Meet our Doctor
Dr. Nikia Burns, DMD, MS
“As a native of Southwestern Pennsylvania, specifically Greene County, I am so happy to share my passion for what I do. When a patient feels good about their smile, they feel more confident about themselves. I truly enjoy helping patients achieve good oral health and a beautiful smile!
My journey to becoming an orthodontist began as a patient myself. I really never hated my smile but after the transformation occurred, I could not believe how much of a change actually took place. To this day, it was hand down one of the best decisions I ever made.
I attended Pennsylvania State University where I received my bachelor’s degree in Pre Medicine. I then went to obtain my DMD degree at Nova Southeastern School of Dental Medicine where I graduated at the top of my class. Lastly, I pursued my specialty training at West Virginia University where I earned my Masters Degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of helping thousands of patients of all ages achieve their best smile.
I currently reside in Canonsburg with my husband, Nate, and two amazing boys, Hayden and Ryder! Any free time I have is spent with my family. We love to travel! Teaching our sons about the different cultures of the world is our family’s greatest adventure. We also love to sample the diverse foods these areas have to offer. Eating is our favorite!!”
As a medical specialist, Dr. Burns has completed the medical residency credentials to be called an orthodontist. She is a specialist in straightening teeth and ensuring optimal jaw performance. An orthodontist has 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school and is a specialist at straightening teeth and insuring proper form and function.
Education:
Penn State University
Nova Southeastern School of Dental Medicine
West Virginia University
Organizations and Professional Associations:
Experienced and Gentle
Our Fantastic Staff
Brandi
Orthodontic Assistant
I have been working with Dr. Burns since 2007. I am a Trinity School District graduate, GO HILLERS!! I attended Robert Morris University and played collegiate volleyball all four years. I have been married to my husband, Justin, since 2012! We have an amazing daughter, Mya and two pups, Remington and Milo. We love any outdoor activity; quads, parks, lying on a sandy beach, you name it! We love it! My latest obsession is browsing through Kirkland’s searching for farmhouse décor with Joanna Gaines as my inspiration. If I had to pick any snack in the world, it would be chocolate covered oreo’s…hint hint. Over the years I have been with this practice, I cannot thank the patients and parents enough for the wonderful bonds we have formed and lifelong friendships that have been created.
Nikki
Orthodontic Assistant
Before I worked in this office, I was a patient here!! I worked with Dr. McFarland before he retired from the practice. Burns Orthodontics has been a part of my life since 1980! I have a remarkable husband, Chris, who is my High School Sweetheart!! We have two kids, Christopher and Nina. We have a precious little pup named Ona. You’ll find me by our pool during the summer with all of our closest friends and family! Watching patient’s transformations has been such a joy over the years!
Ayrel
Orthodontic Assistant
I am an Orthodontic Technician. I have been working for Dr. Burns since I was 17!! I married the love of my life in 2016 and we have two adorable babies, Lincoln and Lainey. I love spending all of my free time with my family! They are my everything. We enjoy long romantic walks through Target to peruse the clearance aisles with large extra sweet iced coffees in each hand. I love the bonds I have created with our patients. They are the reason I go to work everyday with a smile on my face!
Alexis
Office Coordinator
Hi, My name is Alexis and I recently joined the Burns Orthodontics team! I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Radford University with a Marketing degree in 2013. I moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2014 and met my husband, Zach. We added two adorable puppies to the family, Mocha and Leo. When I’m not working, you can find me at Target, strolling every aisle, or finding projects to work on around the house. I am very excited to be a part of the Burns Orthodontics team and can’t wait to take part in transforming patients’ smiles!
Cierra
Orthodontics Assistant
I’m Cierra and I recently started with Burns Orthodontics in February 2022. I’m from Claysville, but a Florida child at heart. When I am not at work I enjoy traveling, shopping, and of course napping. Some other hobbies of mine include hunting, riding, and anything outdoors. I have my Bachelors in Dental Hygiene and an Associates in Science from West Liberty University. I am also an alumnus from Alpha Xi Delta national fraternity, which I was a part of all 4 years of college. My love of Starbucks is dangerous, so if anyone would like to drop off a Venti iced white mocha with sweet cream foam and extra caramel drizzle to Burns Orthodontics, I won’t say no. I’m excited to be a part of the Burns Orthodontics team and bring beautiful smiles to everyone’s face.
Kaylin
Office Coordinator
Hi! My name is Kaylin and I am originally from Punxsutawney, PA! I moved to Washington, PA in 2019 and joined Dr. Burns team in May of 2021 as an Orthodontic Assistant and am now an Office Coordinator as of October 2022. I have two dogs that I am obsessed with – Max and Milo. I have a very bubbly personality so you can always find me giggling or joking around with the girls. I love being able to work hands on with the patients and see their happiness and confidence grow throughout their braces process. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow here at Burns Orthodontics and help people be the most confident version of themselves!
Dany
Orthodontic Assistant
Hi, My name is Dany and I recently joined the Burns Orthodontics team! I’m originally from Mexico, where I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from UANL. A few years after graduating, I ended up marrying the love of my life, who happed to be a now ARMY veteran, living in a whole different country! We have been married since 2018 and have moved from one corner of the country to the other, including, Texas, Colorado and now Pennsylvania. We are adventurous souls in company of a wonderful Garfield look alike orange cat named Fish! Long story short, he is the most spoiled and perfect cat you could ever meet. My main indulgence is that I have and will use anything as a good excuse to eat out, because I am that friend who will support and probably encourage any and all snacks and cravings. I am incredibly thrilled to be part of the Burns Orthodontics team. Dentistry is all I know as a profession and I can’t imagine my life without it! I love a good smile transformation and I’m happy to be able to be part of it.
Jerilyn
Orthodontic Assistant
Hello! My name is Jerilyn and I am from Follansbee, WV. I received my Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Biology from West Liberty University in 2020. I joined the Burns Orthodontics team in June of 2021 as an Orthodontic Assistant. I love meeting new people and being able to help transform their smile at the same time, alongside Dr. Burns. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, friends, and animals. I have four Labrador Retrievers – Luka, Greysen, Bentley, and Jake. I grew up playing softball, one of my biggest passions, and spent a lot of time hunting and riding quads with my family. These are still some of my favorite memories and I do them as much as I can to this day. I can’t wait to see all of the new smiling faces as I continue to grow with Burns Orthodontics!
Alexis
Office Coordinator
Hi, My name is Alexis and I recently joined the Burns Orthodontics team! I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Radford University with a Marketing degree in 2013. I moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2014 and met my husband, Zach. We added two adorable puppies to the family, Mocha and Leo. When I’m not working, you can find me at Target, strolling every aisle, or finding projects to work on around the house. I am very excited to be a part of the Burns Orthodontics team and can’t wait to take part in transforming patients’ smiles!
Amanda
Office Coordinator
Hello, my name is Amanda! I recently started working for Dr. Burns in June of 2021. I graduated from Penn Commercial School of Business in 2008 with a Cosmetology degree and graduated from Ashworth College in 2018. I’m married and have two amazing kids, Trista and Landen as well as my fur babies, Boomer and Daxton. In my free time, I enjoy doing hair, running my kids around to all of their sporting activities, and playing with my dogs. I already love working for Burns Orthodontics and can’t wait to continue to grow here!
Jenn
Orthodontic Assistant
Hi! My name is Jenn and I am from Norfolk, VA. I moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2018 after moving all around the East coast. My boyfriend and I are expecting our first bundle of joy in February of 2022 and we can’t wait to expand our family. I began working for Dr. Burns about a year ago and have loved every second of it. Some of my hobbies include singing karaoke at the top of my lungs and staying up to date with current aesthetic trends. I am able to pursue this by assisting Dr. Burns with Botox and Filler. I can’t wait to continue developing my orthodontic and facial aesthetic skills under Dr. Burns as well as spending every day with a fabulous work family!
Kaylin
Orthodontic Assistant
Hi! My name is Kaylin and I am originally from Punxsutawney, PA! I moved to Washington, PA in 2019 and joined Dr. Burns team in May of 2021 as an Orthodontic Assistant. I have two dogs that I am obsessed with – Max and Milo. I have a very bubbly personality so you can always find me giggling or joking around with the girls. I love being able to work hands on with the patients and see their happiness and confidence grow throughout their braces process. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow here at Burns Orthodontics and help people be the most confident version of themselves!
Jenn
Orthodontic Assistant
Hi! My name is Jenn and I am from Norfolk, VA. I moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2018 after moving all around the East coast. My boyfriend and I are expecting our first bundle of joy in February of 2022 and we can’t wait to expand our family. I began working for Dr. Burns about a year ago and have loved every second of it. Some of my hobbies include singing karaoke at the top of my lungs and staying up to date with current aesthetic trends. I am able to pursue this by assisting Dr. Burns with Botox and Filler. I can’t wait to continue developing my orthodontic and facial aesthetic skills under Dr. Burns as well as spending every day with a fabulous work family!
