Dr. Mark P. Colonna graduated from Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago in 1983. After earning his degree, he practiced in St. Charles, Illinois, and taught at the dental school until 1992. During that time, he served as Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Operative Dentistry.

In 1992, Dr. Colonna moved to Whitefish, Montana, and later founded the Montana Center for Laser Dentistry. There, he introduced technology focused on minimally invasive dental care. His pioneering work includes using lasers to prepare teeth for full crowns and porcelain veneers without traditional drills or, in some cases, local anesthesia.

Dr. Colonna lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on laser dentistry and laser-assisted endodontics, or root canal treatment. His articles have appeared in numerous dental journals, and he shares ownership of several patents related to laser dentistry with his research partner, Dr. Enrico DiVito.

His professional honors include the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry’s “Clinician of the Year” award and Diplomate status. He also earned Mastership certification from the World Clinical Laser Institute.

On August 5, 2012, Dr. Colonna and Dr. DiVito received the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry’s “Inventor of the Year” award for their development of PIPS™ technology, a laser-activated method used to help clean root canal systems.

Dr. Colonna’s professional memberships include the American Dental Association, Montana Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics, and American Association of Endodontists. He is also a founding member of the World Clinical Laser Institute and a lifetime member of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Dentistry.

In addition to his work in laser dentistry, Dr. Colonna is certified in Invisalign orthodontics. He served on Montana’s Board of Dentistry Examiners from 2005 to 2010.