Meet Dr. J

Orthodontist Dr. Michael S. Johnston is a leader in orthodontics. Not only does he use braces, but also he INVENTS them! Dr. Johnston has been awarded two patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office for his orthodontic brace and method. He is the inventor of the OnBRACE® appliance which is available through Specialty Appliances. Dr. Johnston was awarded his 3rd US patent for the OnBRACE® on February 11, 2025. The OnBRACE® is patent-pending around the world including Europe, Japan, Canada, and Brazil. Needless to say, inventing things is kind of a hobby for Dr. Johnston.

Patent #1 & Patent #2 & Patent #3

Michael S. Johnston, DMD, MS, DABO was born and raised in Spartanburg, SC. It was there that he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Wofford College graduating cum laude. He received the distinguished CRC Press Outstanding Chemist Award at Wofford. Michael received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating with honors in 1995. Dr. Johnston completed his orthodontic training at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV in 1998. He received both a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics and a Certificate in Orthodontics from WVU. Dr. Johnston is licensed to practice Orthodontics in both South Carolina and North Carolina.

Dr. Johnston is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, the highest accreditation that an orthodontist can achieve. He is a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontists, World Federation of Orthodontists, Southern Association of Orthodontists, South Carolina Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association, and Piedmont District Dental Association.

He has been honored with membership in the prestigious Zeta Eta Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. Dr. Johnston was honored with the Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Dental Research and the Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis Award of Excellence and Promise in the field of Oral Diagnosis. He has been an adjunct professor for the Greenville Technical College Dental Assisting Program. He is past president of the West Virginia University Orthodontic Alumni Association. Dr. Johnston has also traveled to London, United Kingdom to participate as a continuing education instructor in orthodontics. He presented a lecture on the OnBRACE® at the American Association of Orthodontists meeting in New Orleans in 2024.

Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids in the mountains, tinkering on his 1984 Dodge Ramcharger, collecting Case knives, as well as being involved with his church. He has even been an Elvis impersonator at times. 

Thank you… thank you very much!