Nora Barber, D.D.S.
Nora Barber, D.D.S.Dr. Nora Barber moved to North Carolina from Connecticut in 2001. She lives in Cary Park with her husband Ed and two children James and Claire.
Dr. Barber believes strongly in the preventative approach to dentistry, that every guest should have the opportunity to be well educated about his or her own dental health and also be given the resources to improve it. She has been to preschools and elementary schools to help educate young children about the importance of good oral health.
Dr. Barber loves getting to know all her guests and she treats them as if they were her family! When she is not practicing dentistry, she loves being with her own family enjoying the outdoors. A few activities they are passionate about are hiking, swimming and playing basketball.
An interesting fact that many people do not know about Dr. Barber is that she met her husband while playing together on the Boys basketball team at age 12, she was inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame and she played Division 1 Basketball for four years at Hofstra University.
Credentials:
- BA in Biology – Hofstra University LI, NY
- Teaching Certification – Southern Connecticut State University (Biology)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certified in Lumineers
- Certified in Invisalign
Professional Memberships:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Association of Women Dentists
- North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS)
Jonathan Puza, D.M.D.
Jonathan Puza, D.M.D.
Dr. Jonathan Puza was raised in Lexington, SC. He attended the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, prior to his dental studies at the James B Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Puza was recognized as the top clinical student in his class upon graduation.
Dr. Puza then commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army. He completed a 12 Month Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at Fort Jackson, SC, and was again recognized as the top of his class. He served four years in the Army between Fort Jackson and Fort Bragg, NC, before leaving the service with an honorable discharge. He continues to serve in the US Army Reserve.
Dr. Puza joined Triangle Family Dentistry in 2019 and now practices in the Cary Park and Pittsboro offices. He has worked hard to develop a comprehensive approach to patient care and incorporates advanced technologies whenever possible. He holds a particular interest in dental implants, full arch tooth replacement with dental implants, and sedation dentistry.
Dr. Puza and his wife Amber have a beautiful daughter, Margot, and 2 cats, Maple and Anna-Izzy. Dr. Puza mostly spends his free time chasing around his daughter but also tries to find time to go fly fishing when he can.
Dr. Anna Zhang, DDS
Dr. Anna Zhang, DDSDr. Anna Zhang is a proud North Carolina native, raised in Chapel Hill. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Salem College before graduating summa cum laude with honors from the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry. Following dental school, Dr. Zhang went on to pursue two years of additional training at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System where she completed a hospital residency focused in implantology, periodontics, prosthodontics and sedation dentistry. She was honored to serve as Chief Resident in her second year, and her time working with veterans remains a deeply rewarding experience.
Dr. Zhang brings her strong foundation in both general and specialized dentistry to Triangle Family Dentistry, where she is committed to providing exceptional care to her patients. She is particularly passionate about implant dentistry and understands the critical role that oral health plays in both systemic health and social well-being. She hopes to further expand her skills to include cosmetic dentistry, aiming to enhance both the health and confidence of those she treats.
Outside the dental practice, Dr. Zhang is a devoted artist and dancer. She has been a ballet dancer for over a decade, and has performed at numerous locations including with the Carolina Ballet. Although she took a break during dental school, she has recently returned to dance as a beloved hobby and a way to stay active. Her artistic talents also extend to playing the piano, painting, and animation, all of which bring a creative balance to her professional life.
Credentials:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) Biochemistry — Salem College
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) — University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry
- General Practice Residency (GPR) — Central Virginia VA Health Care System
Matthew Smith, D.D.S.
Matthew Smith, D.D.S.Dr. Smith is a North Carolina native, originally hailing from Greenville, NC. He attended East Carolina University for his undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry.
After working as a pediatric dental assistant for many years, Dr. Smith realized his dream of offering even more care for patients, and pursued his dental degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. After completing his dental degree, Dr. Smith has been practicing family dentistry in the Raleigh/Cary area for several years now.
Dr. Smith joined Triangle Family Dentistry in 2022, and focuses on general dentistry including restorative, removable prosthesis, crown and bridges in the practice. He loves being able to meet new patients and build relationship with them, while helping them find their smile!
When Dr. Smith is not in the office, he enjoys working out and spending time with his dog, Kobe. Dr. Smith is an avid traveler, having recently spent time hiking in Hawaii.
Credentials:
- BS in Biology and BA in Chemistry – East Carolina University
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certified in Invisalign
Professional Memberships:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS)
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
Laura DiRienzo, D.M.D.
Laura DiRienzo, D.M.D.Dr. Laura DiRienzo grew up in Niskayuna, NY. She attended the University of Rochester, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in molecular genetics prior to her dental studies at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA.
Dr. DiRienzo received the gold award for top overall scholastic achievement upon graduation and is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society.
Dr. DiRienzo joins Triangle Family Dentistry after completing her General Practice Residency at UNC Hospitals which had a focus in geriatric and special needs dentistry. Dr. DiRienzo enjoys working with patients of all backgrounds and creating individualized treatment plans that suit a patient’s goals and needs.
Dr. DiRienzo can be found hiking around the Triangle area and painting as often as she can.
Kiran Sainani, D.D.S.
Kiran Sainani, D.D.S.Dr. Sainani has been in the dental field for over 20 years and is extremely passionate about providing good, quality, and ethical care to her patients. She really enjoys taking continuing education classes as well as learning and staying current in the dental advances in the field. Even though she was born in Columbus, OH and lived in the Midwest for her childhood, Dr. Sainani happily calls NC her home. She obtained her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as her BS in Dental Hygiene and BA in Chemistry. She currently lives in Apex with her husband and two beautiful children.
Dr. Sainani practices with a conservative dental philosophy and advocates for prevention. She enjoys educating and collaborating with patients to establish the best dental plan for their individual needs. She loves seeing both children and adults and takes pride in high functional and esthetic standards. Dr. Sainani provides a wide array of dental services including cosmetic veneers, crown and bridge, tooth color and temporary restorations, partial and full dentures, night guards, Invisalign, TMJ, and appliances for sleep apnea. Outside of the office, Dr. Sainani enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Credentials:
- BA in Chemistry – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- BS in Dental Hygiene – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Mini Residency: Essentials
Professional Memberships:
