Many of us watched our lives turn upside down when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Dr. Mark DeMaria, the founder and owner of DeMaria Family Orthodontics, was no exception, and he was out of work for weeks after his employer closed.

“I was off for seven weeks with the uncertainty of not knowing when I would be back to work,” DeMaria says. “During this time, a friend of mine saw a listing for a practice for sale in the Western Pennsylvania area.”

When Dr. DeMaria saw the listing, he knew it was finally time for him to start his own orthodontic practice.

“My family is from the area, and it makes me very proud. … This practice was 15 minutes from where I grew up,” he says, “so I decided it was the right choice for me. After a few months of paperwork, lawyers, bankers, … I was able to close on Sept. 28, 2020.”

Since that time, Dr. DeMaria has developed an outstanding team of staff, expanded his services and grown his business to two additional locations.

When the first DeMaria Family Orthodontics office opened, Dr. DeMaria had five staff. Now, between his two offices in Greensburg and his Murrysville location, Dr. DeMaria has 16 team members.

“It’s cliché to say, but it is unbelievable how time flies!” he says.

Despite how busy he may be, Dr. DeMaria always makes time for his patients. He ensures that every patient has his cell phone number and can reach him whenever they need help or have questions.

“What makes my business most unique is my commitment to patient satisfaction,” he says. “I personally call patients after long appointments to make sure they are okay and to answer any questions they may not have thought of [during their appointment].”

In addition to his great team and patient care, Dr. DeMaria has an extensive education, including special training in using Invisalign. Unlike traditional braces that are made of metal brackets, Invisalign is a clear plastic aligner that is worn over your teeth. Invisalign is virtually undetectable and can often feel more comfortable than metal braces because it applies pressure to the teeth more evenly.

Dr. DeMaria is currently a “Gold+” Invisalign provider and offers complimentary assessments for anyone interested in learning more about their orthodontic treatment options.

“I was fortunate enough to get extensive special training in using Invisalign to address most orthodontic issues,” he says. “This allows me to offer this treatment option as a convenient alternative to traditional metal braces.”

Dr. DeMaria is grateful to serve the community he grew up in and can’t wait to see where his practice grows from here. 

“My job is the coolest,” Dr. DeMaria says. “It is one of the only aspects of dentistry where people aren’t terrified to come see me. It is very rewarding to see reactions when braces come off. A team member of mine who has been in the field for over 50 years will tell you it is something that she never gets tired of seeing.”

Anyone interested in scheduling an appointment at DeMaria Family Orthodontics can visit their website, www.CreatingStellarSmiles.com, or give the office a call at (724) 537-5570.