Norris Orthodontics

Whether he was stationed in Taiwan, perfecting his Mandarin speaking skills, or working with the youth program at his home church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Don Norris has always felt the call to serve others.

“I’ve always enjoyed making people happy and seeing them smile,” said Norris. 

While completing his orthodontics residency at the UAB School of Dentistry, Norris began working with Dr. Clark Browne. Toward the final year of his residency, Browne sold his practice to Norris, a lifelong Vestavia resident.

The practice is located at 701 Montgomery Highway, Suite 201. Norris retained all of Dr. Browne’s staff, including three trained dental assistants and one licensed hygienist. 

“They are welcoming and wonderful in every way,” said Norris. “I cannot do what I do without them.”

Norris treats all ages, using the latest ortho technology and monitoring growth and development. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that everyone see an orthodontist by age seven.

“That is really young, but the purpose is to screen for any problems, such as a cross-bite, that may need to be addressed earlier,” he said. “We also monitor eruption of teeth to make sure none are growing in the wrong direction.”

Norris has already taken great care to further the practice’s reputation as welcoming and approachable. 

“My vision for the practice is that everyone who comes in feels happy to be there,” said Norris. “Our mission statement is that we treat everyone we contact as friends and family; we serve our patients and community with respect and love, welcoming everyone we meet as friends and family. Through exceptional and innovative orthodontic care, we enable those we serve to enjoy the confidence of a beautiful smile.”

This has included Norris treating his own family, an experience he cites as especially meaningful. 

“There is something about giving something to someone that they have not been able to have,” he said. “I treated my dad in his 60s. He has put all his kids through braces, and he has never had them, though he needed them. Now, it is fun to see him smile confidently and not wrinkle his lip when he smiles.”

Norris is already a familiar face to many in the community. Husband to Mindi, a native of Riverside, California, and father to daughters Corinne, Kaitlin and Marci, Norris is active with Partners in Education for Vestavia Hills City Schools, through which he hopes to introduce an oral hygiene education program. 

“I love Vestavia Hills,” he said. “To be able to practice here is an enormous blessing to me. I love the people I interact with on a daily basis. Just to be able to give what I have to people who aren’t able to do it for themselves is what makes me do what I do.”