Since starting the practice in 2005, Dr. Mellas has sought out an exceptional team that allows the patients to experience top notch care in a pleasant and warm environment. At Mellas Orthodontics, patients receive the benefit of having more than one highly skilled orthodontists expertise during the diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment process. The practice philosophy is that the orthodontists collaboratively treatment plan and treat the patients to achieve an exceptional outcome.
The Mellas Orthodontics team consists of orthodontists with excellent educational backgrounds and experience complemented by an administrative and clinical staff that are thorough and highly skilled. Dr. Mellas finalizes all treatment plans and is involved throughout the treatment process along with Dr. Hummert and Dr. Cappetta. By having more than one orthodontist in each practice location, patient wait time is minimized and treatment decisions are thoroughly calculated. Finally, the practice is unique in that parents are welcomed to join their child while the treatment is being rendered, so that all questions can be answered by the orthodontists and staff.
Dr. Stella P. Mellas has been providing orthodontic care for children and adults for more than 15 years and has earned the distinction of Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, meaning she is a Board Certified Orthodontist. She established Mellas Orthodontics with the goal of providing individualized attention while utilizing the latest advances in treatment techniques.
Dr. Mellas received a Bachelor of Science degree at Manhattan College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine where she received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery and graduated top of her class with High Honors. She was honored as a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon, National Honor Society of Dentistry. Among other awards, Dr. Mellas received the American Association of Women Dentists Award, Honors in Clinical Operative Dentistry, and Excellence in Orthodontics Award through the Orthodontics Selective Program. She then went on to the University of Connecticut Orthodontic Program where she received a certificate in Orthodontics and a Masters of Dental Science through research completed in the area of bone biology. She received a Graduate Research Award and was named Chief Resident in her final year of residency.
Dr. Mellas is an active member of the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists, Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Board Certified Orthodontist, former orthodontic advisor of the Morris Seminars Dental Study Group, and was formerly President of the Tri County Dental Society. Dr. Mellas continues to attend numerous courses and seminars on the practice of orthodontics to bring her patients the latest techniques and treatments.
Dr. Mellas was born and raised in Westchester County, NY. Outside of the practice, Dr. Mellas is very involved in the community and has been a volunteer in the pediatric department at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital and a volunteer with the Family Service of Morristown Branch-Out Program.Dr. Mellas and her husband, Scott, live in Somerset County, New Jersey with their two sons, William and James. In her free time, Dr. Mellas enjoys running, biking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Dont forget to say hi next time you see Dr. Mellas jogging by!
Dr. Christel Hummert joined the Mellas Orthodontics team in December 2012 and has been in private practice since 2004. Dr. Hummert offers patients a very detail oriented treatment approach and commitment to quality care. She is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Hummert grew up in Scotch Plains, NJ. She attended Haverford College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She received a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She then went on to Columbia University where she completed a General Practice Residency and also received a Certificate in Orthodontics.
Dr. Hummert continues to attend numerous courses and seminars on the practice of orthodontics to bring patients the latest techniques and treatments. Additionally, she stays active in the dental and orthodontic communities through memberships with the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Board of Orthodontists, the New Jersey Dental Association, Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists and the Union County Dental Society.
Dr. Hummert currently resides in Millburn with her husband, Matt, two children, Sophia and Teddy, and a Scottish terrier named Pepper. She is passionate about her children and loves spending her free time playing with them and watching them grow. She also enjoys gardening and reading when time allows. Make sure to ask Dr. Hummert about her latest read next time you visit the Long Valley office.
Dr. Laura Cappetta joined the Mellas Orthodontics team in April 2012 and has experience working in several established private practices since 2009. Her thorough treatment approach and warm personality is a wonderful complement to the practice. Dr. Cappetta was born and raised in Summit and attended Kent Place School. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University, Dr. Cappetta moved to Philadelphia to attend Dental School at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time she also earned a Masters Degree in Higher Education from Penn Graduate School of Education. After receiving her DMD and MSEd., Dr. Cappetta began the orthodontics program at the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her certificate in orthodontics and received the departmental research award for her work with 3D cone beam imaging of volumetric airway changes after palatal expansion.
Dr. Cappetta is currently an associate clinical professor at New York University's Orthodontic Department. As an orthodontist committed to the quality of care she provides, Dr. Cappetta completes more continuing education than is required by state boards to keep her knowledge up-to-date and to stay on top of new and developing treatments and technology. Additionally, she stays active in the dental and orthodontic communities through memberships with the American Dental Association, The American Association of Orthodontics, the New Jersey Association of Orthodontists, and the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontics.
Dr. Cappetta resides in Morris County with her husband Craig and her son Luke. In her spare time, Dr. Cappetta enjoys visiting New York and loves all that the city has to offer. She likes to visit museums, attend Broadway shows and is a big fan of the New York Yankees. Make sure to talk about the Yankees with Dr. Cappetta next time you visit the Basking Ridge office!