Dr. Kelly Ritter, DDS

I am truly lucky to be an orthodontist, and to serve such a wonderful group of patients. I love living in Cary, and have been practicing here since 2001. I get to work with people of all ages, and enjoy getting to know them through the course of treatment. I love creating beautiful smiles, but I also want each patient to have a positive experience here, where they feel comfortable and appreciated.
Education
In my journey to become an orthodontist, I attended Penn State University as a Pre-Med major, and received early acceptance into the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, where I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery with Distinction in 1998. During my years in Dental School, I was awarded the William S. Kramer Award for Academic Excellence, was inducted in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, and was given the Alpha Omega Outstanding Dental Student Award for graduating Valedictorian of my dental class.
After attaining my DDS, I continued my education at …UNC Chapel Hill, receiving my Masters of Science Degree in Orthodontics in 2001. The orthodontic program at UNC is recognized as being one of the top orthodontic residencies in the world, accepting only five applicants from approximately 300 applicants each year. During my orthodontic residency, I completed my Master's thesis on the evaluation of facial esthetics and muscular movements in patients with cleft lip and palate, which was then published in the Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Journal.
Continuing Education
I love learning about orthodontics, and enjoy integrating new methods and technologies into our practice. Every year, I take multiple hours of continuing education courses and seminars to keep abreast of the most advanced, proven orthodontic services and to learn from my colleagues and their experiences. We often discuss difficult or complex cases, and give each other insight to different approaches. I will never stop learning about orthodontics, and will only provide the most advanced treatments for my wonderful patients.
In the Practice
The best part of my job is helping my patients feel great about themselves! Whether it's through a new smile or making a personal connection, I want my patients to gain a new sense of confidence throughout treatment. Many of our patients are teens at a tender age, and could really use the extra boost in self-esteem. A great smile does that, and when a person smiles, other people do, too!
Of course, I also love treating adult patients, and seeing their relief when they realize how easy and simple the orthodontic process can be. I love chatting with them about their jobs and families, and helping them get a great smile that perhaps they have put off till now. In the end, my patients are all grateful for what I do for them, and I am grateful for the time I get to be part of their lives.
A great practice doesn't stop with the doctors. My staff is my orthodontic family, and I know I can rely on them to make our patients feel completely at home, and to provide gentle and effective care. My team is great at what they do, and they make our practice a wonderful place to visit for all our patients!
Family and Community
I grew up in a dental family, as my father was a cosmetic dentist who practiced over 30 years in Harrisburg, PA. My husband, Herb, and I love living in Cary, and are glad to raise our two daughters, Emerson and Ella, in such a wonderful community. When I am not in the office, I enjoy playing tennis, decorating, traveling, or just spending time with my husband and kids.
As an active member of Cary, I attend Hope Community Church, play tennis at Cary Tennis Park, and enjoy donating orthodontic cases each year to local school auctions. I also sponsor many local sport teams, support the race for the cure and other fundraisers yearly, and am a member of local and state dental societies.
American Association of Orthodontists®
https://www.braces.org
On this site, you can learn about orthodontic specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The correction