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ORT I C P RODUCTSONODTHDavid Caggiano, DMD, MSORTHODO N TISTSThe Art ofOrthodonticsDavid Caggiano, DMD, MS, drawsfrom his unique education to create amemorable orthodontic experienceBy LORI SICHTERMANNDavid Caggiano, DMD, MS, followed aunique path to the orthodontic profession.As the son of an engineer, Caggiano excelledat math and science, and eventually enteredengineering school. “I loved engineering,but near the end of my schooling, I reallythought about the quality of life and what Iwanted to do, career-wise,” Caggiano says.“I realized that I wanted to work more withpeople and less with machines.”In addition to his talents as an engineer,Caggiano also had a creative side that couldnot be suppressed. He had spent years studying art, focusing on sketching and charcoaldrawings. Finding a career that satisfiedboth his love of science and his willingnessto be creative was an objective for Caggiano. “For me, dentistry was a good mixtureof engineering and art,” he explains. “And,it satisfied my desire to work with people. Itwas really a no-brainer.”After receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in engineering, a minor in applied mathematics, and a Master’s of Science degree inbiomedical engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Caggiano worked as anengineer for 2 years before enrolling in thedentistry program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).It was there that he received his Doctorateof Medical Dentistry degree in 2001. After7 years’ experience as a general dentist,Caggiano received his specialty certificatein orthodontics, also from UMDNJ.Getting StartedIn 2008, Caggiano began working with acolleague who owned an orthodontic practicein Parsippany, NJ. The practice was a relativelybusy operation, offering treatment for patientsthroughout Northern New Jersey. When Caggiano came on board, he agreed to take overthe business in 1 year upon the retirement ofthe existing orthodontist.4Orthodontic Products Best of 2011At his Parsippany, NJ, practice, Caggiano says, “We build a relationship with each patient so that theyare more like friends by the end of the treatment.”After the agreed-upon year, Caggianobecame owner of the Parsippany practice.He embraced the opportunity to applyhis diverse education and experiencein building a stellar operation. “If theprevious owner were to come heretoday, she would be shocked because it’schanged so much,” he says. “The previousorthodontist applied her efforts in otherareas compared to me. She built a greatpractice and had a great personality, butthe environment was different than how Irun my practice today.”To set the right tone for his business,Caggiano made a couple of quick andeffective changes in the very beginningof his ownership. First, he established afocus on customer service and quality. “Inour area of the country, life is very fastpaced and the stress level is very high,” henotes. “Therefore, we try to build a patientcentered practice. We build a relationshipwith each patient so that they are more likefriends by the end of the treatment.”As Caggiano explains, the focus on customer care starts with his team members.“Every day I get compliments from patientsor their parents about my team,” he says.“The eight team members who work with meare patient-centric. They’re kind, understanding, and helpful with regard to any concernsor questions the patients may have.”For Caggiano, having a talented andfriendly staff is essential for a successfulpractice. “Unfortunately, customer serviceis sometimes taken for granted in the NewYork and New Jersey area,” he says. “Butnot at our practice. We do little things tomake the experience fun and to let our patients know we care.”At Caggiano Orthodontics, letting patients know they are cared about meanscelebrating their achievements. As Caggiano explains, the practice sends greetingcards to patients for special occasions suchas weddings, graduations, or for a new birthin the family. “One of my favorite aspects ofmy job is the ability to build relationships

with patients,” Caggiano says. “I enjoy seeing them on a regular basis and learningabout who they are.”Tech SavvyFrom the beginning, Caggiano wanted topractice orthodontics in his own unique way.“I approach orthodontics with the mind ofan engineer,” he says. “For me, it’s like apuzzle, figuring out how to most efficientlymake the teeth fit together.”Most often, Caggiano solves challengingorthodontic puzzles with the help of moderntechnology. Since taking over the practice in2009, Caggiano has implemented numerous technologies that have advanced thecapabilities of his business.“There are very few patients in my practicewho don’t receive computerized treatment,”Caggiano notes. “We utilize state-of-the-artorthodontic technologies designed to provideamazing aesthetic results.”Patients of Caggiano Orthodontics aretreated with technologies such as OrthoCADiQ, Insignia, Invisalign invisible braces, lingual Incognito braces, Damon System selfligating brackets, ceramic braces, and traditional metal braces for children, teens, andadults. Caggiano says, “I’m also an advocate for the Cadent iOC technology, whichcreates a digital impression. We scan a patient’s mouth digitally for a more accurateimpression of the mouth.” From this digitalscan, the teeth are aligned using softwareto simulate precisely how the teeth will lookwhen treatment is completed. Using the OrthoCAD iQ technology, a computer-guidedlaser places the braces in the precise position on each tooth, which will shorten treatment and provide a more reliable outcome.Like any successful orthodontist, Caggiano has a wide range of expertise whenit comes to treating patients, and using advanced technology makes his areas of expertise even vaster. “We really excel whenit comes to the difficult cases,” Caggianosays. “Much of our success in this aspect isbecause I work with general dentists in thearea to coordinate difficult treatment plansfor patients. I don’t treat every patient in thesame way,” he adds. “With my engineeringbackground, I often work with general dentists to develop unique treatment plans forevery patient.”According to Caggiano, technologiessuch as the types used in his practice havedramatically changed the orthodontic profession. “Patients today have grown up withcomputers, the Internet, iPads, and smartphones. Therefore, when they see modernCaggiano and his team emphasize customer service, and, as a result, he says, “Every day I get compliments from patients or their parents about my team.”technology used in a setting such as orthodontics, they embrace it,” he explains. “Ibelieve that in the next several years, technology is going to advance in ways that willcontinue to revolutionize the profession. It’sgoing to be very exciting.”In order to stay ahead of the technocurve, Caggiano does his best to stay informed about orthodontics with the steadfast approach of a data-hungry engineer. Hedevotes much of his spare time to furtheringhis education through reading as well as attending conferences, continuing educationcourses, and study clubs.Currently, Caggiano is a member of theWestern Essex Dental Association StudyClub, the Grassroots Study Club, and theBear Brook Study Club. He also is an activemember of the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, theMorris County Dental Society, the AmericanAssociation of Orthodontics, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Orthodontics, the NewJersey Association of Orthodontics, and theAcademy of General Dentistry. Additionally,he is an attending orthodontist on the dental staff of Morristown Memorial Hospital toteach orthodontics to the dental residents.Growing StrongIn the 2 years since Caggiano took overas owner of his practice, he has introduced anumber of revolutionary elements that haveclicked with patients. “The best complimentI hear from parents who were here before,during, and after the transition is how modern the practice has become and how thecustomer service has become more accommodating,” he says.Change happened at Caggiano Orthodontics from the inside out, all while the doctorand his staff were conscious of the need tostay focused on the patients. “There’s nevera seamless transition, but we’ve made itas seamless as possible,” he adds. “We’vehad great success so far incorporating allthe computerized technology into the dailyfunctions of the practice.”The care he took to enhance the practicehas paid off. According to Caggiano, the business has grown substantially over the past2 years. As a result, plans are in the worksfor expansion. “We’re growing and we’regrowing fast, which is very fortunate,” Caggiano says. “Our success is directly relatedto our ability to do the right thing. I careabout people. I care about what I do, and Icare that I do the job in the right way. As aresult, we have a successful practice with agreat staff and fantastic patients.”Lori Sichtermann is a contributing writer forOrthodontic Products.Practice ProfileName: Caggiano OrthodonticsLocation: Parsippany, NJSpecialty: OrthodonticsPatients per day: 70–90 Starts per year: 525Years in private practice: 3Days in private practice per week: 4Web site: MorrisCountyBraces.comBest of 2011 Orthodontic Products5

ORT I C P RODUCTSONODTHJeffrey Mastroianni, DMDORTHODO N TISTSA Positive PracticeMastroianni Orthodontics makes apoint of giving back to the communityBy LORI SICHTERMANNFor Jeffrey Mastroianni, DMD, orthodontics is about making apositive impact. He became intrigued by the profession at a youngage, under the influence of his family. “I have three uncles whoare dentists, and I grew up watching them,” Mastroianni recalls. “Ipicked up on the fact that they liked what they did for a living, theyhad a nice lifestyle, and they were happy.”Mastroianni attended dental school at Southern Illinois Universityand finished his orthodontic training at St Louis University in 2000.In 2003, Mastroianni opened his first office in Glen Carbon, Ill, and2 years later he opened his second practice in nearby Swansea, Ill.It has been 10 years since Mastroianni began practicing orthodontics, and for him, every day is a chance to inspire his patients. “Thecoolest part of it for me is taking someone who isn’t proud of his orher smile and completely flipping that person around into someonewho is always smiling,” he explains. When the patient sees the endresult, it’s just an amazing moment. We’ve had patients cry when theysee their teeth or do a cartwheel down the hallway. It’s a very rewarding profession, and I enjoy everything about it.”Spreading the WordJust as Mastroianni was influenced by mentors to consider the joysof the dental profession, he dedicates much of his time to being a rolemodel for the next generation of potential orthodontists. As Mastroianni explains, he and his staff regularly travel

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