Dr. Merilynn Yamada founded Buena Vista Orthodontics in 1990 and was voted Burbank's Best Orthodontist many years in a row. She is a certified orthodontic specialist who graduated from the nationally renowned UCSF Department of Orthodontics and the UCLA School of Dentistry. She was awarded scholarships and graduated with distinction, being elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a society honoring the top 11 percent of the class. She was also a UCLA undergraduate and graduated on the Dean's Honor Roll, Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She is known for her excellent diagnostic skills and treatment results, a great sense of humor and excellent rapport with her patients.

In addition to her private practice, she has volunteered her services to children in need throughout her career. She has donated her services for over 18 years to the St. Joseph's Hospital Dental Clinic and the Burbank Community Dental Clinic.

Just as each person is unique, so is a smile. Knowing this, Dr. Kim takes great pride increating beautiful smiles that are unique to that individual. The results? A life-changing transformation process that is truly priceless! This is where Dr. Kim obtains his greatest satisfaction, knowing that he has a hand in this process and is able to make a positive impact in that persons life.

After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance, Dr. Kim decided tofollow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by becoming a dentist and orthodontist, respectively. He attended USC School of Dentistry (as his father before him) where was awarded his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. During his four years at USC, he was recognized for his academic excellence, being placed on the Deans Honor list multiple times.He also has the distinction of receiving the highest score among his classmates on the NationalBoard of Dental Examination Part 1. Dr. Kim completed his orthodontic residency at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (Boston, MA), where he was mentored by numerous world-renowned faculty.

During the summer of 2007, Dr. Kim had the privilege of completing an internship at theprestigious Yonsei University Orthodontic Department (Seoul, South Korea). This was especially meaningful for Dr. Kim because his grandfather founded this department in 1968. Through this internship, Dr. Kim was able to learn from leading researchers and faculty members about a revolutionary technique, temporary anchorage devices (TAD), and how to incorporate it into his own orthodontic practice. Due to this orthodontic breakthrough and Dr. Kims extensive work with it, he has been able to dramatically reduce treatment time for his patients.

To continue providing the best possible treatment for his patients, Dr. Kim stays current with allof the new techniques and advancements happening in dentistry, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. He attends both local and national meetings, continuing-education courses, seminars, and hands-on training in new technologies throughout the year. Dr. Kim is board eligible with the American Board of Orthodontics and is currently working on becoming a diplomate of the board.He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society ofOrthodontists, and California Association of Orthodontists.

As Dr. Kim gets settled in and becomes more familiar with the Los Feliz area, he looks forwardto becoming a dedicated supporter and active member of the surrounding communities. His goal is to support local events, charities, after-school programs and sports teams.

When hes not seeing patients, Dr. Kim enjoys playing the piano and guitar, snowboarding, golfing and exploring different parts of the world. He loves spending time with children, especially his nephews and nieces.

For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you're self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces will greatly improve the way you look and feel.

When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you've always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure that you receive the quality care you deserve.

Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.

Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces!

Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.