About Our Doctors
Meet The Faculty At UNLV
While our dedicated team of highly trained residents carries out treatment, our panel of board-certified orthodontists continually monitors and reviews every case. Get to know the faculty of doctors at UNLV and schedule a free consultation with us today!
Brian Chrzan
Bio and photo coming soon
Dr. Tanya Al-Talib
Dr. Tanya Al-Talib is an Associate Professor in Orthodontics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her academic appointments began at the University of Nevada School of Dental medicine as an Assistant Professor in Residence- Clinical Sciences in 2006 and rejoined UNLV SDM as an Assistant Professor in Residence- Orthodontics in 2015. Her research is focused on sleep-disordered breathing in both pediatric and adult patients. She has also been involved conducting research with residents and dental students to identify patients with sleep apnea as well as the development and implementation of different screening tools for sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness at UNLV- SDM. She is the recipient of the American Association of Orthodontist Foundation Award for one of her research projects evaluating the airway in different patient populations.
Dr. Al-Talib obtained a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree and a certificate of Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. In addition to graduating first in her class, she received:
- Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Dentistry Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Student
- The American Association of Orthodontists Award for Exceptional Interest in the Development of the Oro-Facial Complex
- American Academy of Orofacial Pain award for excellence in the classification, assessment, and management of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain
- Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics for the Excellence in Prosthodontics
- Louisiana Academy of General Dentistry Award for Outstanding Achievement in General Dentistry
- The Prestigious Kramer Award—Omicron Kappa Epsilon (as a third-year dental student)
Dr. Al-Talib practiced general dentistry for four years and then joined the faculty ranks at UNLV School of Dental Medicine where she taught for six years. Dr. Al-Talib completed her orthodontic residency and earned a Certificate and Master of Science in Orthodontics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill which is one of the most esteemed orthodontic programs in the nation. While at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, her research interest was in Sleep-disordered breathing in children and her work there was published in the Journal of Dentistry for Children. Dr. Al-Talib is Laser certified and therefore supervises orthodontic residents in performing laser procedures. Dr. Al-Talib is a Board Certified Orthodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Dr. David D. Chung, DDS, MS
Dr. David D. Chung, a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, joined UNLV School of Dental Medicine in the summer of 2024 as a professor-in-residence of Orthodontics. His teaching responsibilities include research methods to the first-year orthodontic and pediatric residents and craniofacial orthodontics to the second-year orthodontic residents.
Prior to UNLV, Dr. Chung served as program director of Orthodontics at Maimonides Medical Center in New York for 20 years. In that institution, he taught didactic and clinical orthodontics, guided research for residents, created and actively engaged in the orthognathic surgery and cleft lip and palate conferences with multi-disciplinary team members.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in chemistry from University of California at Davis, and Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Columbia University. He obtained his Certificate of Specialization in Orthodontics from Eastman Institute of Oral Health at University of Rochester and Master of Science degree in biochemistry from University of Rochester.
At UNLV School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Chung plans to conduct biochemical research on the signal modulation of mechanosensitive receptors in cells of the cartilage and bone. He is a reviewer of for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and the Angle Orthodontist.
Dr. Charles Hill
Dr. Charles Hill attended college at Arizona State University. He went on to earn his dental degree from Southern Illinois University. After several years in private practice in Arizona, he moved to Las Vegas and taught dentistry at UNLV. He earned a Master of Public Health degree and completed his specialty training in Orthodontics at UNLV. He currently teaches orthodontics at UNLV and is engaged in private practice.
Dr. Walter Babula
Dr. Walter Babula was born in the northeastern Pennsylvania coal country. He attended Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he was a Dean's List student and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He was confirmed a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree with summa cum laude honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. In addition to graduating first in his class, he was awarded the Senior Achievement Award for his excellence in restorative dentistry and fixed prosthetic dentistry. Dr. Babula completed a National Institute of Dental Research Traineeship in Speech Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Babula completed his orthodontic residency at the University of North Carolina, one of the most prestigious orthodontic programs in the country. There, he received a Master of Science in Orthodontics. While at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Babula's research was in the area of facial growth, and it was subsequently published in the American Journal of Orthodontics. Dr. Babula arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970 and was stationed at Bassett Army Hospital as Ft. Wainwright's first full-time orthodontist. He entered private practice in Fairbanks in 1972 where he continues to practice on a part-time basis. He is a board certified orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Babula decided to share his orthodontic experience with the future generations of orthodontists by joining the faculty at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2006. He is a part-time faculty member in the UNLV School of Dental Medicine Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Residency, where he both lectures and clinically supervises the residents in our orthodontic clinic.
Dr. Babula is an avid Alaska outdoors enthusiast, and he enjoys activities including hunting, fishing, golfing, cross-country skiing and gardening. Dr. Babula and his wife, Marita, have made possible the creation of the Babula's Children's Garden as an extension of the Georgeson Botanical Gardens on the Fairbanks campus of the University of Alaska.
Dr. James Mah, DDS, MSc, DMSc
Dean and Professor Dr. James Mah joined UNLV School of Dental Medicine in July 2005 and teaches biomechanics, radiology, introduction to research, advanced biomedical sciences, craniofacial growth & development, and practice management within the orthodontic residency program.
Dr. Mah's research focuses on orthodontic aligners, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and use of botulinum toxin for bruxism.
He earned his Bachelor of Science, Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and Master of Science degrees as well as his Certificate of Specialization in Orthodontics from the University of Alberta; and his Doctorate of Medical Science degree from Harvard University.
Dr. Mah is an associate editor of the Journal of Aligner Orthodontics and a reviewer for the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, and the Angle Orthodontist.
Dr. Pouya Momtaz, DMD, MS
Bio coming soon.
Dr. Nadim Guirguis, DMD, MSD
Dr. Nadim Guirguis is originally from Egypt but grew up in Las Vegas, NV. He first became interested in the field of Dentistry when he was in college and went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Guirguis then went on to complete his specialty orthodontic training at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, earning a Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry.
Dr. Guirguis is the owner and orthodontist at Mountain View Orthodontics in Las Vegas, where he helps his patients achieve their perfect smiles. Dr. Guirguis focuses on technology and innovation, coupled with a high level of customer service to help give his patients a great experience.
Dr. Guirguis is married to his dental school sweetheart, Dr. Megan Tufteland. They have 2 wonderful kids, Greyson and Madeline. When not practicing orthodontics, Dr. Guirguis enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with his family.
Dr. Freddie Martinez, DDS, MS
Bio coming soon.
Dr. Melissa D. Shotell, DMD, MS
Dr. Melissa Shotell is a Board Certified Orthodontist and practices in a multi-specialty practice in California, focusing on the interplay of orthodontics and restorative treatment. After completing dental school Dr. Shotell practiced as a restorative dentist for several years, then returned to school to complete a certificate and master's degree in orthodontics from Loma Linda University. Dr. Shotell considers education to be her passion, and presents nationally and internationally on dental technology. She is also part-time clinical faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas orthodontics department, and teaches in the CE department for the University of Alberta. Dr. Shotell is also a reviewer for the Journal of Aligner Orthodontics. Dr. Shotell shares tips and tricks on orthodontics and clear aligners on social media as alignerbee.
Dr. Randy Kunik
Dr. Kunik attended the University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate and graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After obtaining his postdoctoral certificate specializing in orthodontics, he started Kunik Orthodontics in Austin, Texas.
As a leader in aligner treatment, Dr. Kunik's expertise in the field allows him to treat standard cases as well as complex cases. Dr. Randy Kunik has four offices in Austin, TX and started practicing orthodontics in 1991. He has over 20 years of aligner experience and 4000+ cases evolving strategies and systems to minimize the needs for attachments.
In 2014, Dr. Kunik started lecturing at UNLV in addition to starting Kunik Labs, an aligner consulting lab service for general dentists.