It’s gonna be a gas!
Protect your pearly whites with the 2026 edition of our annual Top Dentists list, featuring peer-selected dental professionals in nine different specialties.
Edited by Leah LeMoine, Craig Outhier, & Nora Burba Trulsson | Photography by Steve Craft
Anna Vaysman, D.D.S.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental School/Year of Graduation: Midwestern University, 2014
Years in Practice: 12
The “makeover” aspect of your work must be gratifying. Has any particular story of transformation stuck with you over the years?
Yes, quite a few cases… particularly some pro bono work I did for [a pair of] young women in a recovery facility who had young children. In those situations, we provided what I would describe as “hero dentistry,” doing everything possible to restore their oral health and rebuild their smiles. I continue to see both women, and it has been incredibly rewarding to witness their transformations.
What is your personal philosophy on smile aesthetics? Can a smile be too perfect? Is a bit of imperfection necessary?
Absolutely, a smile can be too perfect. Real teeth have texture, translucency and natural variations in height, width, length and shape. What’s trending now is authenticity – “real-looking” teeth. Hollywood smiles will always have their place, but to me, the best compliment is when people can’t tell you’ve had dental work done.
Is Botox for TMJ trending? Can it be used in other dental applications?
Botox is incredible for TMJ, and I highly recommend it in the right cases. Sometimes retainers and nightguards just aren’t enough for relief or protection, especially when the masseter muscles need extra support. Beyond TMJ, Botox can also help with gummy smiles and lip lines.
Your family immigrated from Belarus. Have you found any restaurants in the Valley that offer a taste of home?
I wish I could say yes, but there really isn’t an exceptional Russian restaurant here. There’s an Uzbek restaurant called Samarkand that has good plov and a few Russian dishes, but nothing that truly tastes like home. Thankfully, Yasha from Russia helps keep me stocked with some favorites when I need them. My kids could eat pelmeni every day!
Which celebrity’s smile do you most admire?
I’ve always admired the smiles of Kate Hudson and Julia Roberts. Kate Hudson has an incredibly warm, infectious smile that feels both natural and inviting, while Julia Roberts is known for her signature wide smile that radiates confidence and lights up her entire face.
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
If we’re being completely honest, my real indulgences are a bit more classic – I love a black and white milkshake from In-N-Out Burger, and Dr Pepper is definitely my soda of choice. And anything with Nutella on it is my ultimate weakness.
If you weren’t a cosmetic dentist, what would you be?
An archaeologist. I grew up dreaming of discovering a famous Egyptian mummy. After The Mummy movie with Brendan Fraser came out, I even wrote a high school paper about discovering Imhotep’s tomb – which, by the way, still hasn’t been found!
Donald Hom, D.D.S.
Dental Anesthesiology
Dental School/Year of Graduation: University of Southern California School of Dentistry, 2002
Years in Practice: 20
As a dental anesthesiologist, do you work within one office, or do you spread your time between many practices?
When I first started, my practice took me all over the state of Arizona. Nowadays, I strictly treat patients in offices within the Phoenix Metro area.
Dental anesthesia is a relatively new subspecialty in dentistry, isn’t it? Were you one of the first in the state?
Dental anesthesia has been around for a long time, actually – it just took a lot of effort and time to finally get the official designation as a “specialty” in 2019. There were just a handful of us when I started in Arizona, maybe 10 or so. Now, I would say that there are more than 40.
Have there been any advancements in dental anesthesiology in the past few years? Anything exciting on the horizon?
Equipment and technology are always getting better. For example, my residency directors did not have [tools] such as the video laryngoscope, [which allows us to be] certain that our tube placement is correct as we observe the process in real time. [And today] our anesthesia monitors and machines are basically on the same level as those as you could find in a hospital. Anything that helps improve patient monitoring is helpful.
Do you approach pediatric patients differently than their adult counterparts?
Adults usually have a lot more in-depth questions about anesthesia. Children want to be reassured as much as possible that the anesthetic is not going to hurt!
Which celebrity’s smile do you most admire?
Margot Robbie has an amazing smile! [Most] celebrities have had some form of dental treatment, and I don’t think she is immune to it. But I think her smile is as genuine as can be.
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
I have a weakness for soda. Root beer, specifically.
What’s the funniest thing a patient has said to you on nitrous oxide?
Yes, I have a funny one. The kid wasn’t on anything… he was just blunt: “Why are your eyes like that?”
“If I wasn’t a dental anesthesiologist, I’d be…”
A teacher. Specifically, I would teach math to young kids. Math is so essential, and I really appreciated my math instructors for their patience. While taking a summer school algebra class, I was literally failing because I couldn’t figure out the factoring concept. But after spending hours on [the problem] with the instructor, it finally clicked, and I ended up doing very well! Had it not been for him, I honestly could say that my life would probably be very different.
Hope Feldman, D.M.D.
Endodontics
Dental School/Year of Graduation: Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 2015
Years in Practice: 10
You save at-risk teeth by performing root canals. Are there circumstances when tooth failure is so advanced, you recommend extraction instead?
Absolutely. As an endodontist, my obligation is to the patient, not the tooth. Vertical root fractures, advanced resorption, severe periodontal involvement or poor restorability can all make extraction the more prudent choice. A perfect root canal on an unsalvageable tooth serves no one. We treat people, not teeth.
Are there any preventive habits or practices that can help patients avoid root issues?
As an endodontist who works with professional athletes, I’ve seen firsthand what trauma can do. Mouth guards should be a non-negotiable during sports for adults and kids alike! Prevention also means consistent hygiene, regular dental visits, addressing cracks early and a night guard if you brux.
As the team endodontist for the Suns, D-backs and Mercury, do you find that athletes present any specific challenges?
Biggest challenge: They do not always fit in the chair!
How important is it to offer same- or next-day treatment for patients with dental pain? Do you feel like you get a taste of the fast-paced urgency of the ER with such cases?
Tooth pain can be genuinely debilitating. I’ve had patients tell me they’d rather give birth than endure a toothache. Dental pain is a crisis, and I treat it as one. We diagnose quickly, act decisively and deliver relief. So, there’s definitely an ER energy to this specialty that I thrive in, and the immediate, tangible impact on someone’s experience is why I chose [it].
Which celebrity’s smile do you most admire?
If we are talking about Hollywood, that would definitely be Julia Roberts. If we are talking about athletes, easy – [Mercury forward] Alyssa Thomas. Go Mercury!
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
I love hard candy on road trips, so FireBalls and Lemonheads are my go-to. And sparkling water, I cannot live without it.
What’s the funniest thing a patient has said to you on nitrous oxide?
One little boy, mid-procedure, suddenly lit up and started joyfully calling out to his dog, Bonnie, who I learned had recently passed away. And I mean a full reunion – tail presumably wagging, he was petting the air. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry!
“If I wasn’t an endodontist, I’d be…”
Renaissance woman Sylvia Earle. Pioneering ocean scientist, National Geographic explorer and one of the most influential conservationists alive… A girl can dream!
Todd Mabry, D.D.S.
General Dentistry
Dental School/Year Graduated: Marquette University, 1999
Years in Practice: 26 years
Do you function like a primary care doctor, referring patients to specialists if needed?
Yes, very much so. A general [dentist] often acts as the “quarterback” of a patient’s oral health. We diagnose, plan and coordinate care. When a case requires more specialized treatment, I work closely with trusted specialists – oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists and orthodontists – to make sure the patient gets the best possible outcome. The key is collaboration and having a strong team
around the patient.
Do you have “favorites” – populations or procedures you especially enjoy?
[On the cosmetic side of my practice,] I really enjoy working with patients who are ready for a transformation – whether that’s restoring worn teeth, redesigning a smile, repairing trauma cases or helping someone regain confidence they’ve lost over time.
Can you tell us about your work with Smile Beyond the Bars?
Smile Beyond the Bars is a cause I’ve been very passionate about… focused on providing dental care to underserved and often overlooked populations, specifically incarcerated individuals. The goal was not just to treat dental issues, but to restore dignity and help people regain confidence in themselves.
Which celebrity’s smile do you most admire?
I’d say Scarlett Johansson – her smile is effortless, warm and completely natural. In cosmetic dentistry, the goal isn’t to make every smile look the same; each one should be unique and reflect the person’s personality, just like hers.
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
I’d have to say coffee. It’s not great for staining, but it’s hard to give up. Like most things, it’s about moderation – and maybe a little whitening maintenance.
What’s the funniest thing a patient has said on nitrous oxide or sedation?
We’ve heard everything! One of my favorites was a patient who looked at me very seriously and said, “Doc… when this is over, we should go to Hawaii together. You’ve earned it.”
“If I wasn’t an oral surgeon, I’d be…”
Probably doing something entrepreneurial, building or in design. Cosmetic dentistry sits at the intersection of health care, engineering and artistry – and I’ve always been drawn to building and creating things that have a lasting impact.
Tannaz Malekzadeh, D.M.D.
Periodontics
Dental School/Year of Graduation: University of Connecticut, 2002
Years in Practice: 21
What are some of the dental issues that would compel a general dentist to refer a patient to a surgical gum specialist such as yourself?
[They refer] patients to us when the condition is advanced, complex or requires surgical expertise. For example: periodontitis, which is a severe bacterial infection of the gums and connective tissue that support teeth. We also see a lot of patients with mucogingival issues, when the gum tissue retracts, exposing the roots and causing poor aesthetics. We also treat pre-prosthetic or implant site issues, peri-implant disease and periodontal abscesses.
Are any periodontal issues on the rise?
Yes, peri-implant disease. It’s becoming more common because dental implants have exploded in popularity over the last 20 to 30 years, and more implants equals more total complications over time, [compounded by] poor maintenance habits and other factors. Implants were once marketed as “permanent” or “maintenance-free.” Now, we understand they require lifelong periodontal-level care.
Besides flossing, what can people do to promote gum health? Do you advise special toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc.?
Floss is boss! Any interproximal products are beneficial – toothpicks, proxy brushes, etc. Things that clean between the teeth. Plus, regular dental check-ups.
You’re an animal lover! Tell us about your rescue dogs and cat.
Animals are amazing and teach us a lot about ourselves. They are pure love and oftentimes misunderstood. As always, adopt don’t shop – but also buy and don’t return.
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
Caramels and taffy.
“If I wasn’t a periodontist, I’d be…”
A fashion designer.
Symen VanderLinden, D.M.D.
TMD & Orofacial Pain
Dental School/Year of Graduation: Midwestern University, 2017
Years in Practice: 9
For the layperson, please explain TMD and TMJ. What causes it?
TMJ simply means temporomandibular joint. It’s the jaw joint. Everyone has a jaw joint. Problems associated with the jaw joint are labeled temporomandibular dysfunction, or TMD. Causes can range among several things, and usually an overactive jaw muscle is part of the equation.
In addition to professional treatment, is there anything TMD sufferers can do for their pain? Any home remedies or alternative approaches you find helpful?
Most remedies are covering the real issue, like a Band-Aid. The best approach is to find out what is actually causing the problem, especially because it’s not the same for everyone. Treatment can be very simple in some cases, but knowing the cause can provide the answers for remedies.
“Dental sleep medicine” is part of your professional training. Is that also related to TMD?
TMD is closely related to sleep. Many of us with overactive jaw muscles have much more activity at night than during the day, which definitely can affect sleep. Excessive jaw muscle activity can be caused by several things, and airway is a big one. Proper airway while you sleep is so important and often connects TMD to sleep quality.
You grew up in Mesa! Any favorite local haunts, especially restaurants?
Mesa is such an incredible community to live in and enjoy. Outdoor recreation in the East Valley has always been top of my favorites, but I also love great Mexican Food. There are several amazing restaurants in Mesa, and Zona Cantina + Cocina is certainly
among them.
Which celebrity’s smile do you most admire?
Will Ferrell… I would love to work on his teeth!
What’s your favorite “bad for teeth” food or drink?
Corn Nuts.
What’s the funniest thing a patient has said to you on nitrous oxide?
“Teeth are just bones that decided to be fancy.”
“If I wasn’t a dentist, I’d be…”
Everyone’s best friend! Everyone hates the dentist.
