Dr. Robert L. Nixon Pioneer of Cosmetic Dentistry 67 Dies



Robert L. Nixon, recognized pioneer in the practice of cosmetic dentistry and the development of ceramic laminate veneers, devoted more than 24 of his 41 years of private practice to refining and expanding the art and science of these remarkable restorations. Dr. Nixon died from a stroke on January 23rd in Los Angeles, California. He was 67 years old.

A fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, and a diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry, Nixon received his BA degree from Amherst College, his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and his Specialty Degree in Endodontics from Temple University School of Dentistry.

Dr. Nixon lectured extensively both nationally and internationally, served as a consultant to dental manufacturers and laboratories, and published more than 40 aesthetically-oriented articles in the leading dental publications. He is the author of the popular dental text The Chairside Manual for Porcelain Bonding and contributed a chapter on ceramic laminate veneers to the authoritative textbook, Fundamentals of Esthetics. He served as Co-Director of the Center for Esthetic Excellence, a hands-on teaching center in Chicago, Illinois; was elected to the Dental Hall of Fame by the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics; and, was the recipient of the Albert Gelb Memorial Award for excellence in dental education from the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Nixon maintained a private practice in Beverly Hills, California emphasizing aesthetic restorative dentistry. He was the inventor and developer of the Nixon Porcelain Veneer Kit, one of the two most widely-used kits, now in its third-generation, for preparing teeth and the ceramic finishing for porcelain veneer restorations. Selected by the popular dental periodical, Dentistry Today, as one of the top 100 dental educators for 11 straight years (1996-2006), Nixon was singled out to perform comprehensive aesthetic restorative dentistry on more than 100 dentists through his career, widely earning him the designation as the dentist'ss dentist.

Dr. Nixon helped change the lives of both his patients and colleagues. His meticulous care and attention to each and every patient literally gave thousands of people, from every walk of life, great happiness and self-confidence with the beautiful, lasting smiles he labored, often late into the night, to create for them. He was considered to be one of the finest dentists in the world by his colleagues and was a mentor to many; his willingness and ability to teach others through seminars, participation workshops, and publications was unsurpassed. Nixon was instrumental in developing the Stratification Technique for Porcelain Veneers -- a technique still used today to create exquisite smiles for people adversely affected by severely discolored teeth from medications taken earlier in life.

In addition to his renowned dental expertise, throughout the 1970'ss Dr. Nixon was an avid, skilled tennis player, enjoying competitive tournament play with many fine amateurs and pros alike. He shared the court with tennis greats including Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Ilie Nastasie, Roy Emerson, and Fred Stolle, some of whom even joined him on the court at the Nixon family home in Delaware and at their residence in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Dr. Nixon was a lover of all music, especially rock-n-roll and popular greats of his youth, which he would sing aloud and share with those he met, doing so right up to the day he fell ill. A loving and philanthropic man, he was known for his singular wit and character, greeting all with a joke, a song, and a smile. Nixon'ss boundless generosity, friendship, and fellowship will forever define his legacy. He lives in the hearts of his family and the countless people touched by his immense enthusiasm for life and his truly amazing spirit.

He is survived by his wife, Lornie Nixon of California; sons Tyler and Sandon Nixon and daughter Stephanie Nixon, of Delaware; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Jeffery Clark of Guatemala and their son, daughter, and five grandchildren; stepson Peter Julian of California; and, stepdaughter and granddaughter Nickie and Alexandra Antorcha of Washington, DC.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27th at 1:00 pm at Saint Mel'ss Catholic Church in Woodland Hills, California. In lieu of flowers or cards, please send a donation in Dr. Nixon'ss memory to Operation Smile (6435 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, VA 23509; www.operationsmile.org).





Dr. Robert L. Nixon Pioneer of Cosmetic Dentistry 67 Dies