Meet Dr. James Kendrick: Trusted Orthodontist in Kissimmee, FL

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Experience Families Can Trust

Choosing an orthodontist is about more than finding someone who can straighten teeth. You want a doctor who understands how the teeth, bite, jaws, and face work together—and who takes the time to understand the person behind the smile.

Dr. James Kendrick is a board-certified orthodontist with more than 45 years of experience serving patients and families in Kissimmee and throughout Central Florida. His extensive education, advanced surgical training, and thoughtful approach allow him to look beyond crooked teeth and identify the underlying orthodontic problem.

Some patients travel from outside Florida specifically to see Dr. Kendrick. Others first visited Kendrick Orthodontics as teenagers and now return with children of their own. That kind of trust is built one patient, one family, and one carefully planned smile at a time.

An Orthodontist Who Looks Beyond Straight Teeth

A beautiful smile matters, but orthodontic treatment should also consider how comfortably and correctly the teeth fit together.

A patient may come in worried about one crowded tooth, but the examination may reveal a deeper concern involving the bite or jaw relationship. A parent may notice that a child’s teeth look uneven without realizing that the upper and lower jaws are developing differently.

Dr. Kendrick evaluates the complete picture, including:

• Tooth alignment and available space
• How the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Jaw relationships
• Facial balance
• Tooth position and eruption
• The patient’s age, development, and treatment goals
• Long-term function and stability

The goal is not simply to make the front teeth appear straight. It is to understand why the problem developed and create a treatment plan designed to address it appropriately.

Dr. Kendrick’s Education and Advanced Training

Dr. Kendrick earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, where he received the highest number of individual awards in the school’s history.

He continued his education at the University of Louisville through specialty training in orthodontics. After completing his orthodontic residency, he pursued further study with two highly influential figures in the profession: Dr. Robert Ricketts and Dr. Ron Roth.

Their work helped advance modern understanding of orthodontic diagnosis, facial growth, jaw relationships, treatment planning, and functional occlusion—the way the upper and lower teeth come together.

Dr. Kendrick later pursued additional residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Florida, with an emphasis on temporomandibular joint conditions and orthognathic, or corrective jaw, surgery.

This combination of orthodontic and surgical education gives him a broad understanding of tooth movement, bite function, jaw structure, and facial balance. It is especially valuable when evaluating patients with complicated alignment or jaw-related concerns.

What Does Board Certification Mean?

Dr. Kendrick is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the ABO.

Board certification is a voluntary professional achievement that extends beyond completing dental school and an orthodontic residency. It requires an orthodontist to demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical skill through the American Board of Orthodontics examination and certification process.

For patients, board certification provides another meaningful measure of a doctor’s commitment to professional standards, continued learning, and careful patient care.

It does not mean that every patient will receive the same treatment. In fact, one of the most important parts of experienced orthodontic care is recognizing that two people with similar-looking smiles may need very different treatment plans.

Experience That Helps With Complex Orthodontic Problems

After more than 45 years in orthodontics, Dr. Kendrick has evaluated and treated a wide variety of alignment, bite, and jaw concerns.

These may include:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Spaces between teeth
• Rotated or impacted teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open bites
• Jaw asymmetry
• Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
• Concerns involving the TMJ or jaw function
• Cases requiring coordinated orthodontic and surgical planning

Experience matters because orthodontic treatment involves many decisions. The appliance is only one part of the process. Accurate diagnosis, thoughtful planning, and appropriate control of tooth movement are what guide treatment.

Dr. Kendrick does not select braces or clear aligners simply because a system is new or heavily advertised. He considers the patient’s teeth, bite, jaw relationships, facial balance, lifestyle, and long-term goals before recommending an approach.

Treating the Cause, Not Just the Appearance

Parents sometimes arrive expecting to discuss one crooked tooth and leave with a much clearer understanding of their child’s development.

An adult may say, “I only want this front tooth straightened,” but that tooth may have shifted because the bite is unstable or there is not enough room. Moving it without understanding the underlying issue may not provide the most appropriate or lasting solution.

That is why Dr. Kendrick looks for the reason behind the visible problem.

Treatment may involve braces, clear aligners, growth-related guidance, expansion, monitoring, or another carefully selected approach. The recommendation depends on the diagnosis; no single appliance is right for everyone.

Dr. Kendrick also prioritizes preserving natural teeth when that is clinically appropriate. If tooth removal or another significant procedure is being considered, he explains why it may—or may not—be necessary.

Patients and parents should understand the problem, the available options, and the purpose of every recommended step.

Orthodontic Care for Children, Teens, and Adults

Every age brings different questions.

Parents may wonder whether their child is too young for an orthodontic evaluation. Teenagers are often concerned about appearance, school, sports, and how braces will feel. Adults may worry that they waited too long or that treatment will interfere with work and family responsibilities.

Dr. Kendrick treats children, teenagers, and adults, but he does not use a one-size-fits-all approach.

For a child, the right decision may be to monitor growth rather than begin treatment immediately. For a teenager, treatment planning may need to consider permanent tooth eruption, bite development, daily routines, and confidence. For an adult, the plan may involve correcting long-standing crowding, bite concerns, shifting after earlier treatment, or problems that have become more noticeable over time.

An orthodontic evaluation does not obligate anyone to begin treatment. Sometimes the most reassuring answer is, “Everything is developing normally. Let’s continue to watch it.”

A Clear and Personal Consultation

Patients should never feel that they are being rushed into a treatment decision they do not understand.

During a consultation, Dr. Kendrick examines the teeth and bite, listens to the patient’s concerns, and explains what he sees in understandable language. When appropriate, he discusses different treatment options and the advantages and limitations of each.

Patients and parents are encouraged to ask questions such as:

• What orthodontic problem do you see?
• What may have caused it?
• Does treatment need to begin now?
• What options are available?
• Why are you recommending this particular approach?
• Are braces or clear aligners more appropriate?
• How long might treatment take?
• What result can reasonably be expected?
• What happens if we decide to wait?

There should be no mystery and no pressure to arrive already knowing which appliance to choose. That is what an examination and an honest conversation are for.

Why Families Choose Dr. Kendrick

Families choose Dr. Kendrick for his experience, education, careful diagnosis, and personal attention.

Many appreciate that he:

• Is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics
• Has more than 45 years of orthodontic experience
• Completed advanced orthodontic and surgical training
• Evaluates the teeth, bite, jaws, and facial balance together
• Explains treatment recommendations clearly
• Provides individualized care for children, teens, and adults
• Considers long-term function as well as smile appearance
• Prioritizes preserving natural teeth when clinically appropriate

Just as importantly, patients want to feel heard.

A parent should be able to explain what worries them about their child’s bite. A teenager should be able to ask whether braces will affect school photographs or sports. An adult should feel comfortable admitting, “I have wanted to fix this for years, but I was nervous.”

Those are not small concerns. They are part of creating a treatment experience that works for the whole person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Kendrick

Is Dr. James Kendrick board-certified?

Yes. Dr. Kendrick is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the ABO.

How much experience does Dr. Kendrick have?

Dr. Kendrick has more than 45 years of experience in orthodontics and has helped thousands of patients work toward healthier bites and more confident smiles.

Does Dr. Kendrick treat adults?

Yes. Dr. Kendrick evaluates and treats children, teenagers, and adults. Recommendations depend on each patient’s diagnosis, health, bite, and treatment goals.

Does he provide braces and clear aligner treatment?

Dr. Kendrick evaluates patients for different orthodontic options, including braces and clear aligners. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual case.

Does Dr. Kendrick treat complicated bite and jaw problems?

His advanced orthodontic and surgical education provides a strong foundation for evaluating complex bite and jaw-related concerns. The appropriate treatment or coordination with other providers depends on the patient’s diagnosis.

Do I need a referral?

No dental referral is required to schedule an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Kendrick. Patients and parents may contact Kendrick Orthodontics directly.

Is the initial consultation free?

Kendrick Orthodontics currently offers a complimentary initial consultation. During that visit, the team can explain the examination process, possible treatment options, estimated timing, and anticipated costs based on the patient’s individual needs.

Meet Dr. James Kendrick in Kissimmee

If you are looking for an experienced, board-certified orthodontist in Kissimmee, Florida, a consultation with Dr. James Kendrick can help you understand what is happening with your teeth or bite—and what options may be available.

You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself or choose between braces and clear aligners before arriving. Bring your questions, your concerns, and the smile you have today.

Dr. Kendrick will examine the complete picture, explain his findings, and help you make an informed decision without unnecessary confusion.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Kendrick Orthodontics in Kissimmee or call (407) 870-9848 to get started.