Meet the Doctor
Dr. Brian Marino
Meet Dr. Brian Marino! Dr. Marino was raised in Oakland, NJ and attended Indian Hills High School. He currently resides in Wyckoff with his wife Kristen, their three children, James, Elizabeth, Madelyn and their dog Ryder, a Golden Retriever. When not treating patients Dr. Marino enjoys spending quality time with his family and rooting them on in soccer and lacrosse. He is a dedicated and committed baseball fan and loyal to the New York Yankees. A true outdoors man, he enjoys some stream time fly fishing in the West, the Catskills and locally on the Flat Brook with his son James and brother Frank. Dr. Marino loves exploring and traveling to new places with his family and is always brought back to his beloved Cape Cod where he enjoys fishing, biking and paddle boarding.
After working with two different doctors for a number of years Dr. Marino decided to open his own practice, it was in 2007 that Pequannock Valley Dental Associates was created. Dr. Marino was able to create a practice that reflects his practice philosophy where quality patient care is a top priority in a warm and welcoming environment. He focuses on connecting with the patients on a personal level so together they can develop a treatment plan that is tailored to the patient’s dental needs.
In April of 2021, Dr. Marino and Kristen acquired Dr. James Walter’s office in Montville, which became Montville Center for Dentistry. We had the opportunity to expand the space and the team! We are excited to be serving the patients in Montville and surrounding communities. In December of 2023, Dr. Marino and Kristen also had the opportunity to acquire two additional locations. One in Vernon, known as The Center for Dentistry of Vernon and in Whitehouse Station, Whitehouse Station Center For Dentistry.
We are making great changes to these additional locations which include facility updates, implementing the latest dental technology and growing a phenomenal team to serve all your dental needs. We are excited to be able to partner with you and your oral health!
Dr. Marino graduated from Rutgers College with honors and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biology. A Dean’s Scholar graduate of University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) now known as Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. After completion of dental school, he chose to complete his general practice residency at Hackensack University Medical Center, which has been consistently rated New Jersey's #1 hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Marino continues to routinely exceeds the annual requirements for continuing education in all areas of dentistry. He has been an Invisalign provider since 2004 and is one of very few dentists who traveled to Costa Rica to tour the facility where Invisalign is manufactured. While in Costa Rica, he had the opportunity to meet with case workers on an individual basis and learn the latest techniques in clear aligner treatment. He is also a member of clear aligners, (AACA). Dr. Marino has attended numerous courses in advanced courses in occlusion, advanced restorative dentistry and temporomandibular joint disorders at the Dawson Center. He is a CEREC user since 2008 and has personally restored thousands of same day porcelain crowns. He regularly attends advanced coursework on CAD CAM, also known as digital dentistry at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry in Arizona. Dr. Marino is a graduate of the Schuster Center for Dentistry for high quality technically advanced dentist to structure their practice to engage patients in a ethical manner. Currently, he is studying Implant Dentistry and will be traveling to the Dominican Republic to continue his surgical and prosthetic training. He is an active member in the ADA, American Dental Association and the NJDA, New Jersey Dental Association.
Dr. Marino is truly committed to helping you achieve your optimal dental health. He and his team are highly trained to provide the best possible patient experience for you and your family.
Dr. Vele
Dr. Vele is a dedicated dentist with a passion for both his profession and personal life. Dr. Vele's journey in dentistry began during his service in the Navy, where he provided dental care to Marines in San Diego. After graduating from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with a DMD degree, he pursued extensive training in endodontics and oral surgery, honing his skills to deliver comprehensive and specialized care to his patients. With Dr. Vele, you can expect a blend of expertise, compassion, and a genuine commitment to your oral health and well-being.
When he's not crafting beautiful smiles, Dr. Vele cherishes moments with his family, whether cheering on his grandson at basketball games or enjoying quality time with his wife and beloved puppy. A fitness enthusiast, you'll often find him starting his day with a morning workout to stay energized and focused.
Dr. Tristan Emborgo
Dr. Tristan Emborgo received his Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology at the University of Texas at Austin before starting his dental training at Touro College of Dental Medicine to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award for exhibiting the greatest knowledge and proficiency in general dentistry in his class.
For a few years, Dr. Emborgo went on to private practice in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Falling in love with the picturesque mountains and people of Sussex County that reminds Dr. Emborgo of his small hometown in East Texas, he decided to relocate near his significant other’s hometown of Highland Lakes and move to New Jersey.
As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, he continues to stay informed of new research and innovation in the field. Dr. Emborgo believes in delivering clear communication, transparency, and approachability in patient care while providing quality dental work. He enjoys working with a diverse range of patients and can use his basic Spanish skills to interact when needed.
When out of the office, Dr. Emborgo roots for his Texas Longhorns in college football. He likes lifting weights, jogging trails, and wrenching on his motorcycle. If the weather permits, you may occasionally see him ride to the office on two wheels.
Kristen Marino
Happily married since 2000, Kristen and Dr. Marino have 3 children.; James, Elizabeth and Madelyn. Kristen enjoys spending her time with her family cheering them on from the sidelinesand finds great joy in watching their children grow. She enjoys cooking for her family and creating memories as they travel to new places each year. An avid skier and nature lover,Kristen finds much happiness in the great outdoors, whether that is a hike in the National Parks, skiing or simply combing the beach for shells at her beloved Cape Cod. Professionally Kristen, Dr. Marino’s business partner and wife have partnered together on various projects since 2007 Dr. Marino introduced Kristen to the potential of her involvement in the practices in 2007, whenwe acquired Pequannock Valley Dental Associates, Montville, Center For Dentistry (2021), Whitehouse Station Center For Dentistry (2023) and The Center For Dentistry of Vernon (2023) Kristen was new to the field of dentistry in 2007 after making a complete career change, originally a teacher with a degree specialized in education and obtaining a M.ED in Developmental Disabilities. Kristen offers a unique perspective with her background in education that others who are in the industry.
A natural eye for design and detail, Kristen helps to transform the dental spaces so they are aesthetically pleasing and comforting to patients. Kristen is committed to the growth and development of the team and she diligently works with each team member to create a path for growth in working within their unique strengths. Kristen’s is heavily involved in the development of systems, operating procedures and curriculum for the dental practices. As a teacher at heart, she always loves to bring on, develop and grow team members who are aligned with the vision of the practices and guides with a servant's heart. She views each day as a new opportunity for learning and developing professionally and personally and continues to surrounds herself in this industry with the top leaders in the dental space.