Hinsdale Orthodontist
Meet Nick Riccio, DMD, PC
I love the combination of artistry, technology, and personal connection that orthodontics entails. I'm so excited to contribute my skills and experience to Hinsdale Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry.
I operate on a patient-first model, which is why I am committed to serving patients and their evolving needs. I use my professional philosophy and my practical knowledge to improve the lives of my patients and create lasting happiness, one remarkable smile at a time.
Background
I grew up in nearby Glen Ellyn, IL, and have always dreamed of raising a family in the Western Suburbs. I am overjoyed to be settling down in Hinsdale with Dr. Blair and our son, Massimo.
After graduating from Glenbard West High School, I chose to attend Haverford College, a small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia. My academic experience at Haverford has served me better as a caregiver than most other coursework I went on to study over more than a decade of higher learning.
For example, we learned the importance of simply listening before offering an opinion or solution, an approach I believe allows me to better address my patients' concerns.
After college, I took part in some groundbreaking genetic research out of the University of Pennsylvania. There, I discovered two crucial things about myself: my commitment to lifelong learning, and my desire to care for people through direct patient care.
Education
Dentistry was the obvious choice for me, as it uniquely blended artistry, science, and person-to-person connection into one lifelong pursuit, while still allowing for a great work/life balance.
I graduated at the top of my class with multiple honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. It was there that I learned the foundations of caring for patients, and cultivated my affinity for orthodontics.
In order to transform myself into a master of that specialty, I chose an intensive three-year hospital residency dedicated to full-time clinical patient care. This allowed me to amass enough experience to become Board Certified, an honor that is bestowed upon less than a third of orthodontists in the country, and signifies the highest commitment to excellence.
Of course, my learning didn't stop there. I am excited for the future of orthodontics, where high-tech digital diagnosis and treatment planning are already allowing for more efficient and comfortable treatment options for patients.
Professional Philosophy
My philosophy as a caregiver is centered around the idea that patients come first, which is why I am committed to serving them and their evolving needs.
For example, I have become an expert in treatment with the sophisticated Damon® brace system and modern Invisalign® clear aligner therapy, as well as, cutting-edge 3D imaging and digital goop-free impressions, all of which make the experience for my patients as comfortable and effortless as possible.
I use these tools and my practical knowledge to improve the lives of my patients and create lasting happiness, one remarkable smile at a time.
Also, I am really an artist at heart, and love to use those more abstract skills by offering procedures like LASER gum sculpting and aesthetic tooth manicuring. These high-tech treatments yield eye-catchingly beautiful results and add value to your smile investment.
In order to protect those smiles, I promote the use of mouth guards. This partially comes from my personal experience with traumatic tooth loss as a child, for which I now have a dental implant - go ahead and try to guess which tooth is the fake one!
Last but not least, as a caregiver, I believe in making the process of orthodontics a fun and memorable experience for my patients. Sometimes that means just making them laugh and feel at home in the office, but always means striving to be one of the best, most carefree parts of their day.
Board-Certified
Dr. Riccio is involved with the following professional organizations:
- American Association of Orthodontics
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics - Board-Certified Orthodontist
- Extensive training and expertise in Invisalign® and state-of-the-art Damon™ braces
Outside the Office
When I'm out of the office, I love to spend quality time with my friends and family, get active, and be outdoors as much as possible.
I have climbed two mountains in my life, am fluent in Spanish, and am a huge movie buff - but it's too hard to pick a favorite! I enjoy running with my dog, Barney, rock climbing with my niece and nephew, playing Frisbee golf with my friends, and cruising around town on my electric skateboard.
However, most nights you can find me relaxing at home with my wife and son, simply watching movies and eating Lou Malnati's pizza in front of the fire, just like I always dreamed of!