At Helix Dental in Florham Park, dentistry feels different the moment you walk through the door. Warm. Calm. Personal. It’s no accident—this practice is the product of a shared vision, years in the making, between co-owners Dr. Anita Liao and Dr. Rafael S. Estrella, a husband-and-wife team who set out to create the kind of dental experience they always wanted to deliver.
“Our story begins with a vision,” said Dr. Liao. “After years working as employee dentists, we realized we wanted more freedom to practice the way we believed modern dentistry should be—personalized, technologically advanced and centered on genuine human connection.”
That vision became Helix Dental, a practice built from the ground up to blend cutting-edge care with a calm, patient-first experience. For Dr. Estrella, the mission was clear from the beginning. “We wanted to provide the best possible dentistry while making each patient feel heard, respected, and truly cared for,” he says. “That meant creating an environment where quality and compassion were never competing priorities.”
A Modern Model of Care
The practice is fully digital and chartless, equipped with the latest technology to enhance accuracy, comfort and communication. Helix Dental features digital scanners, digital X-rays and advanced 3D imaging—tools that support precise diagnostics and more predictable treatment outcomes.
“Our investment in technology wasn’t about keeping up with trends,” said Dr. Liao. “It was about elevating the standard of care we could provide every single day.”
Their expanded services—including Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and comprehensive preventive care—offer patients a wide range of solutions in one place. Education is central to their approach; patients leave understanding their care plans, not just agreeing to them.
“We want our patients to feel empowered,” Dr. Estrella explained. “Knowledge reduces anxiety. When people understand their treatment and their oral health, everything becomes easier and less stressful.”
A Culture That Never Stops Growing
While technology is essential, the couple’s ongoing commitment to professional growth is what keeps Helix Dental at the forefront.
“We pride ourselves on practice quality assurance,” said Dr. Liao. “We’re constantly learning—continuing education, new materials, new techniques. Modern dentistry evolves quickly, and we evolve with it. We never want to live in the comfort zone.”
That mindset extends to the entire team. The practice culture is supportive, collaborative and rooted in positivity. The doctors make it a priority to create an environment where staff members feel valued and encouraged.
“If we support our team, they can better support our patients,” Dr. Estrella said. “A healthy, happy team is essential to creating a healthy, happy practice.”
A Space Designed for Calm
From the beginning, the couple wanted the physical space itself to reflect their philosophy. The office was intentionally designed with a ZEN-inspired color scheme—clean, soft, harmonious tones that help put patients at ease.
“Cleanliness and atmosphere matter,” said Dr. Liao. “When patients walk into a space that feels calm, organized and inviting, it sets the tone for a more positive experience.”
The environment isn’t just aesthetic—it’s emotional. The Helix Dental team prioritizes listening, connection and trust. They treat patients as they would their own family, and that philosophy has shaped the practice in remarkable ways.
Generations of Trust
Today, Helix Dental serves patients from age 2 to 101, with several three-generation families who continue to return year after year. Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized with respect for their needs, concerns, and goals.
“No two people are the same,” Dr. Estrella said. “So their care shouldn’t be the same either.”
For the doctors, these long-lasting relationships are the greatest testament to the practice they’ve built. “The patients are our family,” Dr. Liao said. “We grow with them, we celebrate with them, and we care for them with honesty and respect. That will always be our foundation.”
A Practice Built on Heart
Helix Dental is more than a dental office—it’s a home for compassionate, modern dentistry defined by trust, innovation and a deep belief in treating people as people first.
“We wanted to create a place where patients feel safe, understood and confident in their care,” said Dr. Liao. “Every day, we’re grateful to live that mission.”
With advanced technology, a commitment to lifelong learning and a genuine dedication to human connection, Dr. Liao and Dr. Estrella have created a practice that embodies what dentistry should be: skilled, sincere and always centered on the patient.
“We wanted to create a place where patients feel safe, understood and confident in their care,” said Dr. Liao. “Every day, we’re grateful to live that mission.”