Dr. Eric Thomas Vela, DDS

Meet Dr. Vela
Welcome to Vela Orthodontics! I am excited about providing orthodontic care for the Corpus Christi and Alice communities. To me, being an orthodontic specialist means providing the highest quality of care to people of all ages, and focusing on the esthetics, function, and health of each individual smile. It is my goal to help each one of my patients achieve the beautiful smile they've always wanted, and to help guide them toward improved oral health.
My team is a wonderful group of talented individuals who also believe in creating esthetic, functional, and healthy smiles for all of our patients. Each member of the team has received ample training and hands-on experience. They are friendly, respectful, and accommodating toward the needs of our patients.
Working with so many different people gives me the opportunity to constantly form new relationships and friendships with the patients, families, and team members who I feel blessed to be working with each day. It is a …great feeling to know that each day I can come to work and do something that I am truly passionate about, and I look forward to sharing in your orthodontic experience!
Education
I love being an orthodontist, especially when I am able to see how happy my patients are when their treatment is complete and they see their new smiles for the first time. My own personal journey toward becoming an orthodontist began after graduating from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi. I went on to attend college, where I received extensive training in dentistry and orthodontics.
Bachelor of Science degree – St. Mary's University, San Antonio
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Master's Degree in Oral Biology, Certificate in Orthodontics – Baylor College of Dentistry, 27-month orthodontic residency program, Dallas
Continuing Education
Orthodontics is always changing; there's always something new being developed, and it's important to me that I stay current with the latest advances in my field so that I can offer you the most advanced treatments possible.
I regularly participate in continuing education opportunities, and attend various conferences including the American Association of Orthodontists annual convention. I am also a member of the American Dental Association.
Outside of the practice…
I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, and I feel fortunate to be providing orthodontic care to a community that I know and love. My wife, Amy, and I both graduated from Mary Carroll High School, and we are blessed to have generations of our families still living in and around the Corpus Christi area. Amy and I have one daughter, Mia, and two dogs, Roscoe and Lexus. I enjoy spending time with my family when I'm away from the practice.
I am also a big sports fan (soccer, football, basketball, baseball, I enjoy them all), and enjoy hunting, fishing, reading, and spending time outdoors. I look forward to getting to know you, and most of all, I look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve.