Welcome to PhD Orthodontics – Where Expertise Meets a Smile!
Transform your smile and your future with evidence-based orthodontic treatment at PhD Orthodontics. Led by Dr. Xuanyu Lu, a PhD-trained orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, with specialized Craniofacial Fellowship training and a pioneering researcher, our practice delivers exceptional results through advanced techniques and dedicated personalized care.
We specialize in comprehensive orthodontic solutions, from early intervention pediatric care to complex craniofacial procedures, including cleft lip and palate treatment, creating healthy smiles that build lasting confidence. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of orthodontics, combined with our patient-centered approach, ensures that every treatment plan is precisely tailored to achieve optimal outcomes for your unique needs.


Our Mission
We believe every smile tells a story, and yours deserves to be extraordinary. Our orthodontist’s approach transcends conventional treatment by integrating groundbreaking research with personalized care that considers your unique facial structure, airway health, and growth patterns.
As a specialist in craniofacial orthodontics with Fellowship training from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Xuanyu Lu is passionate about creating healthy smiles that enhance not just your appearance, but your overall oral health, breathing function, and psychological well-being. “We change your smile, you change the world” isn’t just our motto – it’s the driving force behind every treatment plan we craft.
Meet Our Doctor
PhD Orthodontics under the care of Dr. Xuanyu Lu — an orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, 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.
Meet Dr. Lu
Board-certified orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, Dr. Xuanyu Lu stands apart in our field through his pivotal research in bone grafting, with 13 breakthrough publications that have advanced orthodontic science. He earned his PhD in Oral Sciences and 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). As a faculty member at USC and Attending Doctor at CHLA serving the largest craniofacial team on the West Coast, he applies his specialized training to develop targeted treatment plans that address even the most complex oral health challenges.
Dr. Lu’s commitment to professional growth means he actively studies emerging techniques, critically evaluates new research, and implements proven methods that enhance patient outcomes. His dedication to evidence-based orthodontics, combined with a warm chairside manner, ensures every patient receives technically superior care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Smile Gallery of PhD Orthodontics






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Braces
At PhD Orthodontics, braces represent a significant investment creating permanent structural changes that benefit you for decades. Our comprehensive treatment corrects crooked teeth, gaps, and bite issues while improving chewing function and facial harmony. We offer traditional metal, ceramic, lingual, and self-ligating systems to meet your unique preferences.
Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, begins with a consultation including 3D CBCT and an intraoral scan to create your personalized plan. We use advanced Smile Arc Protection techniques to preserve natural smile curvature while repositioning teeth. We provide ongoing support and adjustments for long-term stability and confident smiles.
Invisalign
Invisalign revolutionizes treatment with virtually invisible aligners that fit seamlessly into your routine without conventional methods’ pain and inconvenience. This system creates custom transparent trays that gradually reposition teeth while maintaining your professional image. The technology appeals particularly to adults and professionals requiring discretion during smile transformation.
PhD Orthodontics begins with detailed digital scanning and treatment planning that shows expected results before starting. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, monitors each stage through your aligner series, ensuring optimal movement and comfort. Modern clear aligner technology delivers predictable results across all age groups, making quality orthodontic care accessible to everyone.
Smile Arc
Your smile arc represents the natural curve when upper teeth follow your lower lip’s contour during genuine smiles. This creates “consonant” smiles where tooth edges mirror lip curvature for youthful, attractive appearance. Traditional methods sometimes flatten this curvature, creating an aged appearance that contradicts treatment goals.
PhD Orthodontics employs advanced Smile Arc Protection technology to preserve this critical facial feature. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, uses specialized bracket positioning closer to gums on front teeth rather than uniform positioning. This prevents unwanted flattening while ensuring results showcase broad, youthful smiles that enhance natural beauty and boost confidence.
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Early treatment functions like preventive maintenance for developing smiles, capitalizing on natural growth when bones remain flexible and responsive to gentle guidance. This approach addresses crowded teeth, crossbites, mouth breathing, and improper jaw development during childhood, creating dramatically different outcomes than waiting until adolescence.
PhD Orthodontics times interventions during optimal growth phases, with evaluations recommended by age seven when first permanent molars appear. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, utilizes specialized pediatric appliances for developing mouths, creating space for emerging permanent teeth. This prevents major problems while allowing normal development, often eliminating extraction needs later.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Pediatric sleep apnea creates repeated breathing interruptions when airways become blocked throughout the night. Unlike adult cases linked to weight factors, childhood disorders typically stem from enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or structural jaw issues like narrow palates that restrict airflow and disrupt sleep cycles.
PhD Orthodontics addresses this often overlooked condition by understanding how facial growth patterns impact airway space. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, employs rapid maxillary expansion techniques to widen narrow palates and nasal passages, immediately improving breathing capacity. This airway-focused treatment supports proper brain development while improving sleep quality for better daytime behavior and academic performance.
Surgical Orthodontic Treatment
Surgical orthodontic treatment combines oral surgery and orthodontics to address complex problems like impacted canines and severe bite irregularities that traditional braces alone cannot solve. This collaborative approach targets deeply impacted teeth, severe jaw misalignments, or skeletal discrepancies requiring surgical correction before orthodontic movement.
PhD Orthodontics works with oral surgeons, creating comprehensive plans using advanced 3D imaging technology that maps exact tooth positions and prevents complications. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, coordinates pre-surgical positioning, surgical exposure of impacted teeth, and post-operative refinement. The combined approach delivers outcomes impossible through single-discipline methods while reducing total treatment time.
Cleft and Craniofacial Treatment
Cleft and craniofacial conditions represent complex birth differences where facial structures don’t fully develop during pregnancy, creating gaps in lip, palate, or both areas. These conditions require immediate specialized medical team attention because they affect fundamental functions like breathing, eating, and speech development from birth.
PhD Orthodontics collaborates within multidisciplinary teams including plastic surgeons, speech therapists, and feeding specialists coordinating comprehensive care from infancy through adulthood. Our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, provides essential treatment through specialized appliances like nasoalveolar molding devices that shape facial structures before surgical repair, and complex braces systems designed for craniofacial conditions. This coordinated approach achieves remarkable improvements in speech clarity, eating function, and facial appearance.

Why Choose Us
Your Perfect Smile Starts With Our Orthodontist in Arcadia, CA!
Your journey to a confident, healthy smile is personal, and at PhD Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Dr. Xuanyu Lu’s proven approach combines rigorous technical skill with attentive personal care, focusing on early intervention, airway health, and long-term stability to help you achieve optimal oral health and facial aesthetics.
Don’t wait to take the first step toward the smile you deserve – schedule your comprehensive consultation with our orthodontist in Arcadia, CA, today by calling 626-684-2880 to discuss your customized treatment plan with our dedicated team.

FAQs
What sets your treatment methods apart?
Dr. Lu combines his groundbreaking research expertise with personalized clinical care to deliver exceptional results. Our evidence-based methods include advanced Smile Arc Protection technology that preserves your natural smile curvature. Every treatment plan reflects our commitment to optimizing both function and aesthetics, supported by Dr. Lu’s Fellowship training from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and extensive experience in complex craniofacial cases.
What benefits can I expect from orthodontic treatment?
Beyond creating a beautiful smile, orthodontic care improves your oral health by correcting misaligned teeth and bad bites. Proper alignment makes daily cleaning easier, reduces tooth wear, and can alleviate jaw pain. Our orthodontist also addresses airway health and breathing function, recognizing that pediatric sleep apnea can significantly impact development. Many patients report increased confidence, improved speech, and long-term stability after treatment.
How do you ensure comfort during orthodontic adjustments?
Modern orthodontic technology has revolutionized patient comfort during treatment. Our team uses advanced techniques and materials specifically chosen to minimize discomfort. With approximately 60% of our practice dedicated to pediatric care, we’re especially skilled at making children feel comfortable and understood. We provide detailed care instructions and remain available to address any concerns throughout the process.
Do you offer treatment options for busy professionals?
We offer flexible appointment times, including early morning and late afternoon slots that work around school and work schedules. Our streamlined booking system, efficient team, and location next to an elementary school make us easily accessible for families while respecting your time and ensuring each appointment moves your treatment forward effectively.
What should I consider when choosing an orthodontist in Arcadia, CA?
Look for a board-certified orthodontist with proven expertise in your specific needs and specialized training in complex cases. Dr. Lu’s unique combination of PhD-level research, Fellowship training in craniofacial orthodontics, and role as Attending Doctor at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles sets our practice apart. Consider their treatment philosophy focusing on early intervention and airway health, and whether they explain the “WHY” behind treatment decisions clearly.



