About Orthodontics

Dentofacial Orthopedics

Guiding jaw and facial growth while a child is still developing.

  • Valley Village, CA
  • Trained in Dentofacial Orthopedics

What it is

More than straightening teeth

Dentofacial Orthopedics is often associated with Orthodontics.  While most people know that orthodontics deals with straightening teeth, they may not know what the term Dentofacial Orthopedics means.  Derived from Greek roots, the term Dentofacial Orthopedics combines Dento=teeth plus facial=face with ortho= straight and pedics=child.

Dr. Fotovat is a trained orthodontist, having received training in Dentofacial Orthopedics.  He works on not only straightening the teeth, but also on creating harmony between the jaws and facial bones with the surrounding structures.

Why age matters

Working while a child is still growing

Because children are still growing, we have a unique opportunity to coordinate their jaw alignment and position with orthopedic changes as the braces straighten their teeth.  Once the growth is complete, only surgical orthodontic treatment, called orthognathic surgery, can alter the jaw position. Having your child evaluated early on will enable us to schedule orthodontic treatment that will take advantage of their natural growth and development.

Your orthodontist

Dr. Mehdi Fotovat, D.D.S.

Dr. Mehdi Fotovat, board certified orthodontist in Valley Village, California

Board certified, with over 30 years of experience

  • Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics — only 1 in 3 orthodontists are
  • Angle Society member — only 3% of orthodontists belong
  • Past clinical faculty, UCLA School of Dentistry orthodontic program
  • Invisalign Diamond provider — over 1,800 cases completed
Read Dr. Fotovat’s full bio

Have your child evaluated

The initial consultation is complimentary.