We Change Your SmileYou Change The World
Welcome to PhD Orthodontics – Where Expertise Meets a Smile!
PhD Orthodontics proudly serves the San Gabriel Valley, CA, under the care of Dr. Xuanyu Lu — an orthodontist with a global perspective and a deep commitment to clinical excellence. Dr. Lu earned his PhD and completed Advanced Orthodontics Residency training at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), followed by a Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). He later contributed to the field as a faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC), helping train the next generation of orthodontic specialists.
At PhD Orthodontics, we provide High-Quality, Evidence-Based Practice tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We strive to make every visit Enjoyable and Informative, building lasting Trust through Personalized Attention, Clinical Transparency, and a focus on Long-Term Stability and Facial Aesthetic.

Our Mission at PhD Orthodontics
At PhD Orthodontics office, our mission is to provide Exceptional, Evidence-Based Practice grounded in over a decade of experience and specialized training in Craniofacial Orthodontics. As a scientific clinician, every treatment plan is carefully crafted using the latest research and clinical evidence to ensure the best possible outcomes. We prioritize patient understanding and transparency—educating families on the “WHY” behind each decision before moving forward. Our focus is on Early Orthodontic Intervention, addressing Facial and Jaw Development at the Optimal time to support Healthy, Harmonious Growth before the Adolescent Growth Spurt. We also emphasize Airway and Breathing health, recognizing that Pediatric Sleep Apnea is often overlooked and can significantly impact a child’s development. Our goal is not only to complete treatment with Stable Occlusion for Long-term result, but also to create a Natural, Attractive Smile Arc that enhances Facial Aesthetics and Confidence.
We change your smile, you change the world.

Meet Our Doctor
PhD Orthodontics under the care of Dr. Xuanyu Lu — an orthodontist with a global perspective and a deep commitment to clinical excellence. Dr. Lu earned his PhD and completed Advanced Orthodontics Residency training at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), followed by a Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles(CHLA). He later contributed to the field as a faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC), helping train the next generation of orthodontic specialists.
At PhD Orthodontics, we provide High-Quality, Evidence-Based Practice tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We strive to make every visit Enjoyable and Informative, building lasting Trust through Personalized Attention, Clinical Transparency, and a focus on Long-Term Stability and Facial Aesthetic.

Smile Gallery of PhD Orthodontics












Long-Term Success with Braces Treatment
We understand that choosing braces represents a significant investment in your oral health future. When you select orthodontic treatment, you’re making a decision that will benefit you for decades to come. Modern braces technology has evolved to provide lasting results that maintain their effectiveness throughout your lifetime.
Your smile transformation through braces creates permanent structural changes to your teeth positioning. We see patients who completed treatment years ago still enjoying perfectly aligned teeth. The key to lasting success lies in following your post-treatment care plan and wearing retainers as directed by PhD Orthodontics.

Maximizing Your Daily Comfort with Invisalign Treatment
We at PhD Orthodontics believe that Invisalign revolutionizes orthodontic care by fitting seamlessly into your existing routine. Unlike traditional metal brackets that catch food and irritate soft tissues, clear aligners provide smooth, comfortable tooth movement throughout your day. You can continue eating your favorite foods, speaking confidently in meetings, and maintaining your active lifestyle without disruption.
These custom-made aligners transform your smile while preserving your professional image and personal comfort. Each tray applies gentle, controlled pressure to guide teeth into proper alignment without the pain and inconvenience associated with conventional orthodontic methods. Your daily activities remain unaffected as you progress toward your ideal smile.

Protecting Your Natural Smile Arc During Treatment
Traditional orthodontic methods sometimes flatten the natural curvature of your upper teeth, creating an aged appearance that contradicts your treatment goals. We prioritize maintaining your youthful smile characteristics throughout the entire correction process. Advanced Smile Arc Protection technology prevents the unwanted flattening effect that occurs when brackets are positioned using standard techniques.
Your natural smile displays a beautiful curved relationship between your upper teeth and lower lip contour. Our modern orthodontic care at PhD Orthodontics recognizes that straight teeth alone don’t create an attractive smile without proper curvature considerations.

Early Treatment
Comparing Early Orthodontic Treatment to Later Intervention
PhD Orthodontics addresses orthodontic concerns during childhood development by creating dramatically different outcomes than waiting until adolescence or adulthood. Early intervention capitalizes on natural growth patterns when bones remain flexible and responsive to gentle guidance. Young patients experience faster, more comfortable corrections because their developing jaws adapt more readily to treatment modifications.
Delaying treatment until permanent teeth fully emerge often requires more complex procedures, longer treatment times, and potentially invasive corrections. Early orthodontic care works with your child’s natural development timeline rather than fighting against established patterns that become increasingly difficult to modify with age.

Understanding Pediatric Sleep Apnea and Airway Development
Pediatric sleep apnea affects breathing patterns during rest when children experience partial or complete airway blockages throughout the night. Unlike adult cases primarily linked to weight factors, childhood sleep disorders typically stem from enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or structural jaw development issues that restrict proper airflow.
PhD Orthodontics recognizes the connection between facial growth patterns and breathing difficulties in developing children. Narrow palates, small jaw structures, and certain bite relationships can contribute to airway constriction that disrupts healthy sleep cycles. Understanding these developmental factors allows us to identify children who may benefit from early intervention to support both proper breathing and facial growth.

Transforming Oral Function Through Surgical Orthodontic Treatment
Our surgical orthodontic treatment at PhD Orthodontics creates life-changing improvements for patients with impacted canines and severe bite irregularities that affect daily activities. When teeth fail to emerge naturally or develop in problematic positions, the combined surgical and orthodontic approach restores both function and appearance more effectively than either treatment alone.
The impact extends beyond aesthetics to fundamental oral health improvements. Properly positioned canine teeth serve crucial roles in tearing food, guiding jaw movement, and maintaining facial support. Missing or malpositioned canines can lead to premature wear on other teeth, jaw joint problems, and difficulty with normal eating patterns that affect overall nutrition and quality of life.
Early Intervention Strategies for Cleft and Craniofacial Treatment
Beginning cleft and craniofacial treatment within the first months of life establishes the foundation for successful long-term outcomes. Early orthodontic intervention through nasoalveolar molding appliances helps shape facial structures before surgical repair, reducing the complexity of future procedures and improving overall results.
Proactive treatment planning during infancy addresses feeding challenges, speech development concerns, and facial growth patterns that significantly impact your child’s quality of life. The coordinated approach between our orthodontic specialists at PhD Orthodontics and surgical teams creates optimal conditions for each stage of treatment while minimizing the number of procedures needed throughout childhood and adolescence.
Why Choose Us
Start Your Smile Journey With PhD Orthodontics
At PhD Orthodontics, our mission is to provide Exceptional, Evidence-Based Practice grounded in over a decade of experience and specialized training in Craniofacial Orthodontics. As a scientific clinician, every treatment plan is carefully crafted using the latest research and clinical evidence to ensure the best possible outcomes. We prioritize patient understanding and transparency—educating families on the “WHY” behind each decision before moving forward. Our focus is on Early Orthodontic Intervention, addressing Facial and Jaw Development at the Optimal time to support Healthy, Harmonious Growth before the Adolescent Growth Spurt. We also emphasize Airway and Breathing health, recognizing that Pediatric Sleep Apnea is often overlooked and can significantly impact a child’s development. Our goal is not only to complete treatment with Stable Occlusion for Long-term results, but also to create a Natural, Attractive Smile Arc that enhances Facial Aesthetics and Confidence.
We change your smile, you change the world.
Don’t wait to take the first step toward the smile you deserve — schedule your comprehensive consultation today by calling 626-684-2880.

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