In the Office

I have worked in our office since 1984, doing everything from lab work to assisting. I have practiced orthodontics here for the past 12 years and cannot imagine a more fulfilling profession. I like to believe that I make patients more comfortable here than they could be anywhere else, from the way we bond on braces, to the way we tie in wires, to the way we remove braces. Gentle. I also believe there are specific types of treatment that no one does better than us.

We always try to have fun here! You will laugh, whether it’s at me or the jokes. During your first appointment here you will notice a difference in the way we treat you and the way our practice is run. I love getting patients to talk and smile with me. Our team loves when patients open up to us and share their thoughts with us. It's getting to know individuals and seeing them return that's the most fun.

I truly care for my patients and want the best for them. I will always do everything in my power to make your visits comfortable and positive. I will leave you with one bit of orthodontic advice: during treatment, chew sugarless gum whenever you can! It makes the teeth move faster and with less pain. See you in our office soon!

Personal

I’m glad to be practicing orthodontics in my home town and love being a part of this community. I love both dogs and cats and I volunteer with various animal organizations. I have several cats and my fiancee, Katie, has a dog I adore.

I spend a fair amount of my free time running.  I am a member of the New Leaf Ultra Running Club (NLUR) and recently completed the Potawatomi 100 Mile race April 5-7.  Last year I completed the Boston Marathon and the Kettle Moraine 100 kilometer (63 miler).  For my 41st birthday in January 2013, I ran 75 miles on a treadmill over at the RecPlex in Mount Prospect.

My sister and brother have some amazing kids! It's great to see them grow up!

I just got into gardening and I have converted the grounds in front of the office into native, self-sustaining plants.  I am doing it myself and learning as I go.

I still regularly see my friends from St. Viator High School. I am also a Chicago Dental Society branch officer and an active member of the Stanford University Folding@Home Project, which combines computers and fighting disease!

Orthodontics is a profession that mixes art and science like no other, but it is the connections with my patients that make my job truly worthwhile. The one-on-one relationships that I build here make my work that much more fascinating and enjoyable. I always look forward to patients returning after treatment to let me know what they are doing.

Professional

After graduating from Saint Viator High School I attended the University of Notre Dame and received a Bachelors of Science degree. I then pursued a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Northwestern University. My last university was Saint Louis University where I went through a residency in orthodontics and received a Master of Science in Dentistry.

This education has provided with the desire to be a perpetual student! To provide our patients with advanced levels of care requires nothing less! I keep abreast of the latest orthodontic methods and technologies and I routinely help coordinate continuing education courses and seminars for our branch of the Chicago Dental Society.

I always attend more Continuing Education than required to maintain my dental license. The Illinois Society of Orthodontists organizes events for this purpose and I attend courses to remain current with SureSmile's technology. I also sponsor continuing education courses for general dentists. I believe the more doctors that are knowledgable about treatment, the better patients will be guided to comfortable, quality care.

Professional Memberships

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)

On this site, you can learn about orthodontists—specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The correction of tooth and jaw alignment results in a healthy, attractive smile that's good for life.

www.braces.org

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American Dental Association (ADA)

The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement.

www.ada.org