The color pallet began with Dr. Adam's favorite colors of teal & green. The team determined an aquarium would add interest and ease patient anxiety, when viewed from both waiting/check-in and records room. Touches of sunny yellows on upholstered benches adds warmth and balances the cool blue hues in Ortho Bay. Dr. Daniels wanted a fresh, new office that represented his personality. He also had the need for computerized charting at every station. Dark brown operatory upholstery was selected, as it would not show scuffs. Also, it worked well with the existing perimeter wood and door trim which was a dark finish. To add a high tech vibe, a sliding industrial stainless steel hinged lab door was chosen to lead into the orthodontic lab. A key requirement of the Dr. was ease of cleaning and low maintenance for all new finishes in the Orthodontic lab. FX Design specified and tested all materials. The elliptical aquarium mirrors the oval flow of the entire office. The aquatic life has a calming effect on patients prior to their procedures. Having the separated X-ray and Records Room increases productivity. Notice the green and teal hues incorporated into compressed glass sidelights at the entry and consult room. Combining natural earth tones, high tech elements, and vivid colors creates a fun, cool environment.   Connecticut Valley Orthodontics "I love the new office, which combines many fun & unique touches, yet is a highly productive orthodontist practice. The elliptical flow of the new office layout, combined with the separated PAN-CEPH and Records Room increased productivity."     - Dr. Adam S. Daniels DDS, MS Creating a peaceful comfortable orthodontic practice for both young and young at heart. Reducing patient anxiety with a well-planned interior environment Doctor Adam Daniels, DDS, MS owner of Connecticut Valley Orthodontics wanted a fresh, new office that represented his personality. He knew he did not want his practice to look like a typical medical/dental office upon first glance. Adam was also at a point where he needed to computerize charting at every station. In addition, his work flow was getting bogged down because his X-Ray room and records room was combined, splitting the room would allow for simultaneous procedures to increase productivity. Dr. Daniels was seeking a Design Build team that would create and build an inviting, new, highly productive operation, while bringing the outdoor environment inside for his thriving Orthodontic practice. Dr. Daniels felt a connection with Laura Bordeaux of FX Dental Design who understood his objectives. That was to create a comfortable patient experience in which family members could see anywhere in his office. Dr. Daniels knew that if all lines of sight where open, then patients and their family members could relax knowing they were well cared for. The design pallet began with the dentist’s favorite colors, combining bright greens and dark teal, reflected in the Connecticut Valley Orthodontic’s logo. Dr. Daniels also liked the idea of dark brown operatory upholstery, as it would not show scuffs. In addition, all his existing perimeter wood and door trim was a dark finish which Adam wanted to incorporate into the new design. With these requirements in mind, Laura from FX Dental Design presented Dr. Daniels with the concept that, using brown earth tones and textures for all floors, cabinet faces, and most counters and operatory chairs would anchor the space. Green and teal hues were applied to the primary walls, as well as, incorporated into unique compressed glass sidelights at the entry and consult room. Laura included touches of sunny yellows on textiles for the ortho bay’s upholstered benches, which added warmth and balanced the cool blue hues. Adam requested Laura include additional color choices for his offices. They selected a warm orange and playful purple hue as the secondary color pallet for accent walls and additional seating. Another key requirement Adam introduced was ease of cleaning and low maintenance for all new finishes. Laura’s team, along with Dr. Daniels’ staff, tested many materials. They went as far as using dental / lab tools to try to scratch & gouge solid surface products to obtain results. The realization was that the lighter the Corian material, the less visible the scratches were. This prompted the design team to specify and install “Antarctica” Corian for the lab counters only. During the program fact-finding phase, Laura tossed out the idea of adding a water feature for a calming element. Dr. Daniels took that idea and ratcheted it up by requesting a salt-water aquarium. The team determined the aquarium should be cylindrical, centrally located and viewed from two sides, both from the waiting/check-in area and inside the records room. The elliptical aquarium shape also mirrors the oval flow of the entire office. Dr. Daniels loves the calming effect the aquatic life has on patients prior to their procedures. This is especially evident in the records room while taking impressions. This procedure can be stressful and an unpleasant experience to many. However, when patients become mesmerized to the swaying soft corals and colorful fish darting about the aquarium, their anxieties and nerves melt away. When patients and their family members enter the space, sophistication comes to mind, combining natural earth tones with high tech elements such as a stainless steel hinged lab door. On the other hand, the colorful walls scream this is a fun, cool environment. Dr. Daniels commented that he loves his new office, which combines many unique touches to his highly productive orthodontist practice. The elliptical flow of the new office layout combined with the separated x-ray and records room increased productivity. But hands down, Adam observed that the aquarium is the piece de la resistance.