Experienced Doctors
With over 150 years of combined experience, our doctors limit their practice to orthodontics and dento facial orthopedics. They have received advanced education and training to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
Before orthodontic treatment begins, your family dentist will make certain that your teeth and gums are healthy. You should also schedule regular cleaning and cavity checkup visits with your general dentist throughout the orthodontic care period. If you do not have a general dentist, please click "Need a Dentist" to find a dentist near you.
Education
- MS and Certificate in Orthodontics – University of Alabama School of Dentistry – Birmingham, AL–2008
- DMD University of Alabama School of Dentistry – Birmingham, AL–2005
- BS in Biology -Valdosta State University – Valdosta, GA
Honors
- Leon H. Schneyer Memorial Award - highest scholastic achievement
- American Association of Orthodontist Award – exceptional interest in oro-facial complex
- Thomas P. Hinman Scholarship at UAB School of Dentistry
- Dean’s List at UAB School of Dentistry
- National Dental Honor Society-Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Professional
- The Hinman Dental Society
- Georgia Association of Orthodontists
- Northern District Dental Society
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Georgia Dental Association
Personal
- Originally from Valdosta, GA
- Wife-Tiffany; daughter-Alden (Jan. 17, 2011)
- Volunteer for annual Angel Tree Foundation and member of the Johns Creek United Methodist Church
- Hobbies – spending time with family and friends, exercising, golf, and gardening
Education
- MS and Certificate in Orthodontics University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry
- (UABSOD)– Birmingham, AL 2009
Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Vanderbilt Orthodontic Center – Nashville, TN – 2006 - DMD University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry - 2005
- BS Birmingham-Southern College – Birmingham, AL - 2001
Honors/Awards
- Dean’s Medal (most coveted award given to a senior)
- National Dental Honor Society - Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- UABSOD Alumni Award for Leadership
- Alabama Dental Association Student Leadership Award
- Academy of Dental Materials Award for Excellence in Research
- UABSOD Award for Excellence in Research
- Dean’s List - UABSOD
Professional
- Adjunct Assistant Professor at the UABSOD Department of Orthodontics
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists Foundation
- American Dental Association
Personal
- The Georgia native currently resides in Newnan
- Wife – Lindsey; daughter - Reagan
- Enjoys spending time with family and friends, fly fishing, reading, playing golf, hunting, exercising and cooking.
Education
- Orthodontics Residency University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - Lincoln, NE - 2007
- MS University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - 2007
- Certificate in Orthodontics University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - 2007
- DDS University of California, Los Angeles College of Dentistry - Los Angeles, CA - 2005
- BA in Medical Biology University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT - 2001
Honors/Awards
- Graduated Cum Laude, UCLA College of Dentistry
- Dean’s Honor list, UCLA College of Dentistry
- Dean’s Honor list, University of Utah and UCLA
- Charley Schultz Resident Scholar, UNMC
Professional
- Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- UNMC College of Dentistry - Staff
- UCLA College of Dentistry - Mentor for foreign dentists
Personal
- Fluent in English and Portuguese (lived in Brazil 1996-1998)
- Hobbies – golf, basketball and spending time with family
Education
- Certificate in Orthodontics and M.S. – Lexington, KY - 2005
- DMD Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry - Augusta, GA - 2004
- Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA - 2000
Honors/Awards
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award
- Dean’s List Medical College of Georgia
- National Collegiate Medical Professions Award
Professional
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Northwest District Dental Association
Personal
- Enjoys traveling, ALTA tennis, & Equestrian Competition
- Married and lives in Atlanta
Education
- MS and Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Florida College of Dentistry - Gainesville FL - 2007
- DMD University of Alabama School of Dentistry - Birmingham, AL – 2004
- BS in Microbiology, University of Georgia - Athens, GA – 2000
- Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School - Lithia Springs, GA - 1996
Awards
- University of Alabama – Graduated 5th in Class
- National Dental Honor Society - Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude – University of Georgia
Professional
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Board of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Certified Invisalign Specialist
- Research - The Correlation of the Initiation of Nickel Sensitivity Due to Trauma During Orthodontic Treatment
Volunteer
- Dental Mission Trip, Honduras – 2003 and 2004
- Dental Screenings - Special Smiles Special Olympics – Auburn, AL – 2001, 2002, and 2003
- Dental Mission Trip - Lima, Peru – 2001 and 2002
- Youth and Children’s Minister - Sung Yahk Presbyterian Church – Canton, GA – 2001-2002
Personal
- Native of Lithia Springs, GA
- Married - Lori; Children - Caleb, Celia and Hannah
- Hobbies - cheering on the Georgia Dawgs “Between the Hedges”; tennis, golf, basketball; favorite activity is hanging out with his family
Dr. Tina Rattan PatelAcworth - Marietta
Education
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Education
- Certificate of Orthodontics, Master of Dental Science – University of Connecticut Health Sciences Center – Farmington, CT
- DMD – Harvard School of Dental Medicine – Boston, MA
- BBA – University of Georgia – Athens, GA
- Graduated from UGA Cum Laude with honors
- Analysis of Microarchitectural Changes in a Mouse Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis model, Archives of Oral Biology, December 2009
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Association of Orthodontics
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- The Georgia native now resides in Atlanta with her husband
- Volunteers for several charitable organizations including Hands of Hope, Hands on Atlanta, and Health Day – Lazarus Ministries
Dr. Robert N. Pickron received his undergraduate education at the University of Florida and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1964. After extensive training in orthodontics and facial growth at the University of Alabama, he received his certificate of orthodontic specialty in 1967.
Dr. Pickron has practiced orthodontics exclusively for 40 years and is CEO of Pickron Orthodontic Care, a practice with 23 offices and 10 associates. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 1975. He is an active member of the Georgia Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Pickron recently lectured at Javeriana University in Bogotá, Colombia on Managing the Orthodontic Practice. He has served as Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, a past member of the board of Big Brothers - Big Sisters of Atlanta and the Gwinnett Council on Child Abuse.
Born in Tampa, Florida in 1941, Dr. Pickron now resides in Duluth. He and his wife, Jade, have three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys traveling, snow boarding, kite surfing, fishing, golf and weight training.
Dr. Ryan RichardDuluth - Lilburn
Education
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Education
- Certificate in Orthodontics and MS in Dentistry – Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- DMD – University of Louisville School of Dentistry – Louisville, KY
- BS in Biology – Furman University – Greenville, SC
- Dean’s Scholar at ULSD
- Evaluation of male and female profile esthetics as a function of anteroposterior lip position.
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Originally from Ocala, FL
- Volunteers with Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Futures program, Dominican Republic Dental Mission Trip, and Habitat for Humanity.
- Interests include – world travel, basketball, tennis, playing guitar, cooking and skiing.
Education
- Marquette University Dental Orthodontics Certificate – Northwestern University – 1981
- Pediatric Dental Residency -
Emory University – 1979 - Marquette University Dental School, DDS – 1975
Professional
- Fellow of The American College of Dentists (FACD)
- Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics
- College of Diplomats of The American Board of Orthodontics
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Reviewer for orthodontic mechanics articles submitted for
publication to The Angle Orthodontist - American Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- President, (g)nathos inc. Orthodontic Continuing Education
Research
- Psychological Aspects of Orthodontic Patient Compliance -
funded by The National Institutes of Health, Division of
Behavioral Medicine DEO 7978
Academic Appointments and Awards
- Adjunct Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Associate Professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Associate Professor at The University of Tennessee, Memphis
- Associate Professor at Case Western University Department of Orthodontics
- Associate Professor at St. Louis University Department of Orthodontics
- Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth Department of Orthodontics
- University of Tennessee Pediatric Dental Association Distinguished Alumnus for the Year, 2002
Invited Papers and Presentations (partial listing)
- Dr. Samson is one of today’s most popular educators and has been the featured speaker for numerous regional, national and international meetings including the American Association of Orthodontists, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Asian Pacific Orthodontic Conference in Beijing, China, The Australian Society of Orthodontists, The Canadian Association of Orthodontists, The Colombian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation (USA), and The Graduate Orthodontic Residency Program (USA).
Education
- Certified Orthodontic Specialty – Emory University School of Dentistry – Atlanta, GA – 1985
- DMD Medical College of Georgia School of Dentisty – Augusta, GA – 1983
Professional
- 25 years experience
- Specializes in early treatment and facial growth
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Georgia Dental Association
- Certified Invisalign Specialist
Personal
- Born in Galion, Ohio
- Married with two children
- Hobbies – golfing, snow boarding, wake-boarding and traveling
- Member of the Snellville United Methodist Church
- Member of Nicaragua Mission Team
Woodstock
Education
- MS in Oral Sciences and Specialist in Orthodontics Certificate - University of Illinois at Chicago
- DDS - State University of New York at Buffalo
- BS in Biology - State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY
Research/Awards
- Received the Tucker and Lasher Scholarships for academic excellence and earned his doctorate of dental surgery with high honors
- Research manuscript - "Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomies and Closing Rotation of the Mandible with Rigid Fixation"
Professional
Professional
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- American Dental Education Association
Personal
- Salvation Army volunteer - World Trade Center Disaster at Ground Zero
- Dental outreach programs for Special Olympics and in Western New York
- Provided dental care to the underserved areas of Ghana, Africa
- The Texas native enjoys being back in the South with the warm weather and southern hospitality
- Hobbies - running, biking, and traveling
Johns Creek - Lawrenceville
Education
- Certificate in Orthodontics Medical College of Georgia - 2006
- DMD Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry - Augusta, GA - 2004
- BS Pacific Lutheran University - Tacoma, WA - 1994
Honors/Awards
- Soccer Scholarship – Pacific Lutheran University
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental Scholar Award – Medical College of Georgia
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon – National Dental Honor Society
Professional
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Certified Invisalign Specialist
Personal
- Originally from Spokane, WA
- Wife – Debi; daughters – Summer, Victoria, and Sarah Grace
- Hobbies – soccer, running, golf, and spending time with family
Education
- Orthodontic Certificate University of Illinois at Chicago-Graduate College – Chicago, IL – 2003
- MS Oral Sciences University of Illinois at Chicago-Graduate College – 2003
- DDS Meharry Medical College-School of Dentistry – Nashville, TN – 2000
- BS Spelman College – Atlanta, GA - 1995
Honors/Awards
- Graduated Cum Laude
- National Dean’s List
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Dental Society
Professional
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- National Dental Association
Personal
- Husband – Robert White, DDS
- Children – Robert, Jordyn, and Jared
- Hobbies – reading, tennis, traveling, and spending time with family and friends
