“A forward-looking new practice with deep roots in the community”

Bryan says the same day crown is one example of the benefits patients get from the new technology. Traditionally, dentists prepare the tooth for a crown, then take a messy impression that gets mailed to the lab. The patient leaves with a temporary tooth and comes back for a second visit for the permanent crown. Not with McKinney • Graham. “With the CEREC technology, we can prepare the tooth, do a digital scan, and mill the crown all in the same appointment right here in our office,” said Bryan. “It saves a lot of time for our patients, and they get a very predictable outcome when it goes straight from the computer to the mouth. The materials that we use are strong and very esthetic.”

“Similarly with implants, 3-D imaging software streamlines the process for doctor and patient,” Kyle said. “Using 3-D planning we can virtually place a dental implant prior to the date of the patient’s surgery. We use that technology to create a custom implant guide that then allows us to precisely place the implant where we have planned it in the software. While some patients are anxious about the procedure,” he said, “with the 3-D planning, they end up pleasantly surprised with how little stress and time is involved.”

Another advantage of the 3-D X-rays is early detection and diagnosis of underly- ing issues that might otherwise pass un- noticed. “There could be a tooth in the early stages of an abscess that the patient isn’t aware of,” Kyle said. “But we can isolate that on our 3-D X-ray before it’s an emergency and get treatment started.”

In addition to Bryan and Kyle, dentists at the practice include Dr. MacKenzie LeCroy who had joined Bryan’s practice in 2020 and Dr. George Clay who continues to see patients a few days a week. Dr. Lena Eldridge, whose practice Kyle had purchased, has regular hours every other Friday, and she also fills in. Dr. Gunter still sees patients occasionally. With that deep bench, the practice is able to have extended hours and is regularly open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

McKinney • Graham Dental Arts has adopted the very Hickory motto of “Smiles well crafted.” Although Kyle is from Greensboro, and Bryan grew up in Asheville, both moved here for family reasons and are well established in the city. “Both our practices have deep Hickory roots,” said Bryan. “My father-in-law, Coke Gunter started his practice in 1974 and gained a reputation as an excellent dentist and even better person. Lena Eldridge began practicing dentistry in 1982, and was known for excellent care and the way she treated patients. Kyle and I are lucky to continue their legacy.”

Kyle’s wife, Caroline, grew up in Hickory, the daughter and granddaughter of local physicians. Her father, Dr. Ben Goodman, is a physician here, and his father, also Benjamin Goodman, was a family doctor in the area and team physician for all of Lenoir-Rhyne’s sports teams for many years.

“A lot of patients I have now were actually either seen by my grand- father-in-law or my father-in-law,” said Kyle. “Our twins were born in 2014, and wanting to raise our family in Hickory where Caroline grew up sparked our move in 2015. We both love the area and the thought that she could raise our kids with her parents nearby was always really attractive.” The couple has four children: twins Harper and Connor, Sawyer, age five, and two-year-old Hunter. The family are members of First Presbyterian Church, where Kyle serves on the preschool board. Caroline is active in the Service League of Hickory.

Bryan came to Hickory in 2007 to join his father-in-law’s practice. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a 21-year- old son at Chapel Hill and a 16-year- old daughter at Hickory High School. Bryan grew up in Asheville and went to Chapel Hill for his undergraduate degree and dental school. There was a substantial gap between those years at UNC, because he first graduated from Vanderbilt Law School and practiced law in Raleigh for five years. “Then he saw the light,” Kyle jokes, noting that the legal detour did make Bryan a “very smart guy who is great to partner with because he loves reading legal documents that I don’t even want to try to understand.” Bryan has served with various community organizations and is currently chair- person of the Board of Education for Hickory Public Schools.

An addition to the doctors, there are lots of other smiling faces at McKinney • Graham. “We have a tremendous team surrounding us, some of whom have been with our offices for over 40 years,” said Bryan. The partners have put a lot of effort into creating a vibrant office culture, and bringing the earlier practices together as one team. Kyle said, “Our practice culture and our team, who love work- ing together, has been important to both of our practices. We believe in taking care of the team and treating them well. In dentistry, we literally work shoulder to shoulder, and we’re only as good as the collective whole.” Even before setting up the new office, they organized many social events and outings for team members. Kyle and Bryan believe that creating a strong family feeling for the practice helps everyone provide the best possible care for patients. They look forward to greeting new and familiar faces at McKinney • Graham and helping all with…Smiles well crafted.