Why Choose Us?


Laris Milligan, DMD, MS

We want you to get to know the doctor a little bit before you stop in and see us.

Continuing advanced dental education is the hallmark of Dr. Milligan’s years of experience, starting with North Carolina Dental Society’s Fifth District Scholar Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in continuing education. In addition, Dr. Milligan has achieved over 500 hours with the Academy of General Dentistry because of his dedication to better patient care. Dr. Milligan has been recognized for achievement by the American Orthodontic Society for orthodontic continuing education, having completed over 350 credit hours.

Dr. Milligan has continued his credentials in post-graduate continuing education through the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP) and other programs in the areas of Pharmacology for Dentistry and Craniofacial Pain, combining TMJ and orthodontic treatment to correct TMJ problems.

Dr. Milligan studied at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Orofacial Pain (UMDNJ), and with the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP). Dr. Milligan subscribes to the principles of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP) by attending meetings and conferences such as those presented at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

These organizations consist of dentists and other allied health care professionals who are “dedicated to alleviating pain and suffering through the promotion and excellence in education, research and patient care in the field of oral pain, temporomandibular disorder and associated disorders.” Dr. Milligan has a Masters in Science Health Care, with a concentration in Biomechanical Trauma, where he was able to study and do research in orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.

Both as a clinician and a member of the International Clinical Prosthetic Association, Inc., and as a student of the Dawson Center for Advanced Dental Study, Dr. Milligan continued with the concept of Complete Dentistry, Total Reconstruction Diagnostics, and Treatment of Masticatory System Problems. This education blended with his post-doctoral studies in Maxilla-Tempomandibular dysfunctions, which started at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and continues to this day in the area of therapy for Intermediate to Advanced TMD.

Dr. Milligan studied at the College of Dental Medicine in the Medical University of South Carolina. His studies focused in the areas of Periodontics, Implants, Emergency Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, and Pediatric Dental Sedation. Dr. Milligan has continued his studies in the areas of non-surgical and surgical periodontics with Dr. S. N. Baskar, and has attended numerous workshops in the area of periodontics.

Dr. Milligan is authorized to administer moderate, limited conscious sedation on an outpatient basis as part of his dental practice in North Carolina. Dr. Milligan has studied with the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and with the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, continuing his dental education in the areas of pediatric sedation, orthodontics, periodontics, complete dentures, TMJ, and implants. Dr. Milligan has studied cosmetic dentistry at Emory University with the pioneers in the area of porcelain laminate veneers, Dr. Garber, Dr. Ronald Goldstein, and Dr. Ronald Freinman. Dr. Milligan also studed the latest updates in the fields of Cosmetic Dentistry with DenMat (Lumineers and cerinate).

Dr. Milligan has studied with Dr. Gordan J. Christinensen, DDS, PhD; together, they are clinical research associates in the areas of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Endodontics, Esthetic Dentistry, Implant Dentistry, Infection Control, Operative Dentistry, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Patient Education, Periodontics, Preventive Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and Dental Technology.

Dr. Milligan is or has been a member of the:

  • American Academy of General Dentistry (Fellowship Certificate)
  • American Orthodontic Society
  • American Academy of Head Facial and Neck Pain & TMJ Orthopedics
  • American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
  • Associate membership initiate for non-surgical advances in periodontics
  • American Dental Association
  • North Carolina Fifth Dental Society
  • Wilmington Tri-County Dental Society
  • Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation