When orthodontics is done right, it should never be a boring, impersonal experience. Patients deserve skilled and compassionate care, which you will find at Innovative Orthodontics. We want to take some time to help you get to know our exceptional orthodontists, Dr. Donihue Waters and Dr. Ashley Clayton.
Meet Dr. Donihue Waters
- Focused on You: Dr. Waters’ journey to orthodontics began just outside Nashville, Tennessee, inspired by his own personal experiences. Orthodontic treatment profoundly impacted him, motivating him to dedicate his life to creating beautiful, confident smiles for others.
- Best in Class: Dr. Waters excelled academically, graduating at the top of his class from the University of Memphis before earning his Doctor of Dental Science degree and Master of Science in Orthodontics at the prestigious University of Tennessee School of Dentistry.
- Passion & Experience: With over two decades of experience, Dr. Waters has been shaping stunning smiles since 2000. We’re confident that his magnetic personality will make you feel welcome from the moment you meet him. Dr. Waters views orthodontics as an art form, carefully visualizing each treatment to perfectly complement your facial features and personality.You can expect customized care as Dr. Waters and his dedicated team guide you through your smile transformation.
- Outside of the Office: Dr. Waters loves flying airplanes, kiteboarding, and cherishing moments with his family. As a proud father of four children and grandfather to two, family time is his highest priority. When he’s not in the office, you’ll find Dr. Waters, his wife Angie, and their beloved dog Kaia exploring new adventures.
Meet Dr. Ashley Clayton, DMD
- Home Grown: Born and raised near Savannah, Dr. Clayton’s interest in dentistry began while observing his father-in-law, a dentist in the Savannah community for over three decades. Seeing firsthand how orthodontics boosts confidence inspired him to specialize in creating exceptional smiles for himself.
- Education and Experience: Dr. Clayton graduated at the top of his class from Armstrong Atlantic State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He continued his educational excellence at the Dental College of Georgia, achieving the number one ranking in his class and earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Following dental school, Dr. Clayton completed an intensive 2.5-year orthodontic residency, further specializing at the Dental College of Georgia. His advanced training equips him to handle even the most complex orthodontic cases.
- A Closer Look: Dr. Clayton’s meticulous attention to detail perfectly complements his orthodontic expertise, which ensures that each patient’s treatment plan is precise and tailored to their individual goals.
- Outside of the Office: Dr. Clayton and his wife Katie are thrilled to be back in the Savannah area. When he’s not creating stunning smiles at Innovative Orthodontics, Dr. Clayton enjoys spending quality time with his family, exploring outdoor adventures, traveling, and sampling new local eateries. To balance the dynamics of living with three daughters, Dr. Clayton also finds fun in activities like fishing, hunting, running, and improving his golf game.
Family-Owned and Operated
It’s really important to distinguish the difference between family practices and corporate practices in the orthodontic field. Your choice will impact your final results, and a family practice like Innovative Orthodontics is always your best option for treatment.
The Benefits of Family-Owned Practices:
- Personalized Care: Treatment plans are highly personalized; orthodontists build strong, trusting relationships with patients over many years.
- Consistency: Patients will see the same orthodontist and team throughout treatment, which fosters an amazing sense of communication.
- Flexible Decision-Making: Decisions can be tailored individually without rigid corporate protocols (that might have ulterior motives), offering more flexible financial and treatment options.
- Community-Oriented: Family-owned practices often actively participate in community activities, creating a sense of familiarity, trust, and local connection.
- Long-Term Relationships: Orthodontists like us often treat multiple generations of the same family over decades, building trust, loyalty, and strong relationships.
The Disadvantages of Corporate Offices:
- Impersonal Care: Frequent changes are common in orthodontics, resulting in less personalized patient-doctor relationships. Employees often feel more like a “staff” than a “team.”
- Less Flexibility: Treatment decisions might be governed by corporate policies, reducing customization to patient-specific needs.
- Pressure for Productivity: Potential pressure on staff and orthodontists for high patient turnover or productivity metrics can sometimes impact the patient experience.
- Lack of Community Connection: Corporate offices generally lack deep connections with local communities or personalized patient relationships, potentially reducing trust or comfort levels.
Best and Brightest
Dr. Waters and Dr. Clayton don’t want orthodontics to be a dull, clinical experience for you and your family. Instead, we hope that you feel like you can place your trust in our doctors and our team as you develop your new smile, and we will be there to celebrate the results with you! Come visit us soon in Savannah, Rincon, or Pooler.