Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Ricci.
Hi Alyssa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in South Florida in a fun-loving Cuban family, who sacrificed everything so that I could pursue my dreams. Since I was a middle schooler, I had my heart set on becoming an Orthodontist because of the joy and confidence a transformed smile gave me. I strive to instill that same joy and confidence in my patients today.
Nothing makes me happier than creating beautiful smiles, both literally and figuratively. Orthodontics doesn’t just feel like a job, it feels like my calling. I am blessed to be in this profession that I love so much! I am a Gator grad one who decided I wanted to leave Florida and experience something new.
After spending six years in Virginia for Dental School and Orthodontic Residency and three years practicing in North Carolina, my husband Jonathan and I decided it was time to move back home so that we could raise our two beautiful daughters alongside our family and childhood friends. We have loved becoming a part of the Doral community and have felt blessed to be able to call Doral our new home.
I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with my Bachelor’s in Food Science and Human Nutrition. I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where I graduated first in my class and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, which recognizes both scholarship and character.
I was sincerely overjoyed (bawled my eyes out) when I was chosen to stay in Virginia as an Orthodontic resident at VCU/MCV, one of the most sought-after residency programs in the country. I went on to work at the top orthodontic office in Raleigh, NC – which was the top Invisalign provider in the state and second in the country. I am proud to have worked alongside such an incredible team and will always consider them family.
As a board-certified orthodontist, I am so excited to bring my knowledge, expertise, and passion for creating beautiful smiles to the Doral community by offering each of my patients an experience like no other. My objective is to truly get to know each and every one of my patients, their unique cases, and both their smiles and life goals!
Education is key. I want each person to understand the VALUE behind their smile transformation, and bring out each individual patient’s BEST smile, both inside and out! I created Ricci Orthodontic Studio to provide a state-of-the-art, family-focused practice with the highest quality orthodontic care in a fun and welcoming environment where everyone can feel at home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been easy. My parents sacrificed so much and worked so hard for my sister and me to pursue our dreams, and I can never thank them enough. I graduated high school with enough credits to finish my Bachelor’s in three years, followed by four years of dental school and two years obtaining my Master’s in Orthodontics.
The road was long. Very long. I studied a lot. But I didn’t only study, I was extremely involved in a ton of extracurriculars my entire life. From the track to riding horses to putting braces on lab rats, to kids ministry at my church, I was always doing something. It was a lot to balance, and I learned a lot about myself and what is most important in life in the process.
Well, I thought I had learned it all… and then I had my first baby. She changed me in ways I didn’t know were possible. I honestly had an identity crisis. All my life I had worked towards becoming an orthodontist. Relationships always mattered to me. People always mattered. And I always wanted to be a mom.
But when I became a mom, I didn’t know how I was supposed to “balance” my calling as an Orthodontist with my calling as a mom. As always, I turned to God. I had to find myself, again. I knew my identity was in Christ and Christ alone, but how did this new role as a mom redefine who I was and what I was meant to do? Well, to be honest, as a mom of two now I am still figuring that out every day.
But I will say this, I could never do what I do without Christ as the center AND without my incredible husband and best friend, Jonathan- my best friend since I was 14 years old. God called me back to Florida because He knew that to be the best orthodontist for my patients and still be the best mom for my daughters, I needed support. And there is no better support than FAMILY. It is true when they say- it takes a village. And I’m so blessed to have THE BEST VILLAGE.
As I embarked on starting my own practice while I was pregnant with my second daughter, having significant undiagnosed health issues during my pregnancy, I realized just how much I could never have stayed in North Carolina. I forgot to mention I never thought I was going to move back to Florida. My husband and I had built our dream home in North Carolina and I never thought I was coming back. But wow, am I glad to be HOME!
This season of life is incredibly challenging. I have a one-year-old, and three and a half year old, and an 8-month-old business. It’s A LOT. But man I wouldn’t change my life for anything in the world. Each day is a blessing. And when you truly LOVE what you do, life is oh so sweet.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ricci Orthodontic Studio is a state-of-the-art, family-focused orthodontic practice, with a boutique concierge-like feel. Our mission is to provide the highest quality, evidence-based orthodontic care in a fun and welcoming environment where you can feel at home.
At our practice, we strive to give you the studio-worthy smile you deserve – instilling the confidence you need to advance in every area of your life. We believe a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, and a beautiful smile is YOUR best smile. Your teeth are the puzzle pieces to your UNIQUE puzzle; we want to show you how beautiful it can be.
We know firsthand that a beautiful and healthy smile can make a world of difference in your life; therefore, my team and I are dedicated to providing the highest level of care, far exceeding the “standard”, because that is what you deserve.
Our practice provides 3D CBCT imaging, 5D scans, 3D printing, private treatment rooms, GLO in-office whitening, complimentary headshots, Pitts self-ligating braces, and the most advanced clear aligner system in the world—Invisalign, all under the care of a Board-Certified Orthodontist, me! We treat you as we would treat our own family because you are family to us!
My objective is to get to know each and every one of my patients, their unique cases, and both their smiles and life goals! Education is key. I want each person to understand the VALUE behind their smile transformation and play an active role in their treatment journey. We want you to feel at ease during every step of the process, from your initial consultation to your final retainer fitting. Let us help you achieve the smile you deserve!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t believe in luck. I believe that God is in complete control and in Him, all things hold together. Every good and perfect gift is from above. All that I have accomplished is really from Him. But I guess some would call it luck. I call it grace. I called it #blessed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ricciorthodonticstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alysricci?igsh=Y3NrdmR4b3oycDBx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091281997015&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-ricci-0b4b89167?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@RicciOrthodonticStudio?si=XHlp3T2vnv9_bNu9
Image Credits
Alex Franco and Andrea Wattley
