SELECTION PROCESS
“If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?”
This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and of course physical results.
The nomination pool of dentists consists of all dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peer’s work when evaluating the other nominees.
Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given a careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received, status in various dental academies (Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, etc.) can play a factor in our decision.
Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists.
Of course there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in Louisiana. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate, and useful list of dentists available anywhere.
This list is excerpted from the 2019 topDentists™ list, a database, which includes listings for more than 190 dentists and specialists in the New Orleans area. The Louisiana list is based on thousands of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com or visit usatopdentists.com.
Endodontics
Covington
Allen N. Sawyer
Sawyer Endodontics
216 West 21st Avenue
985-327-7354
Kenner
David J. Toca
2301 Williams Boulevard, Suite B
504-466-3353
Mandeville
Rodney J. Isolani
Isolani Endodontics
102 Fontainbleau Drive, Suite E-2
985-893-0715
Charles O. Roy
Northshore Endodontics
1510 West Causeway Approach, Suite C
985-674-0060
Metairie
Dominick J. Alongi
Northlake Endodontics & Microsurgery
3621 Ridgelake Drive, Suite 301
504-832-2433
Bryan P. Bohning
Bohning Endodontics
4051 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 312
504-888-4034
Garrett B. Morris
Endodontic Specialists
4520 Clearview Parkway
504-885-0177
Lauren S. Vedros
Northlake Endodontics & Microsurgery
3621 Ridgelake Drive, Suite 301
504-832-2433
New Orleans
George H. Arch, Jr.
Uptown Endodontics and Implantology
2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 701
504-895-1100
Lisa P. Germain
Uptown Endodontics and Implantology
2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 701
504-895-1100
Slidell
Scott E. Bonson
Endodontic Associates
190 Cross Gates Boulevard
985-649-4881
Arthur W. Dickerson II
Endodontic Associates
190 Cross Gates Boulevard
985-649-4881
J. Jared Harmon
Lakeshore Endodontics
102 Village Street, Suite B
985-643-4600
My Toughest Case
Removing the Fear
Dr. Aymee Costales-Spindler
In the 1960s, when Aymee Spindler (neé Costales) arrived in the United States as a young immigrant from Havana, Cuba, she developed a keen interest in the biological sciences – particularly health and healing sciences. Perhaps it ran in the family. “My grandmother had wanted to be a dentist and used to always tell me how she wished she could have been one,” she recalled. “Dentistry seemed to be the best choice given my aptitudes and likes.”
Once she entered dental school at LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans, she became fond of periodontics — the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in dental implants. Upon completion of her degree, she became New Orleans’ first female periodontist.
“As a periodontist, I treat diseases and defects involving the periodontium – the soft and hard tissues around the teeth,” she said. “This is accomplished via surgical as well as non-surgical procedures.”
Spindler noted that the biggest challenges in her work generally involve patients who have waited a long time to seek professional help and now have a severe condition.
“Most of the time, these are people who are ‘afraid of the dentist,’” she said. “They usually have had a traumatic experience involving dental treatment. As their doctor, not only do I have to figure out how to improve their periodontal problem but I also have to find out what their fear is about and how to best alleviate it.”
She takes an integrative approach to this type of problem – possessing an awareness of the body as a whole in how to best treat each individual person.
“Sometimes, simply having a discussion about their fears and what they would want me to do differently to make their treatment acceptable is all it takes,” she said.
Other times, in severe cases, she resorts to prescribing anti-anxiety medication for the treatment day or even IV sedation. “Sometimes we have to opt for alternative, less fear-provoking treatment options,” she said.
“Too often, we try to fit patients into categories and push for a certain treatment option that is currently accepted to be the best for their particular problem. Each person is different and I have to find the best way to help, given their current overall physical and emotional state.” This, she added, is a “wisdom that has come to me with time.” – Sarah Ravits
Periodontal Health Specialists
2540 Severn Ave #402, Metairie, 504-887-8205, periohealthspecialists.com
Bachelor of Science from LSU Shreveport, 1978
DDS from LSU School of Dentistry, New Orleans, 1982
Certificate in Periodontics from LSU School of Dentistry, New Orleans, 1985
General Dentistry
Belle Chasse
Stuart J. Guey, Jr.
8951 Highway 23
504-394-6200
Charles A. Haydel
8635 Highway 23
504-394-7456
Covington
Mary A. Beilman
426 South Tyler Street
985-893-5138
Joel E. Burvant
Burvant Family Dentistry
601 West 18th Avenue
985-892-2403
Shannon O. Doyle
More Smiles Dental Spa
7007 Highway 190
985-809-7645
Kathleen G. Engel
522 East Rutland Street
985-893-2270
James A. Moreau, Jr.
More Smiles Dental Spa
7007 Highway 190 East Service Road
985-809-7645
R. Glen Spell
Family Dental Center
79132 Highway 40
985-893-3900
Gretna
Kenneth E. Alfortish
517 Whitney Avenue, Suite A
504-368-2792
Brian D. Connell
Connell Family Dentistry
137 Bellemeade Boulevard
504-273-4077
Damon J. DiMarco
DiMarco Dental
309 Gretna Boulevard
504-366-5611
Michael Tufton
Tufton Family Dentistry
654 Terry Parkway
504-362-5270
Peter M. Tufton
Tufton Family Dentistry
654 Terry Parkway
504-362-5270
Hammond
Eugene R. Graff, Jr.
Louisiana Dental Center
800 C M Fagan Drive, Suite A
985-345-5888
Sue C. LeBlanc
Hammond Family Dentistry
1007 West Thomas Street, Suite E
985-345-8602
Jill Truxillo
Beautiful Smiles
20204 United States Highway 190 East
985-662-5550
Harahan
Dennis L. Henry
6367 Jefferson Highway
504-737-5294
Harvey
Barton C. Barré
Barré Dental Care
2645 Manhattan Boulevard, Suite D-5
504-367-0355
Frederick H. Gruezke
1705 Lapalco Boulevard, Suite 2
504-361-3697
Wendy M. Maes
New Orleans Dental Center
1901 Manhattan Blvd., Suite F-201
504-313-1305
Jefferson
Charles M. Jouandot
Jefferson Dental Care
3809 Jefferson Highway
504-833-2211
Kenner
Jacob C. McInnis
Exceptional Dental
1305 West Esplanade Avenue
504-469-6333
James D. Roethele
Roethele Dental Esthetics
283 West Esplanade Avenue
504-461-0500
Larry A. Wise
909 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 101
504-464-0202
Madisonville
Charles B. Foy, Jr.
400 Pine Street
P.O. Box 10
985-845-8042
Melissa H. Pellegrini
Miles of Smiles
198 Highway 21
985-845-2992
Mandeville
Jason Alvarez
Beau Sourire Family Dentistry
2881 Highway 190 Street, Suite D-4
985-626-8980
beausourirefamilydentistry.com
Martha A. Carr
280 Dalwill Drive
985-727-0047
Glen J. Corcoran
3701 Highway 59, Suite E
985-871-9733
Gabriel F. Daroca III
2140 9th Street
985-624-8268
Daniela Eversgerd
Allure Dental
1901 Highway 190, Suite 14
985-951-2220
Joseph F. Fitzpatrick
812 Park Avenue
985-626-9791
Cherie P. LeSaicherre
3601 Highway 190, Suite A
985-674-0303
Toby B. Moffatt
1510 West Causeway Approach, Suite A
985-727-4848
Louis Passauer, Jr.
231 Saint Ann Drive, Suite 1
985-727-0024
Dennis R. Preau
2140 9th Street
985-624-8268
Marrero
Darrell P. Bourg, Jr.
Exceptional Dental
2521 Ames Boulevard, Suite C
504-900-1195
Maria R. Burmaster
Barataria Dental
2272 Barataria Boulevard
504-341-3120
Metairie
Debra C. Arnold
2732 Athania Parkway
504-837-4992
Bridget A. Brahney
Bridget Brahney Family Dentistry
3508 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
504-888-6860
Joseph M. Campo
4141 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 205
504-888-1617
George P. Cerniglia
3320 Hessmer Avenue
504-454-5880
Hunter L. Charvet, Sr.
Charvet Dental Center
2300 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
504-208-4751
Myrna L. Collado-Torres
3330 Kingman Street, Suite 6
504-888-2092
Joseph J. Collura, Jr.
3223 8th Street, Suite 202
504-455-7717
George T. Comeaux, Jr.
2620 Metairie Road
504-834-2180
Stan P. Cowley III
Cowley Dental Care
3237 Metairie Road
504-831-4895
Stan P. Cowley, Jr.
Cowley Dental Care
3237 Metairie Road
504-831-4895
Duane P. Delaune
Delaune Dental
3801 North Causeway Boulevard, Suite 305
504-885-8869
Tre J. DeFelice
1900 N. Causeway Blvd.
504-833-4300
Shelly Ereth-Barone
GNO Dental Care
110 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 105-A
504-832-1164
Terry F. Fugetta
4508 Clearview Parkway, Suite 1-A
504-454-7008
Michael W. Gallagher
Gallagher Family Dentistry
4440 Chastant Street, Suite A
504-887-0181
Nicole H. Hunn
3108 West Esplanade Avenue
504-838-8118
gregstrain.com
Eva L. Jessup
Clearview Dental Care
2221 Clearview Parkway, Suite 202
504-455-1667
Wynn Kapit
3024 Kingman Street
504-455-2984
Nanette LoCoco
4325 Loveland Street, Suite B
504-335-2992
Thomas F. McCoy III
4432 Conlin Street, Suite B
504-889-1209
Kirk E. Melton
4224 Houma Boulevard, Suite 320
504-456-5103
James Nelson
Nelson Dental Care
3939 Houma Boulevard, Suite 11
504-226-6478
Troy L. Patterson
Oak Family Dental
1001 North Causeway Boulevard
504-834-6410
Stephanie A. Picou
Picou Family Dentistry
3414 Hessmer Avenue, Suite 201
504-454-0067
Jene’ C. Ponder
2620 Metairie Road
504-834-2180
Greer C. Reisig
Schwartz Dental Group
337 Metairie Road, Suite 302
504-832-2043
Garry S. Salvaggio
Salvaggio Dental Care
3223 8th Street, Suite 202
504-455-7717
Kevin J. Schellhaas
4741 Trenton Street
504-887-1272
John C. Schwartz
Schwartz Dental Group
337 Metairie Road, Suite 302
504-832-2043
Roger W. Sherwood
Sherwood Dentistry
2316 Metairie Road
504-833-9552
Joseph P. Simone II
4420 Conlin Street, Suite 204
504-456-0964
Ryan M. Thibodaux
Storyville Dentistry
815 North Causeway Boulevard
504-831-4009
Gerard R. Tully, Jr.
701 Metairie Road, Suite 2A-212
504-831-4837
Corky Willhite
The Smile Design Center
111 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 777
504-831-1131
Lisa Wyatt
Metairie Village Dentistry
701 Metairie Road, Suite 2A-110
504-613-5499
Donald D. Yuratich
2708 David Drive
504-888-8110
New Orleans
Mark D. Anderson
Mid-City Smiles Family Dentistry
3625 Canal Street
504-485-6575
Donald P. Bennett
1010 Common Street, Suite 810
504-523-4882
Stephen C. Brisco, Sr.
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue, Suite 127
504-619-8721
Robert A. Camenzuli
Camenzuli Dental Excellence
1319 Amelia Street
504-895-3400
James A. Campo
Campo Dentistry
2215 South Carrollton Avenue
504-866-0681
Mark S. Chaney
1407 South Carrollton Avenue
504-861-2523
Tracy M. Crear
Smiling Faces Family Dentistry
4747 Earhart Boulevard, Suite C
504-392-9874
Roy J. Delatte, Jr.
8384 Jefferson Highway, Suite 3
504-738-7056
Timothy J. Delcambre
3426 Coliseum Street
504-895-6657
Denice L. Derbes
6251 General Diaz Street
504-486-2876
Jay C. Dumas
Dumas Family Dentistry
3004 Gentilly Boulevard
504-435-1800
Dov Glazer
3525 Prytania Street, Suite 312
504-895-1137
Shira Glazer
3525 Prytania Street, Suite 312
504-895-1137
Leslie P. Gottsegen
2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 610
504-891-5000
Henry A. Gremillion
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-619-8500
Van T. Himel
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-941-8395
Erin L. Katz
2801 Napoleon Avenue
504-891-2826
William E. Kramer III
2801 Napoleon Avenue, Suite A
504-891-2826
Susan S. Lebon
2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 605
504-899-5400
Deborah E. Lesem
100 Robert E. Lee Boulevard
504-608-0594
Edward E. Levy III
7037 Canal Boulevard, Suite 206
504-283-5549
Frank G. Martello
1502 Amelia Street
504-891-9119
John H. Moffatt, Jr.
Moffatt & Walsh
5809 Citrus Boulevard, Suite 100
504-733-8551
Jonah R. Moore
1534 Aline Street
504-899-2333
Kendall P. Parker
Parker Dental Center
5121 North Claiborne Avenue
504-949-4547
Paul C. Perez
Avenue Family Dentistry
3600 Saint Charles Avenue, Suite 202
504-304-4761
Kristopher P. Rappold
Audubon Dental Group
6120 Magazine Street
504-891-7471
Gizelle P. Richard
4460 General DeGaulle Drive
504-394-5330
Elizabeth E. Riggs
Elizabeth Riggs Dentistry
3442 Magazine Street
504-891-1115
J. Kent Roby
2633 Napoleon Avenue, Suite 700
504-899-3497
Wallace G. Serpas III
CBD Dental Care
316 Baronne Street
504-525-9990
Jessica Tingstrom
Mid-City Smiles Family Dentistry
3625 Canal Street
504-485-6575
Kim M. Tolar
Tolar Family Dentistry
2502 Napoleon Avenue
504-891-1880
Sammy Tom
Uptown Dental
8131 Saint Charles Avenue
504-304-6800
William R. Yeadon
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-619-8721
River Ridge
W. Keith DeJong
De Jong-Plaisance Family Dentistry
10154 Jefferson Highway
504-264-6566
Warren J. Palmisano III
2020 Dickory Avenue, Suite 104
504-733-0871
Kerry T. Plaisance, Jr.
De Jong-Plaisance Family Dentistry
10154 Jefferson Highway
504-264-6566
Slidell
Michael J. Appleton
Oak Harbor Family Dentistry
480 Oak Harbor Boulevard
985-649-9455
J. Kevin Curley
2800 Gause Boulevard East, Suite D
985-649-7510
John J. Killeen, Jr.
Slidell Smiles
110 Village Square
985-643-7516
Kristie L. Reine
Lakeshore Family Dentistry
435 Robert Boulevard
985-643-1852
Edmund M. Ring
Lakeshore Family Dentistry
435 Robert Boulevard
985-643-1852
Stephen J. Tomaszewski
Camellia City Family Dentistry
1275 7th Street
985-641-4444
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Covington
Ben A. Almerico
Almerico Oral & Maxillofacial
195 Greenbriar Boulevard, Suite 100
985-892-9993
Marrero
Anthony A. Indovina
5132 Lapalco Boulevard
504-340-2401
Metairie
Michael S. Block
The Center for Dental Reconstruction
110 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Suite 112
504-833-3368
centerfordentalreconstruction.com
Edward J. Boos
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Associates
3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 202
504-456-5033
Michael G. Ferguson
Oral Surgery Services
4420 Conlin Street, Suite 203
504-455-9960
Daniel B Harris
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Associates
3100 Galleria Drive, Suite 202
504-456-5033
Walter C. Jackson
Jackson Oral Surgery
4051 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 200
504-455-7161
Robert E. Lane
Southern Oral Surgery
4224 Houma Boulevard, Suite 230
504-454-4515
Demarcus D. Smith IV
Oral Surgery Services
4420 Conlin Street, Suite 203
504-455-9960
New Orleans
Kimberly A. Meng
608 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-525-2454
Hugo Saint Hilaire
New Orleans Craniofacial
3700 Street Charles Avenue
504-444-1551
Charles P. Silvia, Jr.
Southern Oral Surgery
3525 Prytania Street, Suite 216
504-899-8173
Slidell
Nathan R. Brown
Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery
1271 7th Street
985-643-1010
C. Bradley Dickerson
Pontchartrain Oral Surgery
2334 Gause Boulevard East
985-641-2030
Oral Pathology
New Orleans
Kitrina G. Cordell
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
P.O. Box 137
504-941-8449
Molly S. Rosebush
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-941-8333
My Toughest Case
Discovering an Undetectible Cause
Dominick J. Alongi, D.D.S., M.S
A native of Chalmette who has seen the world, Dominick J. Alongi of Northlake Endodontics always wanted to help people in vulnerable situations. As an endodontist, he treats diseases and injuries of the soft tissues inside a tooth; his specialty is in performing root canals — “one of the most feared procedures that exists,” he noted.
His military background in the late ‘80s and ‘90s helped him grow as an individual, he said. It also helped him experience different parts of the country and overseas. His training as a combat medic helped him prepare to treat some truly painful cases and gave him an extra dose of empathy and diagnostic experience; he also worked in the CAT scan department as well as participated as the lead investigator in stem cell research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, which has paved the way for current research projects.
According to Alongi, the toughest case in his career is when he dealt with a young woman who had been experiencing ear and neck discomfort. For months she visited different doctors, but none were able to give her a definitive diagnosis.
One day, she woke up with a swelling in her neck near her wind pipe.
She suddenly arrived at his office, he performed a quick assessment and determined that she had an infection in the lower jaw region that hadn’t shown up on the X-ray.
“It was at this time she was immediately sent to the hospital for emergency surgery,” he said. “She had no idea that her condition was dire and life-threatening.” Over the next few days, fortunately, she recovered, and has “been OK ever since.”
What made this case challenging is that “Often, the source of the problem can be undetected and many times overlooked,” he said.
As the father of a son with autism, Alongi brings an extra sense of understanding to his practice. Meeting individuals with special needs, along with their families, has taught him how difficult their lives could be. “These families are some of the most caring people in society, and usually do not receive appropriate assistance to ensure a secure future for their loved one.” Alongi keeps this in mind and has decided to set up his practice so that he has the ability to serve these individuals.
Overall, as an endodontist, he said his favorite aspect of the job is to provide patients with a pleasant experience. That is “What I look forward to every working day.” – Sarah Ravits
Northlake Endodontics
3621 Ridgelake Dr. #301, Metairie, 504-832-2433, northlakeendo.com
LSU School of Dentistry, New Orleans, 2006
Orthodontics
Covington
Laurie L. Fricke
2301 North Highway 190, Suite 7
P.O. Box 1827
985-892-2081
Amy S. Sawyer
Sawyer Orthodontics
216 West 21st Avenue
985-327-7181
Gretna
Joshua J. Jones
Jones Orthodontics
305 Gretna Boulevard, Suite A
504-368-8152
Philip J. Puneky
Puneky Orthodontics
250 Meadowcrest Street, Suite 202
504-392-8484
Harvey
Julia P. Trieu
Trieu Smiles
3708 4th Street, Suite 103
504-309-7830
Kenner
David V. Scaffidi
Scaffidi Orthodontics
527 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 101
504-468-6200
Mandeville
William R. Ledoux
260 Dalwill Drive
985-674-1500
Darren Miller
Miller Orthodontics
1566 Highway 59
985-626-0991
Metairie
John O. Clotworthy
Clotworthy Orthodontics
1014 Veterans Memorial Boulevard
504-833-4361
Russell J. Cresson
3333 Kingman Street, Suite 200
504-885-8863
Hector R. Maldonado
4432 Conlin Street, Suite 2-B
504-455-5581
Brian J. Olivier
Olivier Orthodontics
4408 Trenton Street, Suite C
504-218-7300
Shannon K. Simons
3020 Kingman Street, Suite A
504-887-8480
New Orleans
Paul C. Armbruster
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue, Suite 230
504-619-8721
Leeann S. Evans
Evans Orthodontics
5700 Citrus Boulevard, Suite C
504-301-3413
G. Bradley Gottsegen
Gottsegen Orthodontics
3424 Coliseum Street
504-895-4841
Sarita N. Hithe
Hithe Orthodontics
3322 Canal Street
504-309-1401
Jamie L. Toso-Miner
Toso Orthodontics
1502 Calhoun Street
504-899-8383
River Ridge
Daniel P. Bordes
9537 Jefferson Highway
504-737-7324
Slidell
Kay D. Daniel
Explore Orthodontics
2960 East Gause Boulevard
985-641-2472
Michael J. Guevara
Guevara Orthodontics
1251 7th Street
985-641-3587
Pediatric Dentistry
Covington
Todd S. Brasuell
189 Greenbriar Boulevard, Suite A
985-892-5942
Destrehan
Elizabeth A. Thorson
Thorson Dentistry for Kids
159 Longview Drive, Suite A
985-307-0072
Hammond
Thomas H. Wingo, Jr.
Hammond Pediatric Dentistry
1008 West Thomas Street
985-542-6855
Madisonville
Katherine E. Vo
The Children’s Dental Cottage
704 Main Street
985-845-3211
Mandeville
Jill M. Donaldson
Bippo’s Place for Smiles
2935 Highway 190
985-231-2977
Michael J. Von Gruben
Pediatric Dentistry
1305 West Causeway Approach
985-778-2272
pediatricdentistmandeville.com
Metairie
Pamela R. Shaw
Dentisitry for Children
701 Metairie Road
504-838-8200
New Orleans
Kellie S. Axelrad
New Orleans Childrens Dental Center
6264 Canal Boulevard, Suite 1
504-833-5528
Nicole R. Boxberger
Bippo’s Place for Smiles
4061 Behrman Highway
504-368-1990
Claudia A. Cavallino
New Orleans Childrens Dental Center
6264 Canal Boulevard, Suite 1
504-833-5528
Suzanne E. Fournier
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-941-8199
lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/FDP/our-dentists/default.htm
Slidell
Tessa M. Smith
Bippo’s Place for Smiles
1128 Old Spanish Trail
985-646-2146
Periodontics
Covington
Caesar Sweidan
Saint Tammany Periodontics & Implants
5024 Keystone Boulevard, Suite A
985-778-0241
Gretna
Charles T. McCabe
250 Ochsner Boulevard, Suite 204
504-392-4734
Metairie
Aymee Costales-Spindler
Periodontal Health Specialists
2540 Severn Avenue, Suite 402
504-887-8205
Eric Hebert
Dental Implants and Periodontics of Louisiana
3521 North Arnoult Road, Suite A
504-885-2611
Hisham F. Nasr
The Perio Clinic
337 Metairie Road, Suite 301
504-831-0800
A. Margarita Sáenz
The Perio Clinic
337 Metairie Road, Suite 301
504-831-0800
David Wilson
Periodontal Health Specialists
2540 Severn Avenue, Suite 402
504-887-8205
New Orleans
Gerald H. Evans
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
Box 138
504-941-8277
lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/FDP/our-dentists/default.htm
Kristi M. Soileau
3634 Coliseum Street
504-899-2255
neworleansperiodontalspecialist.com
Slidell
Thomas W. Mabry
1241 7th Street, Suite A
985-646-1421
Prosthodontics
Covington
Israel M. Finger
More Smiles Dental Spa
7007 Highway 190
985-888-0668
Gretna
Michael B. Smith
250 Meadowcrest Street, Suite 100
504-392-6057
Metairie
Roger A. Vitter
4228 Houma Boulevard, Suite 210
504-883-3737
New Orleans
Jonathan X. Esquivel
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue, Box 222
504-941-8283
Luis E. Infante
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-941-8287
Laurie F. Moeller
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-941-8289
Alika K. F. Yu
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry
1100 Florida Avenue
504-619-8721
lsusd.lsuhsc.edu/FDP/our-dentists
Slidell
Robert J. Rooney II
Slidell Dental Implants
100 Smart Place
985-641-6607
This list is excerpted from the 2019 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for more than 190 dentists and specialists in the New Orleans area. For more information call 706-364-0853; or write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; by email (info@usatopdentists.com) or at www.usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2010-2019 by Top Dentists, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.
My Toughest Case
Learning to Communicate Beyond Words
G. Bradley Gottsegen, DDS
Inspired by his orthodontist father, the dental field was always a big part of G. Bradley Gottsegen’s life. Now he practices in the very same office his father, who retired post-Katrina, built in 1970. The father-and-son team worked together for the first eight years of Gottsegen’s career.
“He was not only my partner – he was my teacher,” he said. “I’ve learned everything I know about how to run a practice, how to manage patients, and how to treat people with honesty, dignity and respect from him.” His wife, Leslie, is also a dentist. “She’s constantly keeping me up to date on the latest restorative techniques and materials,” he said.
Gottsegen’s practice is generally limited to the specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. He also treats disorders of the jaw joints and is interested in sleep medicine and “improving people’s airways and ability to breathe well.”
His most challenging case over the course of his career was when he treated a young girl on the autistic spectrum who was completely non-verbal and struggled to make eye contact.
“Her orthodontic needs were routine,” he said, but “we had to get to a place where she would actually lie down in the chair and let us work on her.” It took six or seven appointments before he was able to perform treatments on her.
As the child was unable to speak, he had to think of inventive, alternative ways to communicate with her.
“I had to learn how to ‘talk’ with this patient in her way – often using hand signals, body language and other gestures,” he said. Over time, she was able to understand him and developed a level of trust in him.
“It was difficult at first, but it became easier as we got to know each other,” he said. “Overall, it was a fascinating learning experience for me, and, I’m confident, an empowering one for her.” Now, according to Gottsegen, “she’s very proud of her smile.”
The experience taught him that “people need to be treated in a manner that is customized to their individual situation,” he said. “I, along with my staff, have to be adaptable, creative and most importantly, patient. I have a soft spot for people with special needs and do everything I can to give these folks a fun, positive experience on their terms.” – Sarah Ravits
Gottsegen Orthodontics
3424 Coliseum St., New Orleans, 504-895-4841; 4425 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, 504-454-6272, gottsegenorthodontics.com
Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington and Lee University, 1989
DDS from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, 1995
Certificate in Orthodontics from LSU School of Dentistry, New Orleans, 1997
