Dr. Jay Ramirez

Dr. Elana Laks, a South Florida native, is a distinguished restorative dentist in Miami with a deep passion for both science and art, which she skillfully blends in her practice. She earned her dental degree from Temple University in Philadelphia and went on to complete a rigorous four-year program in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthetics at Indiana University, Indianapolis, where she was recognized with several awards by the John F. Johnston Society.

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As a member of the American College of Prosthodontics and an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Dr. Laks is committed to staying at the forefront of dental advancements with a particular interest in Maxillofacial rehabilitation. She has made significant contributions to the field, including published research on reducing dental pain.

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Her Professional Philosophy

Dr. Laks’ approach to dentistry is deeply influenced by her love for art and commitment to helping patients come to love their smiles. Her artistic background enriches her work in maxillofacial prosthodontics, a specialty she adores for its creative and outside-the-box thinking. Her commitment to creating beautiful smiles is matched by her dedication to making patients feel comfortable and at ease. 

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As a restorative dentist in Miami, Dr. Laks feels she has found something unique in Nuvia’s judgment-free environment and ability to provide patients with permanent teeth 24 hours after surgery. 

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Personal Life

Outside the clinic, Dr. Laks is an avid scuba diver, musician skilled in guitar, boxing enthusiast, traveler, and painter. Her diverse interests not only reflect her dynamic personality but also contribute to her unique approach to providing personalized and compassionate dental care.

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Meet Dr. Belok, a dedicated restorative dentist and dental implant doctor at Nuvia Dental Implant Center in Chevy Chase. After spending a decade in Manhattan, Dr. Belok recently returned to Maryland, bringing his unique blend of experience and compassion to our patients. Though he initially considered a career as an ER doctor—spurred by his time as a paramedic—it was his father's nearly 50-year career in dentistry that eventually guided him to his calling as a restorative dentist and now dental implant doctor. He holds a degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and completed his dental education at the University of New York College of Dentistry, followed by a residency at Lincoln Hospital.

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Why Nuvia

After gaining valuable experience at his father's practice, Dr. Belok joined Nuvia in Chevy Chase, drawn by his passion for dental implants and the transformative impact they have on patients' lives. He relishes the opportunity as a dental implant doctor to provide people with a brand new set of teeth, changing their lives one smile at a time.

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He is especially excited to be able to provide patients with their permanent teeth in 24 hours; a unique experience for those seeking to restore their smile with dental implants.

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Personal Life

When not restoring smiles, Dr. Belok is a devoted husband and father to a boy, a girl, and a furry canine companion. A lifelong tennis enthusiast, he also enjoys cycling and has a knack for hands-on activities, whether it's playing with Legos or building computers. Fluent in English and Hebrew, with conversational Spanish skills, Dr. Belok is excited to be part of your journey to a healthier, happier smile.

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Dr. Walter D. Thames was born and raised in Abilene, a medium sized city in west Texas.  He has three incredible children, daughter Avery, oldest son Josiah, and youngest son Gideon.  He loves being able to share his life with such wonderful and supportive people.

Dr. Andrew Pak is a dedicated restorative dentist in Baltimore currently working with Nuvia Dental Implant Center. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Pak found that he could pursue science and art through a career in dentistry.

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Dr. Pak's professional journey in dentistry began with a year of general practice, after which he shifted his focus to prosthetics as a restorative dentist. During this time, he experienced firsthand the limitations of acrylic prosthetics. At Nuvia, he has loved being able to provide patients with permanent teeth made from zirconia, a material known for its durability and strength. 

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What Dr. Pak loves most about working at Nuvia is the environment of passion and innovation it fosters, aligning perfectly with his own professional values. He looks forward to meeting patients and assisting them on their journey to rebuild their smiles. To all those considering taking next steps to change their smile and improve their life, Dr. Pak’s message is that Nuvia is a judgment-free environment where the whole team strives to help patients feel comfortable and reassured from the moment they step into the office. You're in caring and capable hands with Dr. Andrew Pak and the rest of the Nuvia Baltimore team.

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Outside of the Office

When he isn’t working as a restorative dentist, Dr. Pak is a true hobbyist. Outside the office he can be found 3D printing and sculpting, pursuing photography, or doing yoga. He also loves spending time with his wife whether it be cooking, watching movies, or just hanging out. 

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A few of Dr. Pak's 3D printing projects:

Dr. Persenaire graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he realized his passion for restorative dentistry and went on to the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine to complete his postgraduate prosthodontics training.  During his time at UConn SDM he also earned a Master’s Degree by doing research on smile esthetics and ultimately published the findings in a prestigious dental journal.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Dr. Alex Isom is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with more than 12 years of experience in the dental field.

He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006 after which he completed a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Isom married his wife, Heather, in 2003 and they now live in Salt Lake City with their children.

After years placing dental implants, Dr. Isom was thrilled to join the Nuvia team in 2022 and provide permanent teeth in 24 hours.