Payam Ataii, DMD, MBA
Senior Vice President of Orthodontic Support & Head of Clinical Innovation
Shaping what’s next in clear aligner care
Dr. Ataii is a nationally recognized, award-winning clinical leader in clear aligner therapy — who helps lead innovation, education and orthodontic care across Aspen Dental practices nationwide. With more than 28 years of experience, he brings a precise, patient-first approach to every aligner and every treatment.
Areas of expertise & clinical focus:
Orthodontic treatment expertise
Digital innovation & integration
Interdisciplinary & collaborative care
Education
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
University of Southern California
Featured in
Dr. Ataii has contributed to conversations around clear aligner therapy, digital orthodontics and modern patient care through interviews, publications and national media appearances.
Dr. Ataii
After 27 years in private practice, Dr. Ataii found what he'd been looking for at Aspen Dental. In this video, he shares his unexpected path to the profession, his passion for smile transformations, and why Aspen's “yes” mentality represents a new era of patient care.
Watch Dr. Ataii's story.
Professional recognition
American Dental Association Oral Sleep Medicine: Keynote speaker and founder recognized for leadership in oral sleep medicine.
Aspen Dental leadership award: Honored for leadership and impact within Aspen Dental.
Ormco, Envista Corporation: Recognized among the top 1% of general practitioners for aligner treatments in the U.S. and Canada.
Shofu Corporation USA Japan: Honored for excellence in dental education and international speaking.
Align Technology™: Initial faculty member and winner of multiple educator and outstanding performance awards.
Continuing education
Advancing care through education and innovation
Dr. Ataii remains actively engaged in clinical education, orthodontic innovation and digital workflow advancement, helping support continued growth for providers across Aspen Dental practices.
More about Dr. Ataii
Dr. Ataii joined Aspen Dental in 2022.
Dr. Ataii recommends Aspen Dental for its modern approach to care, strong clinical systems and consistent patient experience across the network. He also values the way Aspen Dental brings advanced technology and innovation to care at scale, including solutions like Motto clear aligners.
Dr. Ataii believes Aspen Dental stands out for its strong culture of support and its commitment to helping both patients and doctors succeed.
Dr. Ataii is a general dentist with a focus on clear aligner orthodontics, sleep apnea training and clinical innovation.
Dr. Ataii does not actively see patients in a traditional practice setting. In his current role, he supports doctors and hygienists across the network, helping strengthen clinical confidence, consistency and chairside clear aligner care.
In his spare time, Dr. Ataii enjoys dentistry and golf.
Dr. Ataii helps support clear aligner and orthodontic innovation across Aspen Dental’s network of more than 1,100 offices. His role includes clinical guidance, workflow support and helping teams deliver consistent, patient-centered care.