership of a
number of outstanding shares of capital stock of Canadian Apple that is at least
equal to the minimum number of such shares required, under applicable law and
Canadian Apple's governing documents, to be affirmatively voted by the holders
thereof in order for Canadian Apple's shareholders to duly authorize and approve
this Agreement and the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein,
and the execution, delivery and

                                       11

<PAGE>   15

performance thereof by Canadian Apple. This Agreement has been (except to the
extent that any requisite approvals by the respective Boards of Directors and
shareholders of the Canadian Sellers have not yet been obtained), and at the
Closing this Agreement and the Seller Documents shall be, duly and validly
executed and delivered by each of the Canadian Sellers. Assuming due execution
and delivery by OCA, this Agreement constitutes (except to the extent that any
requisite approvals by the respective Boards of Directors and shareholders of
the Canadian Sellers have not yet been obtained), and at the Closing this
Agreement and the Seller Documents shall each constitute, the valid and binding
agreement and obligation of each of the Canadian Sellers, enforceable against
each of the Canadian Sellers in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally).

3.3. Consents and Approvals. Except for the (i) consents, approvals,
authorizations or orders of, or declarations or filings with, the Bankruptcy
Court, (ii) the filing by OCA and Apple of a pre-merger notification with the
FTC and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice
("Antitrust Division") under the HSR Act, and (iii) the consents and approvals
described and listed on Schedule 3.3, neither the execution or delivery by any
of the Sellers of this Agreement and the other Seller Documents, nor the
consummation by any of the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, nor the compliance by any of the Sellers with the provisions hereof,
will require any filing with, notification to, or permit, consent or approval
of, any public, governmental or regulatory body, agency or authority except
where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
Adverse Effect. Assuming receipt of the Interim Order and the Section 363/365
Order from the Bankruptcy Court, neither the entering into of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, or the performance of
any obligations provided for herein, requires the affirmative vote, consent or
approval of or by the holders of shares of Apple's capital stock or other
securities of Apple.

3.4. No Conflicts. Neither the execution or delivery by any of the Sellers of
this Agreement and the other Seller Documents, nor the consummation by any of
the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the
compliance by any of the Sellers with the provisions hereof, will, (a) violate
or conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the respective
certificates of incorporation, articles of incorporation, bylaws or other
governing documents of each of the Sellers and their subsidiaries; (b) violate
or conflict with any order, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule, ordinance or
regulation applicable to any of the Sellers and their subsidiaries or by which
any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, except as could
reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) result in a
violation or breach of, constitute a default or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration under an agreement, or result in the
creation of an Encumbrance upon any property or asset of each of the Sellers or
their subsidiaries or by which any such properties or assets may be bound,
except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, or
(d) result in the loss of any license, franchise or permit, except as could
reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.5. Reports and Financial Statements.

     (a) Apple has filed with the SEC all material forms, statements, reports
and documents (including all exhibits, post-effective amendments and
supplements) required to be filed by it under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act and the respective rules and regulations thereunder, all of which, as
amended if applicable, complied when filed in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the appropriate act and the rules and regulations
thereunder. Apple has previously delivered or made available to OCA copies
(including all exhibits, post-effective amendments and supplements) of all
reports, including quarterly reports, and registration statements filed by Apple
with the SEC since December 31, 1998 (collectively, the "Apple SEC Reports"). As
of their respective dates, the Apple SEC Reports did not contain any untrue
statement of fact or omit to state a fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except as could reasonably be
expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements of Apple included in such reports
(collectively, the "Financial Statements") were prepared in accordance with GAAP
(except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly present
the consolidated financial position of Apple and its subsidiaries (including the
Canadian Sellers) as of the dates thereof and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of the
unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end and audit adjustments
and any other adjustments described therein.

                                       12

<PAGE>   16

3.6. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the Apple SEC
Reports or Schedule 3.6, none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has incurred
any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise) of any nature, except (a) liabilities, obligations or contingencies
that are accrued or reserved against in the Financial Statements or reflected in
the notes thereto, or were incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (b)
liabilities, obligations or contingencies, individually or in the aggregate,
that could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, or have
been discharged or paid in full prior to the date hereof.

3.7. Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 hereto or disclosed in the
Apple SEC Reports, there are no claims, suits, actions, arbitration actions or
other proceedings, or, to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, any government
investigations or inquiries, pending or, to the knowledge of each of the
Sellers, threatened against, relating to or affecting any of the Sellers or
their subsidiaries, the Assets or the Acquired Business, which seeks to restrain
or enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or which
could, either alone or in the aggregate with all such claims, actions or other
proceedings, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as
disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.7, there are no decrees,
injunctions, writs or orders of any court or governmental department or agency
against any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries, the Assets, the Acquired
Locations, or which prohibits or restricts the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein or which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each of the Sellers, except as set forth on
Schedule 3.7 hereto or disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports, there are no
professional malpractice or other claims, suits, actions, arbitration actions,
government investigations or inquiries or other proceedings pending or
threatened against, relating to or affecting the orthodontists, professional
entities and related orthodontic practices operating in the Acquired Locations
or which are parties to one or more of the Service Agreements.

3.8. Compliance with Law. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8, each of the
Sellers and their subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable statutes, regulations, judgments, injunctions, decrees, orders,
ordinances and other laws (collectively, "Laws") of the United States of
America, Canada, all state, provincial and local governments and other
governmental bodies and authorities, and agencies and courts of any of the
foregoing, to which any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries is subject, the
failure of which to comply with could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has received any
notice to the effect that, or otherwise been advised that, any of the Sellers or
any subsidiary thereof has violated or is not in compliance with any of such
Laws, and, to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, there are no investigations
with respect thereto, except in each case with respect to violations that have
not had, and could reasonably be expected to not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Sellers and their subsidiaries
have all permits necessary to conduct their businesses as currently conducted,
except for permits, the absence of which, in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the Sellers and
their subsidiaries is in violation of the terms of any such permit, except for
delays in filing reports or violations that, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the
knowledge of each of the Sellers, each of the orthodontists practicing
orthodontics in the Acquired Locations or who are parties to one or more of the
Service Agreements is duly licensed to practice dentistry and orthodontics in
the respective state(s) or province(s) in which the applicable Acquired
Location(s) is/are located, and, except as described in the Apple SEC Reports or
on Schedule 3.8, to the knowledge of each of the Seller, no action or proceeding
by any governmental or regulatory body or authority to revoke, cancel,
terminate, suspend or restrict such license to practice is pending or
threatened.

3.9. Title to Assets. Each of the Sellers has good and marketable title to all
of the Assets reflected in the Balance Sheet or the Sellers' accounting records
as being owned thereby or acquired after the date of the Balance Sheet, except
for properties and assets that have been disposed of in the ordinary course of
business since the date of that Balance Sheet, free and clear of all
Encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except (i) the Permitted Encumbrances,
and (ii) such imperfections in title and easements and encumbrances, if any, as
are not substantial in character, amount or extent and do not materially detract
from the value, or materially interfere with the current use of the property
subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair any of the
Sellers' business operations (in the manner currently carried on by the Sellers)
or which, singly or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to not have a
Material Adverse Effect, (iii) Encumbrances that shall be discharged or
eliminated by the Sellers at or prior to the Closing, and (iv) that, to the
knowledge of each of the Sellers, each of the Banks currently holds a valid and
perfected security interest in all of the Assets, subject to any applicable
provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Each of the Sellers is the lessee and in
possession of all of the Assets reflected in the Balance

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<PAGE>   17

Sheet or the Sellers' accounting records as being leased thereby or leased after
the date of the Balance Sheet, other than assets or properties with respect to
which leases have expired by their terms as a result of the passage of time.
None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has received written notice of any
pending or threatened condemnation proceedings relating to any of the Assets
and, to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, there are no such pending or
threatened proceedings which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

3.10. Assets. The Assets constitute, or at the Closing shall constitute, all of
the assets, other than the Excluded Assets, used exclusively or held for use
exclusively by each of the Sellers and their subsidiaries in the conduct of the
operations of the Acquired Business, as currently conducted. In addition:

     (a) Tangible Assets. Except, in each case, as could reasonably be expected
to not have a Material Adverse Effect, the plants, structures, machinery,
furniture, computers, equipment and other tangible Personal Property that
constitute Assets are in good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and
tear excepted), free of any defects and suitable in all respects for the
operations of the Acquired Business, as currently conducted, are not in need of
maintenance or repairs other than ordinary, routine maintenance, and are
sufficient for the continued conduct of the Acquired Business after the Closing
in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.

     (b) Contracts. Apple has heretofore delivered to OCA true, correct and
complete copies of all of the Service Agreements and the Wood Agreement, the
Letzer Agreement and the Contracts listed on Schedule 2.1(f) as such may be
supplemented from time to time prior to the Closing, and all amendments,
supplements and other documents related thereto. Each of the Service Agreements
and the Contracts are valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, are
unmodified, are in full force and effect, and are enforceable against each of
the parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms. Except as
described in the Apple SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.10(b): (i) to the knowledge
of each of the Sellers, no event has occurred which, after notice or the passage
of time or both, would constitute a default or breach by any party to any of the
Service Agreements or Contracts, (ii) no party to any of the Service Agreements
or Contracts has, or to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, intends, to
terminate or adversely modify its agreement(s) or obligations with respect
thereto, or cease performing thereunder, and (iii) there are no outstanding
disputes under any of the Service Agreements or Contracts, and there is no
pending or, to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, threatened, litigation or
other legal proceeding with respect to any of the Service Agreements or
Contracts. The Service Agreements constitute all of the contracts and agreements
applicable to the provision of administrative, management or business services
to the orthodontists and orthodontic practices operating in the Acquired
Locations. At the Closing, the Contracts shall constitute all of the contracts
and agreements (other than the Service Agreements and the Leases) used or held
for use in the operations of the Acquired Business as currently conducted
(following application of the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a)).

     (c) Leases. Apple has heretofore delivered to OCA true, correct and
complete copies of each of the Leases listed on Schedule 2.1(e) as such may be
supplemented from time to time prior to the Closing, and all amendments,
supplements and other documents related thereto. At the Closing, the Leases
shall constitute all of the contracts and agreements applicable to the lease of
the premises in which the Acquired Locations are located (following application
of the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a)), and to the lease of real and
personal property used or held for use in the operations of the Acquired
Business as currently conducted (following application of the adjustments
described in Section 2.7(a)). Except as described in the Apple SEC Reports or on
Schedule 3.10(c): (i) all of the Leases are unmodified and in full force and
effect, (ii) all rents and additional rents due on the Closing Date on each such
Lease will have been paid or provided for in full, (iii) in each case, the
Sellers have been in peaceable possession since the commencement of the original
term of such Lease and is not in default thereunder, except as could reasonably
be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) no waiver, indulgence or
postponement of the lessee's obligations thereunder has been granted by the
lessor, except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse
Effect, (v) there exists no event of default or event, occurrence, condition or
act with respect to any such Lease (including the purchase of the Assets
hereunder) which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening
of any further event or condition, would become a default under such Lease,
except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
(vi) none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries have violated any of the terms or
conditions under any Lease, except as could reasonably be expected to not have a
Material Adverse Effect, (vii) each of the Sellers is in exclusive possession of
the property subject to each of the Leases, and such property is not subject to
any sublease or third party rights, other than subleases to the orthodontist(s)
and/or professional entity affiliated with the Sellers and operating in the
Acquired Location which are the subject of such Leases and other than the rights
of the lessor thereof, and (viii) to the knowledge of each of

                                       14

<PAGE>   18

the Sellers, all of the covenants to be performed by any other party under any
such Lease have been fully performed, except as could reasonably be expected to
not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except, in each case, as could reasonably be
expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, the property subject to each of
the Leases is in a state of good maintenance and repair and is suitable for its
current use, operation and occupancy, and no alterations or repairs are
necessary with respect thereto under any applicable law, lease or insurance
policy.

     (d) Inventory. Except, in each case, as could reasonably be expected to not
have a Material Adverse Effect, the Inventory is of a good and merchantable
quality usable or saleable in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices, is in a quantity reasonable for the operations of the Acquired
Business, as currently conducted, in the ordinary course of business, and is
valued at reasonable amounts not subject to any write-down.

     (e) Receivables. Except as described in the Apple SEC Reports or on
Schedule 3.10(e), the Receivables are valid and enforceable claims and
obligations, fully collectible in the aggregate amount thereof, net of any
applicable reserves recorded on the Balance Sheet or in the Sellers' accounting
records, which have heretofore been provided to OCA, which reserves are adequate
and calculated in accordance with GAAP and consistent with past practice, and
net of any Agreed Discount, and have arisen only from bona fide transactions in
the ordinary course of business. Except as described in the Apple SEC Reports or
on Schedule 3.10(e), to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, there are no
asserted contests, refusals to pay or rights of set-off with respect to any of
the Receivables.

     (f) Intellectual Property. Except as specifically disclosed in the Apple
SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.10(f), no Person other than the Sellers has an
ownership interest in, rights as a licensee or similar rights to receive a
royalty or similar payment with respect to, any of the Intellectual Property.
None of the Intellectual Property has been canceled or abandoned or licensed in
such a way as could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the validity of such Intellectual Property other than for such cancellations,
abandonments or licenses in the ordinary course of business which individually
or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse
Effect. None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries is infringing upon, or
otherwise violating, in any material respects, the rights of any third party
with respect to any Intellectual Property, and no proceedings or claims are
pending and none have been received by, instituted or asserted in writing
against any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries, nor are any proceedings, to
the knowledge of each of the Sellers, threatened alleging any such violation,
nor does any of the Sellers have knowledge of any valid basis for any such
proceeding or claim. To the knowledge of each of the Sellers, there is no
infringement or other adverse claim against any of the Intellectual Property,
and no proceedings or claims in which any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries
alleges that any third party is infringing upon, or otherwise violating any of
the Intellectual Property are pending, and none have been served by, instituted
or asserted by any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge
of each of the Sellers, are any proceedings threatened alleging any such
violation or infringement, nor does any of the Sellers have knowledge of any
valid basis for any such proceeding or claim that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Sellers' and their subsidiaries'
use of the Computer Software does not, to the knowledge of each of the Sellers,
violate or otherwise infringe the rights of any third party.

3.11. Employees of the Sellers. Schedule 3.11 sets forth a list, by Acquired
Location, of each employee of each of the Sellers employed in the Acquired
Business, their current salary or wage rates, and job title or summary of
responsibilities. Each of such employees is terminable at will, and there is no
employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, severance agreements,
change of control agreements, non-competition agreements or similar agreements
between any of such employees and any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries.
Except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has incurred any liability, or taken
or failed to take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in any
liability on the part of any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries, in respect of
any failure to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable
laws dealing with minimum wages or maximum hours for such employees.

3.12. Taxes. Each of the Sellers and their subsidiaries have duly filed with the
appropriate governmental or other taxing authorities all Tax Returns required to
be filed by them, other than those Tax Returns the failure to file which, in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
and to the knowledge of each of the Sellers, those filed Tax Returns are true,
correct and complete in all material respects. Each of the Sellers and their
subsidiaries have duly paid in full or made adequate provision for the payment
of all Taxes for all past and current periods. Except as could reasonably be
expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, the liabilities and

                                       15

<PAGE>   19

reserves for Taxes reflected in the Balance Sheet are adequate to cover all
Taxes for all periods ending at or prior to the date of that Balance Sheet,
there is no liability for Taxes for any period beginning after such date other
than Taxes arising in the ordinary course of business, and there are no
Encumbrances for Taxes upon any of the Assets, except for Encumbrances for Taxes
not yet due. There are no unresolved issues of law or fact arising out of a
notice of deficiency, proposed deficiency or assessment from the IRS or any
other taxing authority with respect to Taxes of the Sellers or any subsidiary
thereof which, if decided adversely, singly or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Sellers or
their subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or
agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency
other than waivers and extensions that are no longer in effect. None of the
Sellers or their subsidiaries is a party to any agreement providing for the
allocation or sharing of Taxes with any entity that is not, directly or
indirectly, a wholly-owned corporate subsidiary of Apple, other than agreements
the consequences of which are fully and adequately reserved for in the Financial
Statements. None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has, with regard to any
assets or property held, acquired or to be acquired by any of them, filed a
consent to the application of Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").

3.13. Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.

     (a) Except as disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.13, at
the date hereof, none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries maintain or
contribute to or have any obligation or liability to or with respect to any
material employee benefit plans, policies, programs, arrangements or practices
(collectively, "Employee Plans"), including employee benefit plans within the
meaning set forth in Section 3(3) of ERISA or other similar material
arrangements for the provision of benefits (excluding any Multi-Employer Plan).
None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries make any contributions to or have any
obligation or liability to make contributions to any Multi-Employer Plan or any
plan subject to Title IV of ERISA. Except as disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports,
none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries maintains or has any liability with
respect to any Multiple Employer Plan. None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries
has any obligation to create or contribute to any Employee Plan not disclosed in
the Apple SEC Reports or to amend any Employee Plan so disclosed as to increase
benefits or contributions thereunder, except as required under the terms of the
Employee Plans or existing collective bargaining agreements or to comply with
applicable law.

     (b) Except as disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports or on Schedule 3.13, (i)
there have been no Prohibited Transactions with respect to any of the Employee
Plans that could result in penalties, taxes or liabilities which, singly or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
(ii) none of the Employee Plans has incurred any AFD, whether or not waived, as
of the last day of the most recent fiscal year of each of the Employee Plans
ended prior to the date of this Agreement, (iii) each of the Employee Plans has
been operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with
applicable laws during the period of time covered by the applicable statute of
limitations, (iv) each of the Employee Plans that is intended to be a Qualified
Plan either (A) has been determined by the IRS to be a Qualified Plan and such
determination has not been modified, revoked or limited by failure to satisfy
any condition thereof, or (B) Apple has timely applied for a favorable
determination with respect to each Qualified Plan, will use its best efforts to
obtain such determination, and is not aware of any event or condition that could
prevent the IRS from making a favorable determination, (v) to the knowledge of
each of the Sellers, there are no material pending, threatened or anticipated
claims involving any of the Employee Plans other than claims for benefits in the
ordinary course, and (vi) no act, omission or transaction (individually or in
the aggregate) has occurred with respect to any Employee Plan that has resulted
or could result in any material liability (direct or indirect) of any of the
Sellers or any of their subsidiaries under Sections 409 or 502(c)(i) or (l) of
ERISA or Chapter 43 of Subtitle (A) of the Code.

3.14. Labor Controversies. Except as disclosed in the Apple SEC Reports, and
except for such controversies and organizational efforts which, singly or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
(a) there are no significant controversies pending or, to the knowledge of each
of the Sellers, threatened between any of the Sellers or their subsidiaries and
any representatives of any of their employees and (b) to the knowledge of each
of the Sellers, there are no material organizational efforts presently being
made involving any of the presently unorganized employees of any of the Sellers
or their subsidiaries.

3.15. Insurance. Except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
Adverse Effect, the Sellers maintain insurance coverage reasonably adequate for
the Assets and the operations of the Acquired Business.

                                       16

<PAGE>   20

Except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
none of the Sellers or their subsidiaries is in default with respect to any
policies or binders of indemnity, liability, directors' and officers', worker's
compensation, health and other forms of insurance policies or binders in force
as of the date hereof and insuring against risks of any of the Sellers and their
subsidiaries. Except as described in the Apple SEC Reports, no notice of
cancellation or non-renewal with respect to, or disallowance of any claim under,
any such policy has been received by any of the Sellers or any of their
subsidiaries. To the knowledge of each of the Sellers, the Sellers are named as
an additional insured party on the professional liability insurance policies of
their respective affiliated orthodontists.

3.16. Environmental Matters. Except, in each case, as could reasonably be
expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of each of the
Sellers, there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances,
conditions, events or incidents that could form the basis of any claim or action
against, notice to or investigation of, any of the Sellers or their
subsidiaries, or the Assets, the Acquired Locations and the Acquired Business,
arising out of, based on or resulting from the presence or release into the
environment of any hazardous substances in violation of any applicable laws
relating to the generation, use, refinement, removal, storage, production,
manufacture, transportation, disposal, release or discharge of hazardous
substances or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment.

3.17. Brokers and Finders. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.17, none of the
Sellers or their subsidiaries has entered into any contract, arrangement or
understanding with any person or firm which may result in the obligation of any
of the Sellers or their subsidiaries to pay any finder's fees, brokerage fees,
agent commissions or similar fees, commissions or payments in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby, and there is no claim for payment of any
such fees, commissions or payments in connection with the negotiations leading
to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

3.18. No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets. Except for this Agreement, none of
the Sellers or their subsidiaries has any legal obligation, absolute or
contingent, to any other person or firm to sell, assign, transfer or convey all
or any part of the Assets or the Acquired Business, to effect any merger,
consolidation or other reorganization, directly or indirectly, of any of the
Sellers or their subsidiaries, or to enter into any agreement with respect
thereto.

3.19. Reorganization Proceedings. None of the Sellers or their subsidiaries has
taken any action prohibited by the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules or
order of the Bankruptcy Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Case, except as
could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect.

             ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER.

     OCA hereby represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:

4.1. Corporate Organization. OCA is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. OCA is
duly qualified and in good standing to transact business as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership or use of its properties
and the conduct of its business necessitates such qualification, except such
jurisdiction, in which the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be
expected to not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect. True, accurate and
complete copies of OCA's certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and all
amendments thereto, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, have
heretofore been delivered or made available to Apple.

4.2. Authorization; Binding Agreement. OCA has the corporate power and corporate
authority to enter into this Agreement and the other agreements, documents and
instruments to be executed and delivered by OCA pursuant hereto (collectively,
the "Buyer Documents"), and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement and the Buyer Documents, the transactions contemplated therein,
and the execution, delivery and performance thereof by OCA, have been duly
authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of OCA and all other requisite
corporate action. Subject to the entry of the Section 363/365 Order by the
Bankruptcy Court, all proceedings required by law, OCA's governing documents or
otherwise to be taken by OCA to duly authorize and approve this Agreement and
the Buyer Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and the execution,

                                       17

<PAGE>   21

delivery and performance thereof by OCA in accordance with the terms thereof,
have been properly taken. This Agreement has been, and at the Closing this
Agreement and the Buyer Documents shall be, duly and validly executed and
delivered by OCA. Assuming due execution and delivery by Apple and the Canadian
Sellers, this Agreement constitutes, and at the Closing this Agreement and the
Buyer Documents shall each constitute, the valid and binding agreement and
obligation of OCA, enforceable against OCA in accordance with its terms (except
as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally).

4.3. Consents and Approvals. Except for the (i) consents, approvals,
authorizations or orders of, or declarations or filings with, the Bankruptcy
Court, (ii) the filing by OCA and Apple of a pre-merger notification with the
FTC and the Antitrust Division under the HSR Act, and (iii) the consents and
approvals described and listed on Schedule 4.3, neither the execution or
delivery by OCA of this Agreement and the other Buyer Documents, nor the
consummation by OCA of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the
compliance by OCA with the provisions hereof, will require any filing with,
notification to, or permit, consent or approval of, any public, governmental or
regulatory body, agency or authority, except where the failure to do so could
reasonably be expected to not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

4.4. No Conflicts. Neither the execution or delivery by OCA of this Agreement
and the other Buyer Documents, nor the consummation by OCA of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the compliance by OCA with the provisions
hereof, will: (a) violate or conflict with or result in any breach of any
provision of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of OCA; (b) violate or
conflict with any order, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule, ordinance or
regulation applicable to OCA or by which any of its properties or assets may be
bound, except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Buyer Material
Adverse Effect, (c) result in a violation or breach of, constitute a default or
give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under an
agreement, or result in the creation of an Encumbrance upon any property or
asset of OCA or by which any such properties or assets may be bound, except as
could reasonably be expected to not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect; or (d)
result in the loss of any license, franchise or permit, except as could
reasonably be expected to not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect.

4.5. Financing. On the Closing Date, OCA will have sufficient cash on hand or
financing to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

                  ARTICLE 5. CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.

5.1. Notice of the Motion and Order. Apple shall notify, as is required by the
Bankruptcy Code, all parties entitled to notice of the Motions, the Interim
Order and/or the Section 363/365 Order, as modified by orders in respect of
notice which may be issued at any time and from time to time by the Bankruptcy
Court.

5.2. Orders.

     (a) Apple hereby confirms that it is critical to the process of arranging
an orderly sale of Apple's assets to proceed by selecting OCA to enter into this
Agreement in order to present the Bankruptcy Court with arrangements for
obtaining the highest realizable prices for such assets and that, without OCA
having committed substantial time and effort to such process, the estate of
Apple would have to employ a less orderly process of sale and thereby both incur
higher costs and risk attracting lower prices. Accordingly, the contributions of
OCA to the process have indisputably provided very substantial benefit to the
estate of Apple. Apple acknowledges that OCA would not have invested the effort
in negotiating and documenting the transaction provided for herein and incurring
duties to pay its outside advisors if OCA were not entitled to the Break-up Fee
plus reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel incurred as a result of
OCA's attempt to purchase the Assets, if OCA is not the successful bidder for
the Assets.

     (b) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof (and in any event
within three (3) Business Days thereafter), Apple and OCA, as co-moving parties,
shall file and serve motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking (the "Motions"):

                                       18

<PAGE>   22

          (i) an order approving the Break-Up Fee and the Expense Reimbursement
     and all other payments to OCA arising under this Agreement as obligations
     of Apple having priority as an administrative expense in its case before
     the Bankruptcy Court, the Bidding Procedures relating to the sale of the
     Assets under Sections 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, and the adequacy
     of notice to creditors and parties in interest for the approval of the
     transactions contemplated hereby, and setting a date for a hearing on the
     asset sale (the "Interim Order"); and

          (ii) an order authorizing Apple to sell the Assets to OCA pursuant to
     this Agreement and Sections 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, free and
     clear of all Encumbrances in or on the Assets (including any and all
     "claims and interests" in the Assets within the meaning of Section 363(f)
     of the Bankruptcy Code), other than Permitted Encumbrances, and otherwise
     free and clear of claims and liabilities, such that OCA shall not, among
     other things, incur any liability as a successor to Apple's business,
     making a determination that OCA is a good faith purchaser within the
     meaning of Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code, and authorizing, among
     other things, Apple, pursuant to Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, to
     assume and to assign to OCA the Service Agreements, the Contracts and the
     Leases (the "Section 363/365 Order").

     (c) Apple shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Interim
Order and the Section 363/365 Order as soon as reasonably practicable following
the date hereof. The Interim Order shall be in the form attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit 5.2(c)-1, the Section 363/365 Order shall be substantially
in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 5.2(c)-2 (with such changes
thereto proposed by Apple as OCA in its reasonable discretion accepts), and the
motions relating to the Interim Order and the Section 363/365 Order shall be in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to OCA.

     (d) Subject to the Interim Order, Apple shall promptly make any filings,
take all actions, and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any and all
other approvals and orders necessary or appropriate for consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, subject to its obligations to comply with any
order of the Bankruptcy Court.

     (e) In the event an appeal is taken, or a stay pending appeal is requested
or reconsideration is sought, from either the Interim Order or the Section
363/365 Order, Apple shall immediately notify OCA of such appeal or stay request
and shall provide to OCA within one (1) Business Day a copy of the related
notice of appeal or order of stay or application for reconsideration. Apple
shall also provide OCA with written notice, and copies of any other or further
notice of appeal, motion or application filed in connection with any appeal
from, or application for reconsideration of, either of such orders and any
related briefs.

     (f) Apple shall comply in all material respects with the Bankruptcy Code
and all others laws, rules, regulations, decrees and orders promulgated
thereunder in connection with obtaining the Interim Order and the Section
363/365 Order.

     (g) From and after the date hereof, Apple and the Canadian Sellers shall
not take any action, or fail to take any action, which might (i) prevent or
materially impede the vesting, upon the Closing, of the Assets in OCA free and
clear of all Encumbrances and claims and interests of Claimants or (iii) result
in the reversal, voidance, modification or staying of the Interim Order or the
Section 363/365 Order.

5.3. No Solicitation of Other Offers. As an essential inducement for OCA to
enter into this Agreement and without which agreement OCA would not have entered
into this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that:

     (a) Each of the Sellers and each of the Banks, and their respective
officers, directors, employees, representatives, consultants, investment
bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents and Affiliates shall
immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any other parties that
may be ongoing with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. None of the Sellers or
the Banks, or their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives,
consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents and
Affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, take (and none of the Sellers shall
authorize or permit their officers, directors, employees, representatives,
consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other agents and
Affiliates to so take) any action to (i) encourage, solicit, initiate or
facilitate the making of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into any

                                       19

<PAGE>   23

agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or (iii) participate in any
way in discussions or negotiations with, or, furnish or disclose any information
to, any Person (other than OCA) in connection with, or take any other action to
facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal; provided, however,
that Apple, in response to an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal and without
limiting its obligations under Section 8.4, may participate in discussions or
negotiations with or furnish information (pursuant to a confidentiality
agreement with terms not more favorable to such third party than the terms of
the Confidentiality Agreement between Apple and OCA) to any Qualified Third
Party which makes a Superior Proposal pursuant to the Bidding Procedures for
soliciting "higher or better" offers approved by the Bankruptcy Court in the
Interim Order to the extent required under the Bankruptcy Code. In addition,
none of the respective Boards of Directors of the Sellers, nor any committee
thereof, shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a
manner adverse to OCA the approval and recommendation of the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, except in each case as is reasonably required to
approve a Permitted Acquisition, or (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to
approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal; provided that the Board of
Directors of Apple may recommend an Acquisition Proposal and in connection
therewith withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of the transactions
contemplated herein if (i) a Qualified Third Party makes a Superior Proposal and
(ii) Apple shall pay to OCA the amounts required pursuant to Section 8.4.

     (b) On the date of receipt thereof, each of the Sellers shall promptly
advise OCA of any request for information with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal, or any inquiry, proposal, discussions or negotiation with respect to
any Acquisition Proposal, the terms and conditions of such an Acquisition
Proposal or request, inquiry, proposal, discussion or negotiation, and each of
the Sellers shall promptly provide to OCA copies of any written materials
received by any of the Sellers in connection with any of the foregoing, and the
identity of the Person making any such Acquisition Proposal or any such request,
inquiry or proposal with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or with whom any
such discussion or negotiations with respect to any Acquisition Proposal are
taking place. Each of the Sellers shall keep OCA fully informed of the status
and details (including amendments or proposed amendments) of any such
Acquisition Proposal or request and keep Buyer fully informed as to the details
of any information requested of or provided by any of the Sellers in connection
with any of the foregoing, and as to the details of all discussions or
negotiations with respect to any such Acquisition Proposal or request or inquiry
with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. Each of the Sellers shall promptly
provide to OCA any non-public information concerning any of the Sellers provided
to any other Person in connection with any Acquisition Proposal which was not
previously provided to OCA.

     (c) Immediately following the Closing, each of the Sellers shall request
each Person which has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in
connection with an Acquisition Proposal to return all confidential information
heretofore furnished to such Person by or on behalf of any of the Sellers.

     (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3, each of
the Sellers shall have the right to solicit, respond to, negotiate, or engage in
discussions or enter into an agreement with respect to, any Permitted
Acquisition Proposal (each in accordance with the definition of a Permitted
Acquisition Proposal), and to consummate or close a Permitted Acquisition.

5.4. Agreement To Cooperate.

     (a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of the
parties hereto will use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using its
reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary or appropriate orders, waivers,
consents or approvals of third parties, and to lift any injunction or other
legal bar to the transactions contemplated herein (and, in such case, to proceed
with the transactions contemplated herein as expeditiously as possible).

     (b) Without limitation of the foregoing, each party hereto undertakes and
agrees to file as soon as practicable after the date hereof a Notification and
Report Form and related material under the HSR Act with the FTC and the
Antitrust Division. Each party hereto shall use their best efforts to obtain an
early termination of the applicable waiting period, shall make any further
filings or information submissions pursuant thereto that may be necessary,
proper or advisable, and shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to
comply as expeditiously as

                                       20

<PAGE>   24

possible with all lawful requests of the FTC or the Antitrust Division for
additional information and documents and (ii) not extend any waiting period
under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with the FTC or the Antitrust
Division not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except with the prior written consent of the other parties hereto. Each of OCA
and Apple shall bear and pay 50% of the amount of the filing fees for filing
such Notification and Report Form under the HSR Act.

     (c) The Sellers shall permit OCA and its representatives to communicate
with individuals who are employed by the Sellers in the Acquired Locations, at
reasonable times and upon reasonable notice to Apple, to interview and have
discussions with such individuals for purposes of their potential employment by
OCA or its Affiliates following the Closing. The Sellers shall reasonably assist
OCA and its representatives in such efforts, and shall provide OCA and its
representatives access to personnel records and other information concerning
such employees as OCA may reasonably request (subject to obtaining any consent
required by applicable law with respect to such access). The Buyer and its
Affiliates shall be under no obligation to employ any employee of the Sellers or
their Affiliates.

5.5. Public Statements. OCA and Apple will consult with each other and will
mutually agree on any press releases or public announcements pertaining to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and will not issue any such
press releases or make any such public announcements prior to such consultation
and agreement, unless and to the extent OCA or Apple is advised by their
respective legal counsel that such release or announcement, without prior
consultation and agreement, is required by applicable law or by obligations
pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange, in
which case the party proposing to issue such press release or make such public
announcement will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to consult in
good faith with the other party before issuing any such press releases or making
any such public announcements.

5.6. Non-Competition. Except as expressly provided below and except with respect
to the Sellers' current locations and operations as of the date hereof other
than the Acquired Business (as determined as of the Closing, following the
adjustments provided in Section 2.7), for a period of three (3) years following
the Closing Date (the "Non-Competition Period"), none of the Sellers will,
directly or indirectly, though a subsidiary, Affiliate or otherwise: (i) in any
geographic area where OCA conducts business during the Non-Competition Period,
own, operate or engage or participate in directly or indirectly (whether as a
holder of an equity or debt investment, lender or in any other manner or
capacity), or lend any of the Sellers' name (or any part or variant thereof) to,
any business which is, or as a result of any of the Sellers' engagement or
participation would become, competitive with OCA; (ii) deal, directly or
indirectly, in a competitive manner with the Assets or the Acquired Business
during the Non-Competition Period; or (iii) solicit any officer, director,
employee, agent or affiliated orthodontist or professional entity of OCA
following the Closing Date to become an officer, director, employee, agent or
affiliated orthodontist or professional entity of any of the Sellers.

5.7. Access. OCA and its employees, agents, attorneys, consultants, lenders,
accountants and other authorized representatives shall have full access, upon
reasonable notice to Apple, under reasonable circumstances, during normal
business hours and at other reasonable times, to all of each of the Sellers' and
their subsidiaries' properties, books, contracts, commitments, records,
facilities, personnel, employees, customers, affiliated orthodontists, advisors,
lenders and others having a business relationship with any of the Sellers and
their subsidiaries, in order to permit OCA to inspect the Assets and any other
items relating to the Acquired Business. Such investigation shall include, among
other things, the receipt of relevant financial information, and the review of
any relevant contractual obligations of any of the Sellers and their
subsidiaries. Such investigation shall not limit or affect any representation or
warranty set forth in Article 3 hereof. Information obtained pursuant to such
investigation shall be held in confidence in accordance with the Confidentiality
Agreement. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, each of the Sellers shall promptly
notify OCA of any material adverse change in the Assets, the Acquired Business,
the Assumed Liabilities, and the financial position, earnings or business of any
of the Sellers after the date hereof and prior to the Closing, and any
unexpected emergency or other unanticipated change in the business of any of the
Sellers, and of any governmental complaints, investigations or hearings or
adjudicatory proceedings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated), or of any other matter which may be material to any of the
Sellers, the Assets, the Acquired Business and the Assumed Liabilities.

5.8. Conduct of the Business. Each of the Sellers agrees that, except as
permitted, required or specifically contemplated by, or otherwise described in,
this Agreement, or otherwise consented to or approved in writing by

                                       21

<PAGE>   25

OCA, during the period commencing on the date hereof until the earlier of the
Closing or the date on which this Agreement shall have been terminated:

     (a) Each of the Sellers and their respective subsidiaries shall conduct the
operations of the Acquired Business only according to their ordinary course of
business and shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to preserve
intact their respective business organization, keep available the services of
their officers and employees and maintain satisfactory relationships with
independent contractors, employees, licensors, suppliers, distributors, clients,
affiliated orthodontists and professional entities, payors, and others having
significant business relationships with any of the Sellers, except where such
failure could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (b) None of the Sellers or their respective subsidiaries shall take any of
the following actions:

          (i) make any change in or amendment to their respective certificate of
     incorporation, articles of incorporation, bylaws or comparable governing
     documents;

          (ii) issue or sell, or authorize to issue or sell, any shares of
     capital stock or any other securities of any of the Canadian Sellers and
     any other subsidiaries of Apple or the Canadian Sellers, or issue or sell,
     or authorize to issue or sell, any securities convertible into, or options,
     warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe to, or enter into any
     arrangement or contract with respect to the issuance or sale of, any shares
     of capital stock or any other securities of any of the Canadian Sellers and
     any other subsidiaries of Apple or the Canadian Sellers, or make any other
     changes in the capital structure of any of the Canadian Sellers and any
     other subsidiaries of Apple or the Canadian Sellers;

          (iii) sell or pledge or agree to sell or pledge any shares of capital
     stock or other securities of any of the Canadian Sellers and any other
     subsidiaries of Apple or the Canadian Sellers, or any securities
     convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe
     to, or any arrangement or contract with respect to the issuance or sale of,
     any shares of capital stock or any other securities of any of the Canadian
     Sellers and any other subsidiaries of Apple or the Canadian Sellers;

          (iv) except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
     Adverse Effect, declare, pay or set aside any dividend or other
     distribution or payment with respect to, or split, combine, redeem or
     reclassify, or purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital
     stock or its other securities;

          (v) except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
     Adverse Effect, enter into any management services agreement or acquisition
     agreement (or similar agreements) with any orthodontist, dentist or
     professional entity, nor any contract or commitment with respect to assets
     or capital expenditures with a value in excess of, or requiring
     expenditures by the any of the Sellers or any of their subsidiaries in
     excess of, $10,000, or enter into contracts or commitments with respect to
     assets or capital expenditures with a value in excess of, or requiring
     expenditures by any of the Sellers or any of their subsidiaries in excess
     of, $25,000, in the aggregate;

          (vi) except as is reasonably required to consummate a Permitted
     Acquisition with respect to an orthodontic practice to which the following
     pertains, and except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
     Adverse Effect, transfer, lease, license, guarantee, sell, mortgage,
     pledge, dispose of, encumber or subject to any lien, any of the Assets, or
     incur or modify any of the Assumed Liabilities other than in the ordinary
     course of business, or, except as could reasonably be expected to not have
     a Material Adverse Effect, issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee
     or endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the
     obligations of any Person or, other than in the ordinary course of business
     or as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect,
     make any loan or other extension of credit;

          (vii) agree to the settlement of any material claim or litigation
     included in the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, except as is reasonably
     required to consummate a Permitted Acquisition with respect to an
     orthodontic practice to which such claim or litigation pertains;

                                       22

<PAGE>   26

          (viii) except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
     Adverse Effect, accelerate the payment, right to payment or vesting of any
     bonus, severance, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, stock
     option, insurance or other compensation or benefits;

          (ix) except as is reasonably required to consummate a Permitted
     Acquisition with respect to an orthodontic practice to which the following
     pertains, pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
     (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise)
     included in the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, other than the payment,
     discharge or satisfaction of any such claims, liabilities or obligations in
     the ordinary course of business;

          (x) enter into any agreement, understanding or commitment that
     restrains, limits or impedes any of the Sellers' or their subsidiaries'
     ability to compete with or conduct any business or line of business,
     including, but not limited to, geographic limitations on any of the
     Sellers' or their subsidiaries' activities;

          (xi) except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material
     Adverse Effect, plan, announce, implement or effect any reduction in force,
     lay-off, early retirement program, severance program or other program or
     effort concerning the termination of employment of employees of any of the
     Sellers or their subsidiaries, other than routine employee terminations for
     cause;

          (xii) take any action, engage in any transaction or enter into any
     agreement which would cause any of the representations or warranties set
     forth in Article 3 that are subject to, or qualified by, a "Material
     Adverse Effect," or other materiality qualification to be untrue as of the
     Closing Date, or any such representations and warranties that are not so
     qualified to be untrue in any material respect;

          (xiii) modify, amend or terminate any Service Agreement, Contract,
     Lease, Receivable (except as contemplated in Sections 6.3 and 7.7) or,
     except as could reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse
     Effect, any other contract or agreement to which it is a party or waive any
     of its material rights or claims except in the ordinary course of business
     and except, in each of the foregoing cases, as is reasonably required to
     consummate a Permitted Acquisition with respect to an orthodontic practice
     to which such Service Agreement, Contract, Lease, Receivable or other
     contract or agreement pertains;

          (xiv) fail to maintain adequate insurance coverage for the Assets and
     the Acquired Business; or

          (xv) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing
     actions.

5.9. Changes in Representations and Warranties; Updated Schedules. Between the
date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, none of the Sellers shall, directly
and indirectly, subject to orders of the Bankruptcy Court, enter into any
transaction, take any action, or knowingly by inaction permit an event to occur,
which would result in any of the representations and warranties of each of the
Sellers herein contained not being true and correct at and as of the Closing.
Each of the Sellers and OCA agree to give prompt notice to the other, and to use
their respective reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly remedy, (a) the
occurrence or failure to occur, or the impending or threatened occurrence or
failure to occur, of any event whose occurrence or failure to occur would be
likely to cause any of its representations or warranties in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to
the Closing, (b) any material failure on its part to comply with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it
hereunder and (c) any fact which, if known by it on the date hereof, would have
been required to be set forth or disclosed by it pursuant to this Agreement.
From time to time prior to the Closing, each of the Sellers shall promptly
supplement or amend information previously delivered to OCA with respect to any
matter arising hereafter which, if currently existing, occurring or known, would
have been required to be set forth, disclosed or described in a schedule hereto,
and shall promptly deliver such supplement or amendment to OCA.

5.10. Transfer Tax. Each of the Sellers and OCA shall cooperate in the
preparation, execution and filing of all returns, questionnaires, applications
or other documents regarding any real property transfer or gains, sales, use,
transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording,
registration and other fees and any similar taxes which become payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together

                                       23

<PAGE>   27

with any related interest, penalties or additions to tax, "Transfer Taxes").
Each of the Sellers shall promptly pay all Transfer Taxes, and such Transfer
Taxes expressly shall not be a liability of OCA.

5.11. Presentation of Acquisition Proposal to Bankruptcy Court. No Acquisition
Proposal shall be presented to the Bankruptcy Court for approval unless each of
the following conditions have been satisfied: (i) the Board of Directors of
Apple approves the proposed Acquisition Proposal; (ii) the orthodontic practice
or practices which are the subject of the Acquisition Proposal approve of and
consent to the Acquisition Proposal in writing; (iii) the credit-worthiness of
the Person making the Acquisition Proposal has been confirmed to the
satisfaction of the Banks; and (iv) the Person making the Acquisition Proposal
has, and has provided the Banks with satisfactory proof of, committed bank or
other financing for such Person's Acquisition Proposal.

5.12. Canadian Sellers Board and Shareholder Approvals. Apple shall use its best
efforts to cause the respective Boards of Directors and shareholders of each of
the Canadian Sellers to take the following actions, as soon as practicable
following the date hereof and prior to the Closing: (i) duly authorize and
approve this Agreement and the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated
therein, and the execution, delivery and performance thereof by the applicable
Canadian Seller, (ii) with respect to each such Board of Directors, duly submit
this Agreement, the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and
the execution, delivery and performance thereof by the applicable Canadian
Seller, to the shareholders of such Canadian Seller for their approval and
authorization thereof, and (iii) take all other requisite corporate action with
respect to this Agreement, the Seller Documents and the transactions
contemplated therein, all in accordance with applicable law and the applicable
Canadian Seller's governing documents. In connection with such actions, any
officer or director of Apple serving on the Board of Directors of a Canadian
Seller shall vote in favor of approving and authorizing this Agreement and the
Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and the execution,
delivery and performance thereof by such Canadian Seller, and submission of this
Agreement, the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein and the
execution, delivery and performance thereof by such Canadian Seller, to the
shareholders of such Canadian Seller for their approval and authorization
thereof. In addition, with respect to each share of capital stock of Canadian
Apple held by Apple, Apple shall vote in favor of approving and authorizing this
Agreement and the Seller Documents, the transactions contemplated therein, and
the execution, delivery and performance thereof by the Canadian Sellers. Apple
shall promptly give notice thereof to OCA upon obtaining such approvals and
authorizations from the respective Board of Directors and shareholders of each
Canadian Seller.

               ARTICLE 6. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER.

          The obligation of OCA to consummate the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, or the waiver in
     writing by OCA, on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
     conditions:

6.1. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants. Each of the
representations and warranties of each of the Sellers contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects, except for representations
and warranties that are not qualified by materiality (including the terms
"material," "in any material respects," "in all material respects" and "Material
Adverse Effect"), which representations and warranties shall be true and correct
in all material respects, when made and as of the Closing Date, with the same
effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of
the Closing Date (except representations and warranties that are made as of a
specific date need be true and correct in all respects, or material respects, as
applicable, only as of such date) and each of the covenants and agreements of
each of the Sellers to be performed on or prior to the Closing Date shall have
been duly performed in all material respects.

6.2. Entry of the Orders. The Interim Order and the Section 363/365 Order shall
have been entered by the Bankruptcy Court, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to OCA, and such orders shall not have been stayed, modified,
reversed or amended, dissolved, revoked or rescinded and shall have become and
be final and enforceable orders, in full force and effect, and not subject to
any stay or injunction.

6.3. Amendments to Service Agreements. Each of the parties to each of the
Service Agreements that are included within the Assets, following application of
the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a), shall have executed and delivered
an amendment to such respective Service Agreements, in form and substance
satisfactory to OCA and

                                       24

<PAGE>   28

its counsel, which amendment shall, among other things, provide for consent to
the assignment and transfer of such Service Agreement pursuant to this
Agreement.

6.4. Material Adverse Effect. From the date of this Agreement, there shall not
have been any Material Adverse Effect to any of the Sellers, the Assets, the
Assumed Liabilities or the Acquired Business.

6.5. Consents; HSR. All consents, authorizations, orders, approvals of, or
filings or registrations with, any governmental commission, board, authority or
regulatory body required in connection with, or to consummate, the transactions
contemplated herein shall have been obtained or made, and the waiting period
(and any extension thereof) with respect to the HSR Act shall have expired or
been terminated.

6.6. No Proceedings. There shall not be pending, entered, issued, enacted or
threatened any action, decree, injunction, order, rule, statute, regulation or
proceeding of, by or before any federal, state or foreign court, governmental,
administrative, legislative or regulatory authority, agency or body which shall
have the effect of: (i) making illegal, preventing, delaying or otherwise
directly or indirectly restraining or prohibiting the transactions contemplated
herein; (ii) prohibiting or materially limiting the ownership or operation of
any of the Assets or the Acquired Business by OCA or any of its subsidiaries;
(iii) requiring divestiture by OCA of any Assets; or (iv) challenging the
transactions contemplated herein, or involving or seeking material damages or
other relief in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

6.7. Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer. Each of the Sellers shall have
delivered to OCA the Bill of Sale, assignments of the Leases and the Contracts,
and such other deeds, bills of sale, endorsements, assignments, and other good
and sufficient instruments of conveyance and transfer (including, without
limitation, assignments of any Intellectual Property in recordable form), in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to OCA and its counsel, as are
effective to vest in OCA good title and all of each of the Sellers' rights and
interests in and to the Assets, free and clear of any Encumbrances.

6.8. Dismissal of Litigation Against Service Agreement Parties. Apple shall have
caused to be dismissed, with prejudice, any and all lawsuits and other legal
action pending in the Bankruptcy Court or otherwise by Apple or the Canadian
Sellers against any party to any Service Agreement that is included within the
Assets, following application of the adjustments described in Section 2.7(a).

6.9. Certificates. Each of the Sellers shall have delivered to OCA the following
certificates, each dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the applicable
officers of the Sellers:

     (a) A certificate signed by the president of Apple, certifying as to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of Apple contained herein, and
the performance of the covenants and agreements of Apple contained herein, each
as contemplated in Section 6.1;

     (b) A certificate of the corporate secretary of Apple, certifying as to
the: (i) true and complete copies attached thereto of Apple's certificate of
incorporation and bylaws, as in effect on the Closing Date; (ii) incumbency and
genuineness of the signatures of each officer of Apple executing this Agreement
and the other Seller Documents on behalf of Apple; (iii) genuineness of the true
and complete copies attached thereto of resolutions duly adopted by Apple's
Board of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Seller Documents, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and (iv) certificate attached
thereto of the secretaries of state, or other applicable officials, of each
state and province in which Apple is organized and qualified to do business,
certifying as to the good standing of Apple with respect to such respective
states and provinces;

     (c) A certificate signed by the president of each of the Canadian Sellers,
certifying as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of such
Canadian Seller contained herein, and the performance of the covenants and
agreements of such Canadian Seller contained herein, each as contemplated in
Section 6.1; and

     (d) A certificate of the corporate secretary of each of the Canadian
Sellers, certifying as to the: (i) true and complete copies attached thereto of
such Canadian Seller's articles of incorporation and bylaws, or other

                                       25

<PAGE>   29

governing documents, as in effect on the Closing Date; (ii) incumbency and
genuineness of the signatures of each officer of such Canadian Seller executing
this Agreement and the other Seller Documents on behalf of such Canadian Seller;
(iii) genuineness of the true and complete copies attached thereto of
resolutions duly adopted by such Canadian Seller's Board of Directors
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
other Seller Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby; (iv) genuineness of the true and complete copies attached
thereto of resolutions duly adopted by the shareholders of such Canadian Seller
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
other Seller Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby; and (v) certificate attached thereto of the secretaries of
state, or other applicable officials, of each state and province in which such
Canadian Seller is organized and qualified to do business, certifying as to the
good standing and non-delinquent tax status of such Canadian Seller with respect
to such respective states and provinces.

              ARTICLE 7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLERS.

     The obligation of the Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be subject to the fulfillment, or the waiver by Apple, on or prior
to the Closing Date, of the following conditions:

7.1. Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants. Each of the
representations and warranties of OCA contained in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all respects, except for representations and warranties that are
not qualified by materiality (including the terms "material," "in any material
respects," "in all material respects" and "Buyer Material Adverse Effect"),
which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material
respects, when made and as of the Closing Date, with the same effect as though
such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date
(except representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date need
be true and correct in all respects, or material respects, as applicable, only
as of such date) and each of the covenants and agreements of OCA to be performed
on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly performed in all material
respects.

7.2. Entry of the Orders. The Interim Order and the Section 363/365 Order shall
have been entered by the Bankruptcy Court, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to OCA, and such orders shall not have been stayed, modified,
reversed or amended, dissolved, revoked or rescinded and shall have become and
be final and enforceable orders, in full force and effect, and not subject to
any stay or injunction.

7.3. Consents; HSR. All consents, authorizations, orders, approvals of, or
filings or registrations with, any governmental commission, board, authority or
regulatory body required in connection with, or to consummate, the transactions
contemplated herein shall have been obtained or made, and the waiting period
(and any extension thereof) with respect to the HSR Act shall have expired or
been terminated.

7.4. No Proceedings. There shall not be pending, entered, issued, enacted or
threatened any action, decree, injunction, order, rule, statute, regulation or
proceeding of, by or before any federal, state or foreign court, governmental,
administrative, legislative or regulatory authority, agency or body which shall
have the effect of: (i) making illegal, preventing, delaying or otherwise
directly or indirectly restraining or prohibiting the transactions contemplated
herein; (ii) prohibiting or materially limiting the ownership or operation of
any of the Assets or the Acquired Business by OCA or any of its subsidiaries;
(iii) requiring divestiture by OCA of any Assets; or (iv) challenging the
transactions contemplated herein, or involving or seeking material damages or
other relief in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

7.5. Certificates. OCA shall have delivered to Apple the following certificates,
each dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the applicable officer of OCA:

     (a) A certificate signed by the president of OCA, certifying as to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of OCA contained herein, and the
performance of the covenants and agreements of OCA contained herein, each as
contemplated in Section 7.1; and

                                       26

<PAGE>   30

     (b) A certificate of the corporate secretary of OCA, certifying as to the:
(i) true and complete copies attached thereto of OCA's certificate of
incorporation and bylaws, as in effect on the Closing Date; (ii) incumbency and
genuineness of the signatures of each officer of OCA executing this Agreement
and the other Buyer Documents on behalf of OCA; (iii) genuineness of the true
and complete copies attached thereto of resolutions duly adopted by OCA's Board
of Directors authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Buyer Documents, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and (iv) certificate attached
thereto of the Delaware Secretary of State, certifying as to the good standing
of OCA with respect to such state.

7.6. Mutual General Release and Covenant Not to Sue. Each Service Agreement
Party that is a party to a Service Agreement which is included within the Assets
as of the Closing, following application of the adjustments described in Section
2.7(a), and any other orthodontist who received any consideration from any of
the Sellers in connection with the initial execution of such Service Agreement
and who is currently employed by or an independent contractor with such Service
Agreement Party or a professional entity thereof (each, collectively with each
such Service Agreement Party, a "Releasing Party"), shall have executed and
delivered to Apple a Mutual General Release and Covenant Not to Sue ("Release"),
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.6, which Release shall
provide for, among other things, effective as of the Closing, (i) the mutual
release by Apple and such Releasing Party of claims against the other, (ii) the
transfer, conveyance, assignment and delivery to Apple by such Releasing Party
of all of the shares of Apple's capital stock which are held by such Releasing
Party beneficially or of record, and all of such Releasing Party's respective
rights, title and interest in such shares, free and clear of all liens, claims
and encumbrances, and (iii) execution and delivery to Apple by such Releasing
Party of an irrevocable stock power with respect to such shares of Apple's
capital stock, in substantially the form attached as an exhibit to such Release.

7.7. Amendment to Service Agreement. The orthodontist and professional entities
that are parties to each of the Service Agreements included in the Assets as of
the Closing, following application of the adjustments described in Section
2.7(a), shall have executed and delivered an amendment to their respective
Service Agreement, which amendment (i) shall include an acknowledgement and
agreement by such parties of the amount of Receivables owing by such parties to
the Sellers, which amount of Receivables shall not be materially less than the
amount therefor set forth in Schedule 2.1(c), and (ii) shall not include any
provision that is inconsistent in any material respects with the form of
amendment included with a letter from Apple to its affiliated practices
describing this transaction and certain alternatives (which letter was dated
and/or sent February 21, February 22 or March 21, 2000), and that is materially
adverse to any of the Sellers (provided, that the deletion of provisions
regarding forgiveness of indebtedness, assumption of obligations to pay practice
acquisition consideration, issuance of stock or stock options, payment of
deferred purchase price, and/or dismissal of pending litigation by such parties
against Apple or any of the Canadian Sellers, shall not be deemed to be
materially adverse to any of the Sellers).

                       ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENT; TERMINATION.

8.1. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the written agreement of Apple,
the Canadian Sellers and OCA at any time prior to the Closing Date.

8.2. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated as follows:

     (a) By mutual written agreement of Apple and OCA prior to the Closing;

     (b) By OCA or by Apple (subject to payment to OCA of the Break-Up Fee and
the Expense Reimbursement), in the event an Acquisition Proposal is presented by
Apple to the Bankruptcy Court for approval;

     (c) By OCA or by Apple (subject to payment to OCA of the Break-Up Fee and
the Expense Reimbursement), if any of the Sellers accepts an Acquisition
Proposal, or enters into an agreement or contract with respect to an Acquisition
Proposal;

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<PAGE>   31

     (d) By OCA or by Apple (subject to payment to OCA of the Break-Up Fee and
the Expense Reimbursement), in the event that the Bankruptcy Court issues any
order, writ, judgment, decree or injunction approving or permitting the
consummation of an Acquisition Proposal;

     (e) By OCA or by Apple (subject to payment to OCA of the Break-Up Fee and
the Expense Reimbursement), if either of the Banks, or by OCA, if any of the
Sellers, withdraws, modifies in a manner adverse to OCA or discloses its
intention to so withdraw or modify, its support for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated in this Agreement, except in each case as is
reasonably required to approve a Permitted Acquisition;

     (f) By OCA, at any time after May 31, 2000, if the Closing fails to occur
on or before such date, unless such failure is due to the action or inaction of
OCA;

     (g) By Apple, at any time after May 31, 2000, if the Closing fails to occur
on or before such date, unless such failure is due to the action or inaction of
any of the Sellers;

     (h) By OCA, on the date, if any, on which the Bankruptcy Court denies the
Interim Order;

     (i) By OCA, if, the Interim Order does not become Final within eleven (11)
days following entry on the docket of such order. For purposes hereof, "Final"
means such order is not stayed, vacated or otherwise rendered ineffective, all
applicable periods for appeal of such order shall have passed without an appeal
therefrom having been taken, or if any such appeal shall have been taken, such
appeal shall have been dismissed and all applicable periods for further appeal
of such order shall have passed;

     (j) By OCA or Apple if any material term or provision of this Agreement is,
upon review or consideration, rejected or otherwise disapproved by the
Bankruptcy Court;

     (k) By OCA, if the Section 363/365 Order does not become Final within
eleven (11) days following entry on the docket of such order; or

     (l) By OCA or Apple, if, after being entered by the Bankruptcy Court, the
Section 363/365 Order, has been reversed, revoked, voided or materially modified
or stayed by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

8.3. Effect of Termination. The right of termination under this Article 8 may be
exercised by OCA or Apple, as the case may be, only by giving written notice,
signed on behalf of such party by its duly authorized officer, to the other
parties hereto, and this Agreement will thereafter become void and have no force
and effect and, except for Sections 8.4 and 9.5, any and all obligations,
liabilities and responsibilities of the Sellers and OCA to each other under this
Agreement or otherwise will terminate without any continued obligation,
liability or responsibility of the Sellers or OCA to the other, except for
Sections 8.4 and 9.5, and except that (a) upon request therefor, each party will
return all documents, workpapers and other material of any other party relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether so obtained before
or after the execution of this Agreement, to the party furnishing the same, and
all confidential information received by any party to this Agreement with
respect to the business of the other party will be treated in accordance with
the Confidentiality Agreement, which agreement shall remain in full force and
effect; and (b) no exercise by either party of its right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2 shall prejudice that party's rights and
remedies against the other party for breach of such other party's obligations
under this Agreement or otherwise, except that in the event that the Sellers pay
to OCA the Expense Reimbursement and Break-Up Fee in accordance with Section
8.4, payment of such Expense Reimbursement and Break-Up Fee shall constitute
OCA's sole and exclusive remedy against any or all of the Sellers with respect
to a breach by any of the Sellers of their respective obligations under this
Agreement (except with respect to Sections 8.4 and 9.5).

8.4. Break-Up Fee and Expenses. As an essential inducement for OCA to enter into
this Agreement and without which agreement OCA would not have entered into this
Agreement, the parties hereto agree that, in the event that this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Sections 8.2(b), 8.2(c), 8.2(d) or 8.2(e), the Sellers
shall, jointly and severally, on the Business Day immediately following the date
of termination: (i) reimburse OCA in immediately available funds for all of
OCA's reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, filing fees and fees and expenses of its legal and accounting
advisors, and all fees and all expenses paid

                                       28

<PAGE>   32

or payable to OCA's potential financing sources) incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, including due
diligence, negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement
and all other documents or actions contemplated hereby or related to this
Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby and any related financing, in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000 (the "Expense Reimbursement"); and (ii)
in addition, pay to OCA in immediately available funds an amount equal to
$600,000 (the "Break-Up Fee"). The parties agree that the Break-Up Fee and the
Expense Reimbursement shall be treated and paid as an administrative expense in
connection with the bankruptcy of Apple filed under the Bankruptcy Code. The
Sellers will concurrently herewith cause each of the Banks to expressly carve
out from its liens on the Assets an amount sufficient to pay the Break-Up Fee
and the Expense Reimbursement. Each of the Banks hereby expressly carves out
from its liens on the Assets an amount sufficient to pay the Break-Up Fee and
the Expense Reimbursement.

                               ARTICLE 9. GENERAL.

9.1. Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Agreements. No
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive beyond the
Closing; however, the covenants and agreements set forth in Sections 2.7(b),
2.11, 5.5, 5.6, 5.10 and 9.5 shall survive the Closing.

9.2. Notices. All notices, claims, demands and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon (a) confirmation of receipt
of a facsimile transmission, (b) confirmed delivery by a standard overnight
carrier or when delivered by hand, or (c) the expiration of three (3) Business
Days after the day when mailed by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid,
return receipt requested), addressed to the respective parties at the following
addresses (or such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):

     (a) If to OCA, to               Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc.
                                     3850 N. Causeway Boulevard, Suite 990
                                     Metairie, Louisiana 70002
                                     Telecopy No.: (504) 833-8832
                                     Attention: Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.

         With a copy (which          Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC
         shall not constitute        511 Union Street, Suite 2100
         notice) to:                 Nashville, Tennessee 37219
                                     Telecopy No.: (615) 244-6804
                                     Attention: J. Chase Cole, Esq.
                                     and

     (b) If to any of the Sellers,
         to                          Apple Orthodontix, Inc.
                                     2777 Allen Parkway
                                     Suite 700
                                     Houston, Texas 77019
                                     Telecopy No.: (713) 852-2554
                                     Attention: A. Stone Douglass

         With a copy (which          Katten Muchin Zavis
         shall not constitute        525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
         notice) to:                 Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
                                     Telecopy No.: (312) 902-1061
                                     Attention: Jeff J. Marwil, Esq.

9.3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits
thereto, and the other documents and instruments referred to herein, including
the Confidentiality Agreement and any written agreement between OCA and the
Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a)) constitutes the entire agreement and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them, with respect to the subject

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<PAGE>   33

matter hereof, including any transaction between or among the parties hereto. No
representation, promise, inducement or statement of intention has been made by
the Sellers or OCA that is not embodied in this Agreement or the other
agreements referred to herein and entered into in connection herewith, the
schedules or exhibits hereto, or the written statements, certificates or other
documents delivered pursuant hereto.

9.4. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the
principles of conflict of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction. Each of the
parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally consent to submit to the
jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court for any litigation arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agree
not to commence any litigation relating hereto except in the Bankruptcy Court).
If legal action is commenced to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party in
such action shall be entitled to recover its costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees in addition to any other relief granted. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this being in addition to
any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

9.5. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are consummated, all costs and expense, including legal fees, incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby shall
be paid by the party incurring such expenses. All federal, state and local
income, transfer and sales taxes arising from the disposition of the Assets and
Assumed Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne by the Sellers.

9.6. Amendment. This Agreement and the exhibits and schedules thereto may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of all the parties
hereto.

9.7. Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing, the parties hereto may (a) extend
the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and
(c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein.
Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of
such party.

9.8. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement shall become
effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts thereof signed
by all the other parties hereto.

9.9. Assignment; Successors and Assigns; Parties In Interest. No party hereto
shall assign this Agreement, or its right or duties hereunder, by operation of
law or otherwise, without first obtaining the written consent of the other party
hereto. Subject to the foregoing provisions, all of the rights, benefits,
duties, liabilities and obligations of the parties hereto shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and
assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer
upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder.

9.10. Severability. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted herefrom and the
remainder of such provision and of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall
continue in full force and effect. In furtherance and not in limitation of the
foregoing, if the duration or geographic extent of, or business activity covered
by, any provision of this Agreement shall be in excess of that which is
enforceable under applicable law, then such provision shall be construed to
cover only that duration, extent or activities which may be validly and
enforceably covered.

9.11. Risk of Loss. The risk of loss or damage to the Assets by fire, other
casualty or condemnation prior to the Closing is retained by the Sellers.

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<PAGE>   34

9.12. Remedies Cumulative. All rights, powers and remedies provided under this
Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be
cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of
any thereof by any party shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise
of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.

                            ARTICLE 10. DEFINITIONS.

     As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings
ascribed thereto:

"Accountant's Determination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Acquired Business" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

"Acquired Locations" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

"Acquisition Proposal" shall mean any proposal or offer from any Person (other
than OCA) relating to any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in a
single transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or a material
portion of the Assets (including in connection with the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of any of the Sellers), or of all or a
substantial portion of the equity securities of any of the Sellers, or any
merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation,
dissolution or similar transaction involving any of the Sellers; provided,
however, that the term "Acquisition Proposal" shall not include any Permitted
Acquisition Proposal.

"Actual Office Lease Cure Costs" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7.

"Actual Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.7.

"Actual Net Receivables" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Actual Net Receivables Benchmark Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.7.

"Actual Payables" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Actual Payables Benchmark Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7.

"AFD" means an accumulated funding deficiency as defined in Section 302 of ERISA
and Section 412 of the Code.

"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which, directly
or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled
by, or is under common control with, such Person.

"Agreed Discount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

"Agreement" means this Asset Purchase Agreement.

"Antitrust Division" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

"Apple" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"Apple SEC Reports" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

"Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Assignment and Undertaking" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

"Assumed Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

                                       31

<PAGE>   35

"Assumed Payables" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

"Assumed Payables Benchmark Amount" means an amount agreed upon in writing by
OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 2.7.

"Balance Sheet" means the condensed and consolidated balance sheets of Apple and
its subsidiaries, dated September 30, 1999 and included in Apple's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, as filed with the
SEC.

"Bankruptcy Code" means Title I of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended
and codified in Title 11 of the United States Code.

"Bankruptcy Court" means the Bankruptcy Court unit of the United States District
Court for the District of Delaware, or the Southern District of Texas, as
applicable, or such other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Case or
any proceeding relating thereto.

"Bankruptcy Rules" means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, as the same
are applicable to the Chapter 11 Case.

"Banks" means Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., and Paribas.

"Bidding Procedures" means a final, nonappealable order of the Bankruptcy Court
which provides that (i) notice of Apple's motion to approve the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement be served on all creditors of Apple; (ii) notice
of Apple's motion to approve the transactions contemplated in this Agreement be
published in the local newspaper having the largest circulation in each location
of an Acquired Location; (iii) no competing offer to purchase the Assets shall
be eligible for consideration by the Bankruptcy Court unless it is substantially
identical to the terms set form in this Agreement (including, without
limitation, an offer to purchase all of the Assets for immediately available
funds); (iv) no competing offer to purchase the Assets shall be eligible for
consideration by the Bankruptcy Court unless such offeree is bound to deliver
consideration for the Assets at least $850,000 greater than the Purchase Price,
and includes evidence, reasonably acceptable to OCA, demonstrating that the
offeree is a Qualified Third Party (the "Initial Overbid"); (v) offers made
after the Initial Overbid to purchase the Assets shall exceed the Purchase
Price, as increased pursuant to the Bidding Procedures, by at least $100,000,
and shall remain subject to all of the Bidding Procedures; and (vi) no competing
offer to purchase the Assets shall be eligible for consideration by the
Bankruptcy Court unless such offer is presented in writing to OCA only at the
time and place designated in the Interim Order at least one (1) Business Day
prior to the scheduled hearing date with respect to the Section 363/365 Order.

"Bill of Sale" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

"Break-Up Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4.

"Business Day" means a day of the year other than a Saturday, Sunday or any
other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York, New York are
authorized or required by law to close.

"Buyer Documents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

"Buyer Material Adverse Effect" means any event, change, occurrence, effect,
fact or circumstance which has or would have a material adverse effect on the
ability of OCA to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby.

"Canadian Apple" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.

"Canadian Sellers" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement.

"Cash Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

                                       32

<PAGE>   36

"Chapter 11 Case" shall have the meaning set forth in the first recital to this
Agreement.

"Claimant" means all creditors, claimants and interest holders having claims
against or interests in Apple.

"Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

"Code" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13.

"Complete or Partial Withdrawal" means a complete withdrawal or a partial
withdrawal as such terms are respectfully defined in Sections 4203, 4204, and
4205 of ERISA.

"Computer Software" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(h).

"Confidentiality Agreement" means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated
as of February 4, 1998, between Apple and OCA.

"Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(f).

"Cure Costs" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

"Documents and Software" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(h).

"EEOC" means the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

"Employee Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(a).

"Encumbrances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"ERISA" Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

"Examination Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Excluded Assets" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

"Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

"Expense Reimbursement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4.

"Final" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(k).

"Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(b).

"FTC" means the United States Federal Trade Commission.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United
States consistently applied.

"Holdback Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

"HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended.

"Insurance Proceeds" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(j).

"Intellectual Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(i).

                                       33

<PAGE>   37

"Interim Order" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b)(i).

"Inventory" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(g).

"IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service. "knowledge" means, with
respect to an individual, such individual is actually aware of the particular
fact, matter, circumstance or other item, and, with respect to any other Person
(other than an individual), any individual who is serving, or who has at any
time served, as a director, officer, partner, executor or trustee of such Person
(or in any similar capacity) has, or at any time had, "knowledge" of such fact,
matter, circumstance or other item. "Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.8.

"Leases" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(e).

"Letzer Agreement" means that certain Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1999,
among Apple and Gerald M. Letzer, D.D.S., M.D.S., Bernard S. Kahan, D.D.S., and
Apple Orthodontix of Metro Detroit, PLLC (the "PLLC"), regarding transfer of
certain ownership interests in the PLLC. "Liabilities Schedule" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Licenses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d).

"Material Adverse Effect" means any event, change, occurrence, effect, fact or
circumstance which has or would have a material adverse effect on (i) the
ability of any of the Sellers to perform their obligations under this Agreement
or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the Assets; (iii)
the Acquired Business; or (iv) the Assumed Liabilities.

"Motions" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).

"Multi-Employer Plan" means any multi-employer plan within the meaning of
Section 3137 of ERISA.

"Multiple Employer Plan" means any multiple employer plan within the meaning of
Section 413(c) of the Code.

"Net Receivables" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Net Receivables Benchmark Amount" means an amount agreed upon in writing by OCA
and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 2.7.

"Net Receivables Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Non-Competition Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

"Objection Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"OCA" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"Office Lease Cure Costs" means all payments necessary to cure (pursuant to
Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code) defaults existing as of the Closing under
any of the Leases of office space or other real property that are included in
the Assets as of the Closing, following the adjustments described in Section
2.7(a), and that are assumed by and assigned to OCA.

"Office Lease Cure Costs Benchmark Amount" means an amount agreed upon in
writing by OCA and the Sellers pursuant to Section 2.7(a), subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 2.7. "ordinary course of business" means, with respect to
any particular Person: (a) an action is consistent with the past practices of
such Person and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day
operations of such Person; (b) such action is not required to be authorized by
the board of directors of such Person (or by any Person or group of Persons
exercising similar authority) and is not required to be specifically authorized
by the parent company (if any) of such

                                       34

<PAGE>   38

Person; and (c) such action is similar in nature and magnitude to actions
customarily taken, without any authorization by the board of directors (or by
any Person or group of Persons exercising similar authority), in the ordinary
course of the normal day-to-day operations of other Persons that are in the same
line of business as such Person. "Permitted Acquisition" means an acquisition or
purchase pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition Proposal. "Permitted Acquisition
Proposal" means:

               (a) with respect to a Service Agreement Party prior to execution
          by such Service Agreement Party of an amendment to such Service
          Agreement Party's respective Service Agreement in accordance with
          Sections 6.3 and 7.7 and of a Release in accordance with Section 7.6,
          (i) any proposal or offer to any of the Sellers from such Service
          Agreement Party or from any or all of the orthodontists who are
          employed by or independent contractors with such Service Agreement
          Party or a professional entity thereof and who practice orthodontics
          in the orthodontic practice ("Orthodontic Practice") which is the
          subject of such Service Agreement Party's Service Agreement, or (ii)
          any proposal or offer to any or all of such Service Agreement Party
          and orthodontists from any of the Sellers; relating in each case to
          the acquisition or purchase directly, or (if any Canadian Seller other
          than Canadian Apple is currently a party to such Service Agreement)
          indirectly through purchase of all of the outstanding shares of
          capital stock of such Canadian Seller, in a single transaction or a
          series of related transactions, of the Assets exclusively related to
          such Orthodontic Practice; and

               (b) with respect to a Service Agreement Party after such Service
          Agreement Party has indicated to OCA and/or Apple in writing (a
          "Rejection Notice"), each of which shall immediately give a copy of
          such Rejection Notice to the other upon such party's receipt thereof,
          that such Service Agreement Party does not desire or intend to, or
          refuses to, execute a Release in accordance with Section 7.6 and an
          amendment to such Service Agreement Party's Service Agreement in
          accordance with Sections 6.3 and 7.7 or otherwise participate in the
          transactions contemplated by this Agreement (provided, however, that a
          Service Agreement Party's response to a letter from Apple to such
          party describing this transaction and certain alternatives (which
          letter was dated and/or sent February 21, February 22 or March 21,
          2000), and/or such Service Agreement Party's failure to respond to or
          indicate such party's agreement to the matters set forth in such
          letter, shall not, and shall not be deemed to, constitute a Rejection
          Notice for purposes of this definition), any proposal or offer from or
          to any Person, including any of the Sellers, relating to acquisition
          or purchase directly, or (if any Canadian Seller other than Canadian
          Apple is currently a party to such Service Agreement Party's Service
          Agreement) indirectly through purchase of all of the outstanding
          shares of capital stock of such Canadian Seller, in a single
          transaction or a series of related transactions, of the Assets
          exclusively related to the Orthodontic Practice which is the subject
          of such Service Agreement Party's Service Agreement;

               (c) provided, however, that a "Permitted Acquisition Proposal"
          shall not apply to or include the direct or indirect purchase or
          acquisition of Assets which are not exclusively related to the
          Orthodontic Practice which is the subject of such Service Agreement
          Party's Service Agreement.

"Permitted Encumbrances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

"Person(s)" means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization,
governmental or regulatory body or other entity.

"Personal Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

"Post-Closing Adjustments Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(b).

"Prepaid Expenses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(k).

"Prohibited Transactions" means any prohibited transaction within the meaning of
Section 406 or 407 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

"Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

                                       35

<PAGE>   39

"Qualified Plan" means a plan that is qualified within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the Code.

"Qualified Third Party" means a Person which is not an Affiliate of Apple,
Canadian Sellers or their subsidiaries, and which a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors of Apple determines in their good faith reasonable
judgment to be financially capable of consummating the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement on substantially identical terms as those set forth herein,
including the payment of immediately available funds in the amount of the Cash
Payment plus $850,000.

"Receivables" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).

"Release" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.

"SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Sellers" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

"Seller Examination Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

"Seller Documents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

"Service Agreements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

"Service Agreement Party" means an orthodontist and/or professional entity that
is a party to a Service Agreement.

"Settlement Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

"Standard Termination" means any standard termination as described in Section
4041(b) of ERISA.

"Superior Proposal" shall mean a bona fide proposal made by a Qualified Third
Party to acquire all of the capital stock of Apple or all of the Assets: (i) on
terms which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Apple
determines in their good faith reasonable judgment to be more favorable to Apple
and its stockholders than the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) for which
such Qualified Third Party Bidder then has adequate financing available; and
(iii) which is not subject to any financing or due diligence condition.

"Taxes" means all taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other
governmental charges including, without limitation, all Federal, state, local,
foreign and other income, franchise, profits, capital gains, capital stock,
transfer, sales, use, occupation, property, excise, severance, windfall profits,
stamp, license, payroll, withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges,
duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever
(whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the
filing of a Tax Return), all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions
to tax, penalties and interest and shall include any liability for such amounts
as a result either of being a member of a combined, consolidated, unitary or
affiliated group or of a contractual obligation to indemnify any person or other
entity.

"Tax Returns" means any return, report, rendition or other document or
information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with the
Taxes.

"Transfer Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.10.

"Wood Agreement" means that certain Stock Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 15,
1998, between Apple and H. Bradley Wood, D.D.S., regarding the pledge and
transfer of certain capital stock.

                        [SIGNATURE PAGE IS THE NEXT PAGE]

                                       36

<PAGE>   40

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be duly executed by an authorized officer thereof as of the day and year first
above written.

                                "OCA"

                                ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

                                By: /s/ Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr.
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer and President
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                "APPLE"

                                APPLE ORTHODONTIX, INC.

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                "CANADIAN SELLERS"

                                APPLE ORTHODONTIX OF CANADA, INC.

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                VICTORIA ORTHODONTIC MANAGEMENT, LTD.

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                       37

<PAGE>   41

                                489147 ONTARIO LIMITED

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                RUTH MANAGEMENT, INC.

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                265084 B.C. LTD.

                                By: /s/ A. Stone Douglass
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: A. Stone Douglass
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                       38

<PAGE>   42

     Solely for purposes of its agreements and covenants set forth in Sections
5.3(a) and 8.4, and to consent to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
and the transactions contemplated herein, including the purchase and sale of the
Assets for the Purchase Price, as adjusted herein, the Bidding Procedures, the
non-solicitation provisions of Section 5.3(a) and the Expense Reimbursement and
Break-Up Fee, each of the Banks has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by
an authorized officer thereof as of the day and year first above written.

                                       CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

                                       By: /s/ Bruce A. Shilcutt
                                           -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Bruce A. Shilcutt
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              --------------------------------

                                       PARIBAS

                                       By: /s/  Amy Kirschner
                                           -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Amy Kirschner
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                              --------------------------------

                                       39

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