Orthodontics

Complex orthodontics and consultative cleft palate care.

Multi-year cases that need orthodontic continuity through surgical phases — coordinated with UCLA and other specialty centers.

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What it is

Complex cases — the plain-English version.

Some cases need more than a single course of treatment. Cleft palate, severe skeletal discrepancies, and other complex bites unfold over years and often across multiple specialists. Dr. Mendivil provides orthodontic continuity through that journey — staying with the patient as the case moves between phases. We do not perform surgical treatment of cleft palate; surgical phases are referred to UCLA and other specialty centers, and we coordinate orthodontic care around them.

Overview

How treatment works.

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Orthodontic continuity through multi-year treatment plans.
Coordination with UCLA cleft and craniofacial teams for surgical phases.
Coordination with oral surgeons and maxillofacial specialists for skeletal cases.
A consistent point of contact for families navigating multiple referrals.

Is this for you

When complex-case care applies

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate diagnosis (orthodontic side of the team).
Severe skeletal discrepancies that may need orthognathic surgery.
Patients in the middle of a multi-phase plan who need a new orthodontist.
Cases where the general orthodontic timeline doesn't fit the bite.

The visits

What the process actually looks like.

Step-by-step, so there are no surprises at the chair.

Initial consultation
A full intake — clinical exam, imaging, treatment history, and a conversation about where the case currently sits.
Coordination
We connect with the patient's surgical team — UCLA cleft and craniofacial, oral surgeons, or whoever else is involved — and align the orthodontic plan with their schedule.
Phased orthodontic care
Treatment happens in stages: pre-surgical alignment, post-surgical refinement, retention. Each phase has its own appointments and its own timeline.
Long-term continuity
We stay with the patient through the full arc, including the years between active phases. The same chart, the same doctor, the same approach.

Common questions

Frequently asked.

Does the practice perform cleft palate surgery?
No. Surgical phases are referred to UCLA and other specialty centers. We provide the orthodontic side of the team — pre-surgical, post-surgical, and retention.
My child is already mid-treatment elsewhere. Can you take the case?
In most cases yes, after a consultation to review the existing plan and imaging. The transition is more straightforward at the start of a new phase.
How long does a complex case typically take?
Multi-year. Cleft palate care often spans most of childhood and adolescence. We'll give you a realistic phase-by-phase timeline at the consultation.