"I have been an orthodontist in Cary since 1995 and I love my profession on many levels. I problem-solve complex cases, work with my mind and my hands, and am surrounded by wonderful people every day. I see a diverse population of patients of all ages with a wide variety of hopes, dreams and interesting life stories. My profession has given me the opportunity to provide a desired service to a great community. I can think of nothing I would rather do.

I am ever attending continuing education courses and seminars to maintain and further my knowledge and skill as an orthodontist. I also participate in local study clubs and subscribe to contemporary orthodontic journals. I take being a continuous student as requisite to my profession.

I am involved in many professional organizations, both locally and nationally, including the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the North Carolina Dental Society.

I am originally from Springfield, IL and have lived in Cary for the past 23 years. I am blessed with a loving wife and three healthy kids. In what little spare time I have, I paint. It gives me quiet time and it's just plain fun!  My family and I are members of Hope Community Church. My daughter, Randi, graduated from Harvard where she had a successful hockey career. She will participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Go Randi!  My second daughter, Kelly, attended and played hockey at Brown University. Kelly is now pursuing her Master's Degree in Social Work at Loyola University in Chicago.  My son, Josh, graduated from NC State University in December of 2016.  He will be entering Marine Corp. Officer training in the Spring of 2018.

--Tom Griffin

Education

Dr. Griffin completed his orthodontic residency at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1994 simultaneously earning a Masters of Science degree.  He has been in private practice in Cary since February of 1995.  Dr. Griffin is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Wake County Dental Society.

Dr. Griffin attained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Northwestern University in 1986 and completed a post-graduate residency in hospital dentistry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  Following that, Dr. Griffin completed a Head and Neck Cancer Fellowship at the University of Chicago funded by the American Cancer Society in 1987.  The university then hired him as a clinical instructor in the department of surgery and eventually as director of the general practice residency program.  The hours were horrendous and with two young daughters and a wife that he sparingly saw, Dr. Griffin reconsidered other avenues for his career.  Orthodontics was a perfect fit for the balance of family life and career challenge that he desired.  Gaining acceptance to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill program fulfilled his new start and introduced his family to a state and community they have grown to love.

Resources

American Association of Orthodontists® (AAO)

On this site, you can learn about orthodontists—specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The correction of tooth and jaw alignment results in a healthy, attractive smile that's good for life.

American Dental Association (ADA)

The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public's oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement.