Dr Olivia Nillissen

“Are you always this smiley?” is a question Dr. Olivia Nillissen has been asked throughout her life. Growing up in a small rural town in Wisconsin as the daughter of a dentist and a hygienist, she learned early on how powerful a smile can be. After chipping her own tooth in a childhood game of tag, she realized firsthand how much a smile — and a dentist — can impact someone’s confidence. That experience inspired her to pursue dentistry, where she now finds joy in creating healthy, lasting smiles for her patients. Dr. Nillissen earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with distinction from Duke University before completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with highest honors and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. After dental school, Dr. Nillissen was accepted into the prestigious two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she served as Chief Resident. There, she gained extensive experience in implant surgery and restoration, full mouth rehabilitation, IV conscious sedation, tissue grafting, esthetic dentistry, and complex surgical procedures. She developed immense implant experience, including advanced procedures such as All-on-X and hybrid surgeries with their associated restorations. Her excellence was recognized with awards for leadership, teamwork, sedation, and periodontics. Beyond her technical expertise, Dr. Nillissen is passionate about building strong relationships with her patients and caring for them as whole people, not just their teeth. She takes pride in creating a welcoming, supportive environment where patients feel understood and confident in their care. Dedicated to service, Dr. Nillissen has volunteered in community outreach programs and continues to mentor dental students and colleagues. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the Christian Medical and Dental Association.