Ryan Cook DDS MS is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina where he graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California. Upon the completion of dental school, he was trained at the University of Texas Health Science Center- San Antonio in a dual residency program in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. During his residency he completed his Master of Science exploring the topic of Periodontal Phenotype/Biotype and Labial Plate Thickness. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Fellow of the International Team for Implantology. After maintaining a full-time practice in Laguna Niguel, California he entered academia where he is currently the Director of the Advanced Education in Prosthodontics, Director of the Advanced Education in Periodontology and a Stallings Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry.