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Meet Dr. Leslie Pitner
South Carolina’s #1 Invisalign Orthodontist
meet the doctor:
Background & Education
I graduated from Chapin High School in 1986 before attending Williams College, where I received my undergraduate degree in 1990. At Williams, I majored in art and graduated with highest honors, earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa. After completing a master’s degree in art history at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995, I decided to pursue a career in dentistry. I graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 2002, where I was elected to membership in OKU, a dental honor society. I also completed my specialty certificate at UNC and received my Master of Science in Orthodontics in 2005. Beyond my technical training in dentistry and orthodontics, I also completed an unique master’s degree program in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. Positive psychology focuses on personal growth and happiness (rather than pathology and mental illness) in human development.
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Meet Dr. Leslie Pitner D.D.S., M.S.
South Carolina’s #1 Invisalign Orthodontist
a look into
my personal life
I grew up in a world of teeth – my father John Pitner was an orthodontist and began this practice, but as a kid I knew I didn’t want to be an orthodontist. Clearly his job was pretty strange – who wants to put their hands in people’s mouths? Yuck (and this was before gloves!). In fact, after college, I began a Ph.D. program in Art History on track to be a professor. But I realized I was not happy spending time just reading and writing. I wanted to do something that made the world more beautiful, but also made a difference in people’s lives. Suddenly my dad’s strange job started to look pretty amazing. So I made the switch and went to dental school and completed my residency to specialize in orthodontics. Once I started treating patients, I quickly began to see how a new smile transforms lives and decided I wanted to study the psychology behind the smile, so I completed a unique Masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology. Now I am doing the work I always dreamed of – creating beautiful smiles that truly transform people’s lives! Over 20,000 people in the Columbia, South Carolina area have had their lives changed with a smile from Pitner Orthodontics. Because of my research on the importance of a smile, I wrote Improve Your Smile, Transform Your Life: A Guide to Orthodontics for Adults. I know that a smile can change your brain and your life in ways you may have never imagined. A confident smile can take you to places you never dreamed and the benefits continue to build over a lifetime.
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Meet Dr. Leslie Pitner D.D.S., M.S.
South Carolina’s #1 Invisalign Orthodontist
leader & professional
author, leader, & teacher
I am happy to be part of the business community in my hometown of Columbia, SC. My husband, Kirk Kicklighter, and I enjoy living in downtown Columbia. I am still passionate about art – both making it and collecting it. I love finding new artists among my patients and you will find many pieces of mine and theirs in the offices. I am also endlessly curious, so I love to read and write about new ideas and travel to new places. I also spend a few weekends a year at road tracks racing my Miata.
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Free New Patient Smile Assessment Pack ($249 value)
New patients get a free smile assessment that includes digital x-rays, and a complete smile analysis ($249 value) with treatment when you sign up for your initial consultation online.
Book your free consult
SMILES BY DESIGN
Confident smiles need more than just “straight” teeth.
SMILE ARC
Natural, aesthetic smiles tend to follow the contour of the lips. Although many orthodontists are obsessed with perfectly straight teeth, that’s actually not the secret to a better smile. Instead, we’ll make it so the bottom edge of your upper teeth match the natural curve of your mouth.
SMILE VME
Smile VME gets rid of that “Gummy Smile” and shifts the bite into the correct position to make the gums appear less prominent.
SMILE WIDTH
Studies show that the wider your smile, the better. While we’re trying to show off as much as your individual teeth as possible, we’re also maximizing the number of teeth that are visible when you smile—from front to back.
LOVE YOURSELF(IE)
Real results, real testimonials, real patients in love with
their new smiles.
Our family has been cared for by Pitner Orthodontics for over 10 years. We are grateful for their caring, friendly, positive approach with our children. We also love the new functional bites and confident smiles!
I’m so impressed with Pitner Orthodontics. Dr. Pitner and staff are courteous, friendly, informative, and efficient. I never had to wait longer than 2 minutes before being seen and everyone greets you with a smile. Dr. Pitner explains everything and does an outstanding job.
Most friendly, efficient and talented staff anyone could ask for! We have been so pleased with the service and results of two children in our family having their braces at Pitner. 5 stars for sure!
We had our first visit on Tuesday. I really felt comfortable with everyone at the office. I don’t think I laughed so much. I wasn’t worried the whole time. Everyone made me feel very comfortable. Plus I got ICE CREAM!!! The best part!!!
Great service. I have never met a staff so sweet and friendly. Dr. Pinter does a wonderful job. Just a few weeks after getting my braces put on.. I began to see changes!! Love them all!!
Just got my braces off and couldn’t be happier! I struggled with crooked teeth my whole life and finally feel good about my smile! Dr Pitner and her team were very kind and supportive the whole time!
Columbia Office