Meet the Team

Get to know your dental team in Meridian, ID.

Your Partners at Restoration Dentistry

Click on our images to read our bios

Craig

Dentist/Owner

Dr. Clayton grew up in Southern California in a family of six kids. From a young age, he developed a love for the mountains, desert, and wide open spaces. He has always loved riding his bike, cooking new recipes, and playing music.

Our dentist always knew he wanted to work with his hands, and at Restoration Dentistry, he does exactly that. Dr. Clayton combines the art of dentistry with his expertise to heal and restore each day.

One of his favorite parts of the day is getting to know patients like you and hearing your story, passions, hobbies, and creating long-lasting friendships.

Eliza

Marketing/Owner

Eliza grew up in Boise and was elated to return here to raise her family. She loves connecting with people in our community and helping them find hope in a different kind of dental experience here at Restoration Dentistry. The best part of her job is getting to make so many new friends while educating them about our dental services.

Our marketing director, Eliza, is Dr. Clayton’s wife and they have two boys ages 3 and 5. Together, they enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and playing on the river. A fun fact? She loves connecting with other women and supporting them, and would love to become a birth doula one day.

Tessa

Office Manager

Tessa was born in Texas but has spent most of her life in northern Utah and the Treasure Valley. She’s married with two kids who are actively involved in sports, which means she often finds herself attending practices and games. When she’s not cheering them on, Tessa enjoys playing cozy games on her Nintendo Switch, pampering herself by doing her own nails, and decorating beautiful cakes.

As the office manager at Restoration Dentistry, Tessa loves connecting with patients and ensuring they feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door. She’s passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives and takes great joy in helping them achieve their wellness goals.

Sammie

Dental Hygienist

Sammie Nicolello grew up in the beautiful wilderness of Alaska, where she met her husband, Tim. They ventured to Idaho to pursue their studies at the University of Idaho, where Sammie completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Driven by her passion for transforming and enhancing lives, she decided to continue her education at Idaho State University, earning a second Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Sammie’s dedication to her patients goes beyond traditional dental care, as she is also trained as a myofunctional therapist.

As a dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, Sammie finds great joy in cheering on her patients, educating them, and providing comprehensive oral health care. Her optimistic and passionate personality adds tremendous value to the office, as she is committed to delivering the best care and education to every patient she encounters. Outside of work, Sammie’s greatest joy comes from being a supportive mother to her two children. You can find her enthusiastically cheering them on during their t-ball games, gymnastics classes, and flag football matches. In her spare time, she endeavors to nurture her green thumb through gardening and is also learning the art of playing golf. One item on Sammie’s bucket list is to travel to Italy with her husband, immersing themselves in the country’s rich culture and experiences.

Lecia

Dental Hygienist

Lecia has spent her entire life in Idaho, growing up in the charming town of Shelley. From a young age, she thrived in dance and cheer, where she developed a love for being part of a team. Today, Lecia enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband and two beloved Schnauzers, Marley and Lily. Together, they cherish outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, camping, and anything that brings them close to lakes and the calming presence of water.

Lecia pursued her passion for healthcare by earning a degree in hygiene from Carrington College and has been a dedicated hygienist for over 13 years. With a strong love for science and education, she finds great joy in helping her patients understand the importance of oral care and the “why” behind it. Constantly researching and exploring the latest treatments, Lecia is committed to providing her patients with the best care to help them achieve overall wellness.

Paytyn

Dental Assistant

Paytyn is a proud Idaho native, born and raised in the scenic Treasure Valley. Throughout her life, she’s embraced the area’s natural beauty, enjoying activities like hiking and snowboarding. Paytyn has also had the opportunity to live in Delaware and Hawaii for two years each, where she pursued further education and broadened her horizons.

Her journey into the dental field began during her time in Hawaii, where she worked as a pediatric dental assistant for two years. After returning to the Treasure Valley, Paytyn joined the team at Restoration Dentistry. What she loves most about dentistry is educating patients on the importance of oral health and witnessing the boost in their confidence as they take charge of their overall wellness.

Katie

Marketing

Katie was born and raised in Idaho, growing up only a few minutes away from Restoration Dentistry. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boise State UniversityOpen website (open in new window) and joined the marketing team at Restoration Dentistry because she truly believes in Dr. Clayton’s mission.

In her free time, Katie loves anything outdoors-related, especially during the summer, spending as much time as possible on the lake and river, swimming, boating, or kayaking. During the winter, she stays busy with her family at various Boise State sporting events. Katie’s married and has three children, and she’s semi-fluent in American Sign Language.

Chelsi

Dental Assistant

Chelsi is an Idaho native who has spent her life embracing the great outdoors with her family. She’s married with two kids who keep her on her toes—her daughter is a passionate cheerleader, and her son always brings plenty of energy to the mix. When she’s not cheering on her kids, Chelsi is either at the gym, preparing for bodybuilding competitions, or at one of the two tattoo parlors she co-owns in town.

With over 10 years of experience in dental care, Chelsi has developed a deep passion for patient care. She is dedicated to making every patient feel welcome and valued. One of her greatest joys is seeing the transformation in her patients’ smiles and the excitement they feel after their teeth are restored and all discomfort is gone.

Maria

Personal Assistant to Dr. Clayton

Maria grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. She, her husband, son, and beagle wanted to venture to the west and moved to Idaho when her husband accepted a job in Boise. Since Maria and her family made the move over seven years ago, they have fallen in love with the Boise way of life and all of the wilderness to play in.

As Dr. Clayton’s personal assistant, Maria contributes to keeping everything on track. Maria connected right away with the caring and diligent atmosphere of everyone at the office.

While Maria has many things on her bucket list, one important one is that she’d love to travel to every country her ancestors came from, including Mexico, Lebanon, and Ireland. So far, she had gone to Mexico and hopes to travel to Lebanon and Ireland someday.

Makenna

Front Office Coordinator

Makenna has spent much of her life between Idaho and Arizona, both states offering stunning landscapes that have fueled her love for photography. Whether hiking, fishing, or camping, Makenna embraces every opportunity to capture the natural beauty around her through her lens.

Currently, she’s pursuing a degree in criminal justice with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Makenna’s passion for healthcare stems from her enjoyment of meeting and caring for diverse individuals. Building relationships and helping others achieve optimal health is something she truly values, and she’s excited to bring this same compassion and dedication to her future legal career.

Patient Stories
‘‘Wow, what an incredible dental experience! Dr. Clayton is so thoughtful and thorough. He takes his time, and I never felt rushed; he addressed all my concerns. The staff is so friendly and makes you feel right at home. His technology is cutting edge, far and above what most dentists are using. I’m SO glad I found them, and I’m excited to feel confident in my new dental home. 10/10, recommend.’’

- Brenna C.

‘‘Dr. Clayton and his team are always so friendly, thorough, and kind. They have a lot of accommodations to make your visit comfortable and are very in-depth to make sure all aspects of your health are great. I love the family feel you get with the conversations.’’

- Peyton L.

Your Better Dental Experience Starts Here

Dr. Clayton and Monica talking with a patient

At Restoration Dentistry in Meridian, ID, we’re here to help keep you smiling! Whether you have dental anxiety, are overdue for a visit, or feel overwhelmed by your options, our team is here to create a comfortable and stress-free experience.

  • Step 1: Ease Your Mind
    First, our team will get to know you in a calming, safe space. You can sit back and relax in our modern office that feels more like a spa.
  • Step 2: Let’s Work Together
    Next, we’ll discuss your oral and overall health and find the best way to optimize it in a judgment-free way. Then, our team will help you build an anxiety-management plan that you feel good about.
  • Step 3: Keep Smiling
    A healthy, beautiful smile promotes better well-being. Turn to us for all of your dental care needs using less invasive, nature-driven dentistry. Our team will be there for you every step of the way.
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