At Kathleen C. Hwang Orthodontics, we strive to help patients maintain a uniform smile that is in the proper alignment to benefit ones oral health. Far too often, people assume they only need to brush twice a day in order to keep their teeth healthy. In reality, crooked teeth can trap food particles or plaque that will continue to damage the enamel over time. With our treatment, we can help to shift the teeth into the proper position and prevent the possibility of this from happening.

It has always been my belief that outstanding patient care is a combination of quality work and an excellent patient experience. It is my constant goal to provide both of these to my patients, and deliver gentle and effective orthodontic care in a fun and friendly environment.

I love creating smiles and, as a result, helping each of my wonderful patients improve their self-esteem and self-confidence. Being an orthodontist is incredibly rewarding: not only am I able to help people have better lives, but every day I get to have amazing conversations with my patients. I look forward to hearing about whats happening in their lives and sharing in their excitement when they have something big planned. Im also humbled when they choose to confide in me, because they need someone to talk with and they trust me. Those one-on-one connections make me smile.

I attended UCLA for my Bachelor of Science in microbiology and molecular genetics, and then went to UCSF, where I was awarded my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. I returned to UCLA for my orthodontics residency. My formal education provided me with an excellent foundation, but I also know that being an oral healthcare provider means I must stay on the leading edge of developments in the field. Orthodontic technologies and treatment methodologies are constantly evolving, and I need to remain informed in order to provide my patients with the widest array of options to create the perfect individual smile for them.

I was born in Taiwan. When I was three I moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I grew up. My family moved to Arcadia in 1990 and I graduated from Arcadia High School. I love the area and returned here after spending time in San Francisco and Orange County.

My husband Kevin and I have a young daughter, Isabella, who is the light of our lives. We are very family-oriented, and I love living near my parents and my sister, brother, and nephews. While Isabella keeps me very busy, as toddlers tend to do, I try to make time for Pilates in order to keep myself healthy and energized.

I enjoy traveling, experiencing different cultures, meeting people from different backgrounds, and exploring varied cuisines. Ive traveled throughout Asia and Europe, and have gone to Guatemala to lecture to the Guatemalan Association of Orthodontists, and to China to lecture to the students and faculty at both National Taiwan University and Shanghai Ninth Peoples Hospital.

I have taken a great effort to find someone who can join our team and uphold the high quality of service that our patients have appreciated. I have been fortunate to find Dr. Lin whom I believe possesses the highest qualifications and is an extremely well skilled orthodontist.

Dr. Lawrence Lin, a Board-eligible orthodontist, is a Southern California native. He grew up in Orange County, but considers LA his home. A true Bruin at heart, he earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Economics. He then continued on to obtain his dental degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he earned several honors and scholarships. He found the passion for orthodontics during this time in dental school and proceeded to obtain his Orthodontic specialty certificate from UCLA.

During his time in college he started participating in CHAMPs, a mentorship program for the underprivileged youth, and continued with it while in dental school by becoming the health director for CHAMPs. His involvement at CHAMPs led him to create the Teen Oral Health Committee as a part of the American Student Dental Association to address the needs of oral health education among underprivileged youth, traveling to various middle schools in Los Angeles to teach oral hygiene.

Dr. Lawrence Lin enjoys orthodontics for its detail-oriented focus, the patient relationships, and the ability to give patients a smile they love. He also loves opportunities to serve, having traveled abroad to China to provide dental care for the underprivileged. He has spent a considerable amount of time learning Spanish and Mandarin to better connect with all his patients, and even attended National Taiwan University to enhance his language skills in Mandarin. He enjoys time with his family (he just got married!!!), reading, exercising and traveling.

At our orthodontic practice, we work hard to treat our patients the same way we would like to be treated: with respect, professionalism, and sensitivity toward our needs. We understand the expectations of the patients and families we serve, and we do everything we can to make sure that each patient has an exceptional experience at our practice.

Many of us have likely had or know someone who has had corrective braces for crooked or misaligned teeth. However, there are many more types of teeth-related issues that braces may treat.Lets examine how braces can be used to correct an alignment issue known as an overjet, including what exactly an overjet is, how it

Cosmetic orthodontics works to improve the function and appearance of misaligned teeth. This type of oral treatment helps to even out bite pressure across all teeth, which safeguards the long-term health of gums, teeth, and jaws.Braces and aligners are used in cosmetic orthodontics to correct a crooked smile or misaligned bite. There are various types

Many people think that their journey with teeth straightening ends when their braces are removed or they finish their clear aligner treatment but neglecting to wear orthodontic retainers often causes delays in their new, straight smile. Wearing your retainer is an easy step to ensure that you will have a straight smile for the rest

A modern type of orthodontic appliance, clear aligners apply gentle pressure to the teeth to create a straighter, better-aligned smile. These aligners are considered by most to be more aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces and can be more hygienic as well. Although they are relatively simple to use, patients often have questions about what to

Early interceptive therapy, also known as phase 1 orthodontics, is performed by a kids orthodontist and deals with the application of growth appliances, expanders, or partial braces, pending the complete eruption of the patients adult teeth. Phase one treatment is usually recommended for children when they are between 7 and 11 years old. The treatment

Teenagers and adults choose Invisalign because it straightens teeth without anyone noticing that they are correcting their smile. People living in the Monrovia CA area, trust Dr. Hwang to help them achieve their smile goals in a way that is comfortable and convenient.

How does Invisalign work?As an Invisalign Orthodontist, Dr. Hwang straightens teeth using a series of aligners. First, we make an impression of the patient's teeth and create a series of aligners in a dental lab. The aligners are made out of a thermoplastic material that is both strong and flexible, to help the patient feel comfortable while wearing the aligners for long periods of time. The material is nearly invisible.

The aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day and switched out with the next one in the series every two weeks. Over a period of several months, the aligners will slowly move the teeth into place and make one minor adjustment at a time. Each of these adjustments is targeted to specific teeth. Thanks to the speed of the process, a patient's teeth will remain comfortable as they are moved into position. Once the patient is done wearing the aligners, he or she will have straight teeth.

Attachments Some patients may need to wear attachments or ridges in order to ensure that their teeth move into place. An attachment is a clear bump, made out of an enamel-colored composite that is secured to the teeth. There are bumps on the aligner, which grips the aligner and holds it in place. Ridges work in a similar way, except that an indent is created instead of a raised bump. This can be necessary for more complicated cases to ensure that a particular tooth, or several teeth, move into the proper place as they should.

How will Invisalign impact my life?Unlike wearing traditional braces, Invisalign will not make a major impact on your quality of life. Since the aligners are clear, it will not drastically change your appearance. Additionally, since they only need to be worn for 22 hours a day, they will not interfere with eating. This is a huge advantage because you can eat your favorite plate of ribs, go out for a romantic date or eat a caramel apple without worrying about a wire being pulled out of place. This time also allows you to take the aligner out when having an important conversation or making a presentation at work. It is important to note that you need to brush your teeth and clean out any food in your mouth before you place your aligners back in. Overall, this is a convenient way to straighten your teeth and provides the maximum level of flexibility.

Some people are concerned about whether or not wearing an aligner will impact their speech. Most of our Monrovia patients tell us that they have to get used to wearing aligners after the first couple of days. Patients may have a slight lisp that goes away once they adjust to speaking while wearing the aligners. This is standard with any orthodontic procedure. Fortunately, most people can speak normally within a couple of days.

If you are in the market for a new smile, you may be faced with the dilemma of which to choose Invaslign or the traditional metal braces.Traditional braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment for all ages. While they may be effective in straightening the teeth, some may consider them an unattractive

For many patients, clear aligners are the obvious answer for adjusting teeth and correcting bite dysfunctions. When your teeth are crooked or if you have other issues with your smile, there is a different strategy other than metal braces. Aligners are not only less visible than braces, but this treatment can also be more comfortable.To

Wondering if you should choose Invisalign clear aligners as your teeth straightening option? Gone are the days when people had to choose traditional metal braces when wanting straighter teeth. Nowadays, there are a few different options for straightening your teeth, which means you have choices. These options not only allow you to have a great

All too many patients avoid visiting the orthodontist because they do not know what to expect during the process or even if they are a good candidate. It is helpful to have a complete understanding of exactly what Invisalign is to make an informed decision as to whether this treatment is right for you.The following

Is the only thing standing between you and the beautiful smile you've always wanted the thought of having to wear braces? For many people, the idea of having braces can be intimidating. Insignia utilizes new technology to help you achieve the beautiful smile you want in less time, with fewer office visits, and with more customization than with a traditional braces treatment. Insignia is a new orthodontic system that is changing the way smiles are made!

Insignia is an interactive software system that allows your doctor to create your smile specifically for you. Insignia software uses virtual 3D imaging to generate a model of your mouth. Using the digital model, your doctor is able to analyze the most effective and efficient way to help you achieve a perfect smile.

Once your doctor has created your treatment plan, your custom archwires will guide your teeth into the correct position smoothly and directly, reducing your treatment time and giving you the smile you want sooner than you ever thought possible.