Best New Business 2008: Woolaver Clearsmiles

Step into Clearsmiles for the first time and you might think you made a wrong turn and ended up at the local sports lounge.

Do not let all the TVs and relaxed atmosphere fool you, it is actually an orthodontist's office.

When Chris Woolaver, orthodontic specialist and owner of Clearsmiles, found an empty shell for an office space last year, he decided he was going to supply a unique setting to his patients.

So he designed the office with flat-screen TVs, video games and, in the center of it all, a full-sized sports bar where patients can help themselves to a soda fountain.

"I had it in my head that I wanted to do something different. So I designed this concept of a sports bar," Woolaver said. "It turned out really well, I think. Everyone that walks through the doors is excited about it."

Not even four months since opening for business and the people have already spoken: Clearsmiles is the "Best New Business" in Ahwatukee Foothills.

"To me, its validation. It reinforces my opinion that I made a good choice to come (to Ahwatukee)," he said.

Woolaver moved to Ahwatukee Foothills from Calgary, Alberta, eight years ago. He worked in a Tempe office, where he said he treated more than 1,000 Ahwatukee Foothills residents that had followed him to the other side of Interstate 10. He opened Clearsmiles on Oct. 1, 2008.

"When I moved to Ahwatukee, I was working in Tempe but I always knew that I wanted to come back and open my own business here," Woolaver said.

He specializes in Invisalign, the popular alternative to braces. In his short time here, Woolaver has become one of Arizona's top experts in the evolving technology.

"I'm kind of the Invisalign guy," Woolaver said. "I still do braces, but Invisalign is very much my thing."

Patients who have gone the Invisalign route to straighter teeth give him nothing but positive feedback, he said. Well, almost nothing.

"My main complaint from my Invisalign patients is that they cannot snack all day long because they have to take it out and wash it every time," Woolaver said.

Clearsmiles is located at 4425 E. Agave Road, Suite 126. To find out more about Clearsmiles, visit www.Clearsmilesaz.com or call (480) 240-9393.

1st place: Woolaver Clearsmiles
4425 E. Agave Road, Suite 126
(480) 240-9393

 2nd Place: Booster Juice
3961 E. Chandler Blvd.
(480) 704-0095

3rd Place: Cupz and Crepes
4232 E. Chandler Blvd.
(480) 706-1963