Experienced Doctors
With over 150 years of combined experience, our doctors limit their practice to orthodontics and dento facial orthopedics. They have received advanced education and training to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.
Before orthodontic treatment begins, your family dentist will make certain that your teeth and gums are healthy. You should also schedule regular cleaning and cavity checkup visits with your general dentist throughout the orthodontic care period. If you do not have a general dentist, please click here for a list of our preferred dentists.
Dr. Robert N. Pickron received his undergraduate education at the University of Florida and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1964. After extensive training in orthodontics and facial growth at the University of Alabama, he received his certificate of orthodontic specialty in 1967.
Dr. Pickron has practiced orthodontics exclusively for 40 years and is CEO of Pickron Orthodontic Care, a practice with 23 offices and 13 associates. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 1975. He is an active member of the Georgia Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Pickron recently lectured at Javero University in Bogotá, Colombia on Managing the Orthodontic Practice. He has served as Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, a past member of the board of Big Brothers - Big Sisters of Atlanta and the Gwinnett Council on Child Abuse.
Born in Tampa, Florida in 1941, Dr. Pickron now resides in Duluth. He and his wife, Jade, have three children and two grandchildren. He enjoys traveling, snow boarding, kite surfing, fishing, golf and weight training.
Dr. Cesar Cardenas received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Javeriana University Dental School in 1995 and practiced general dentistry in his native home of Colombia, South America for two years. In 1997, he came to the United States and enrolled in Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduating, he practiced general dentistry for one year and then decided to join the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program at Tufts University. In 2004 he earned his certificate of Orthodontic Specialty and a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics in 2005. He was recognized for his academic achievement and extensive research in early orthodontic treatment, tooth impaction and temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
Dr. Cardenas is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association.
After living in Boston for almost eight years, where he was an orthodontic associate with Dr. Marcel Korn, Dr. Cardenas and his wife Estela moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He has practiced orthodontics exclusively in the metro area for two years. They enjoy traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Candace Castillo received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada in 1997 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2001 from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. She received many scholastic achievement awards; including the Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Award. After graduation, she continued her studies at Howard University for an additional two years and received her Certificate in Orthodontics. She was on the dean’s list for high academic achievement for four years and received the Louise C. Ball Scholarship award for outstanding postgraduate orthodontic work.
Dr. Castillo was an Associate Orthodontist with Dr. K. Hodges in Pennsylvania before joining Pickron Orthodontic Care. She is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. She also finds time to volunteer for dental screenings, mentor and sponsor at risk children and has worked with Colgate’s Inner City Health Program in Washington, D.C. for five years.
The Canadian native and world traveler now resides in Atlanta. She enjoys reading, playing volleyball, weight training and cooking.
Education
- Orthodontics Residency University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - Lincoln, NE - 2007
- MS University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - 2007
- Certificate in Orthodontics University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry - 2007
- DDS University of California, Los Angeles College of Dentistry - Los Angeles, CA - 2005
- BA in Medical Biology University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT - 2001
Honors/Awards
- Graduated Cum Laude, UCLA College of Dentistry
- Dean’s Honor list, UCLA College of Dentistry
- Dean’s Honor list, University of Utah and UCLA
- Charley Schultz Resident Scholar, UNMC
Professional
- Certified by the American Board of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- UNMC College of Dentistry - Staff
- UCLA College of Dentistry - Mentor for foreign dentists
Personal
- Fluent in English and Portuguese (lived in Brazil 1996-1998)
- Hobbies – golf, basketball and spending time with family
Dr. William K. Farrar has practiced orthodontics exclusively for more than 35 years. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Dentistry and received his Master’s in Dentistry and certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. He represented WVU at the American Dental Association Annual Session in 1962, and has been presenting table clinics and round table discussions at national meetings for the past four decades.
As a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists, he is a board certified orthodontist and an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.
Dr. Farrar maintained one of the largest orthodontic practices in Cobb and Cherokee counties before joining Pickron Orthodontic Care. Among his many achievements in the field of orthodontics was the development of the Flatbow retainer wire and plastic face shield currently used as a standard sterilization measure. He also founded an orthodontic supply company, Centric Orthodontics, and authored the newsletter, Orthodontic Excellence.
Dr. Farrar is an Honorary Alumnus of Brigham Young University and served for three years in Colorado as a Mission President for his church. The Atlanta Journal Constitution recognized him as an "Unsung Hero" for his accomplishments in table tennis, a national level champion. His wife of 45 years, Judy Pope, of Acworth passed away in December 2005. They have 6 children and 14 grandchildren. He married Judy Wilkens on December 29, 2006 and they have 11 children and 18 grandchildren between them. They reside in Kennesaw. Father, grandfather, orthodontist, marathon runner, weekend golfer, author, inventor, lecturer, occasional skier, and church public communications director…Dr. Farrar is a man of many interests.
Dr. Bryant Lambert received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from State University of New York in 1995 and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1999. He was one of a few select students awarded externships at the Buffalo Children's Hospital Pediatric Dental Clinic and Dade County Jackson Memorial Hospital Oral Surgery Clinic. He completed his general practice residency in 2000 at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia.
Dr. Lambert maintained a private dental practice in Conyers, Georgia before joining Pickron Orthodontic Care in 2002. Although he is not an orthodontist, Dr. Lambert has extensive training in orthodontics and is a certified Invisalign specialist. He is an active member of the American Dental Association.
A Georgia native, Dr. Lambert grew up in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York and now resides in Atlanta. He spends most of his free time with family and enjoys traveling, running and snow skiing. He is also an avid Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons fan.
Dr. David Lofters received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama in 1996. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2001 from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C., and then studied an additional two years to earn his Certificate in Orthodontics in 2003. He received many educational honors including, National Dean’s List, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was one of a few select students inducted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
Dr. Lofters has been practicing orthodontics exclusively in the Atlanta area for two years and is an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists.
A Toronto, Canada native, Dr. Lofters now resides in Marietta. Although he trained in classical piano for 12 years and loves the Fine Arts, drawing and painting, you may also find him on the court, as his sport of choice is basketball.
Dr. Ross R. Russell graduated from Auburn University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was awarded the distinction of Magna Cum Laude due to his high level of academic achievement. In 2000, he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also received many distinctive awards during his academic career and was one of a few select students inducted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. After graduation, he studied an additional three years to earn a certificate of Orthodontic Specialty and a Master’s degree in dental materials from the University of Kentucky in 2003.
He has practiced orthodontics exclusively in the Atlanta area since 2003, is Board Eligible with the American Association of Orthodontists and a member of many local, regional and national dental organizations. Dr. Russell has also gained national recognition for publishing scientific papers and lecturing at orthodontic conferences.
The Albany native now resides in Atlanta with his wife, Missi, and is looking forward to establishing themselves in the community. He enjoys spending his free time playing golf, fishing and inventing.
Dr. Greg A. Shoup was born in Galion, Ohio in 1953 and studied dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia. He earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry in 1983 then studied an additional two years to earn a Certificate of Orthodontic Specialty from Emory University.
Dr. Shoup has 22 years experience in the exclusive practice of orthodontics. Trained at Emory University, Dr. Shoup’s specialty within the discipline of orthodontics is early treatment and facial growth. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontics and the Georgia Dental Association.
The Ohio native resides in Snellville with his wife and children. He enjoys golf, snow boarding, travel and spending time with his family. Dr. Shoup is an active member of the Snellville United Methodist Church.
Dr. Doug Singleton served in the United States Marine Corp from 1987 to 1993 and served active duty in 1991 during Desert Storm. He also graduated in 1991 from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he worked for a Fortune 300 company for six years before deciding to fulfill his dream of becoming an orthodontist. His dream took him to the University of Tennessee Dental School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated with “highest honors” in 2001. He then studied an additional two years to receive his Master’s degree from Texas A & M University in Dallas, Texas, and his Certificate in Orthodontics from Baylor College of Dentistry in 2003.
A Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. Singleton, has practiced orthodontics exclusively in the area since 2001. He received the Milo Hellman Award from the American Association of Orthodontist in 2004 for his research, which was deemed to contribute most to the advancement of the art and science of orthodontics. He has also gained recognition for his lectures on growth hormone deficiencies and craniofacial growth of children at orthodontic conferences.
Dr. Singleton is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the Georgia Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
His first choice for recreation is spending time with his wife, Becky, and their children, Cole, Micaela and Athen. Dr. Singleton also enjoys playing golf, hunting, and running.
Dr. Walton is an orthodontic specialist with over 15 years of experience. He attended Marist High School in Atlanta and earned an athletic scholarship to play baseball at the University of Georgia. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Dentistry. He was also selected UGA male scholar-athlete of the year in 1981 for having the highest GPA.
Dr. Walton continued on to attend the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry for four years, where he earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry degree, among the top five in his class. Then he headed to Boston, MA to complete his orthodontic residency at the prestigious Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry at Boston University.
Dr. Walton is one of a few orthodontists, worldwide, certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. He is also a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the Georgia Association of Orthodontists, and the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontists. Dr. Walton has also been acknowledged in the American Journal of Orthodontics for his research on temporomandibular joint tomography.
He is the eldest of six siblings and grew up in Davenport IO, San Diego CA, and Atlanta GA. According to Dr. Walton, his greatest achievements have come on the personal side of his life. He is married to a wonderful woman, Laura, and has three active young boys: Garrett (10), Kelton (7), and Colin (3). Other than spending quality time with his family, Dr. Walton enjoys all sports activities - including snow skiing, listening to music and collecting historical autographs.
Education
- BS Pacific Lutheran University - Tacoma, WA - 1994
- DMD Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry - Augusta, GA - 2004
- Certificate in Orthodontics Medical College of Georgia - 2006
Honors/Awards
- Soccer Scholarship – Pacific Lutheran University
- Thomas P. Hinman Dental Scholar Award – Medical College of Georgia
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon – National Dental Honor Society
Professional
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Certified Invisalign Specialist
Personal
- Originally from Spokane, WA
- Wife – Debi; daughters – Summer, Victoria, and Sarah Grace
- Hobbies – soccer, running, golf, and spending time with family
Dr. Javonne White received her Bachelor of Science degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1995 and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College-School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee in 2000. She then studied an additional three years to receive a Master’s degree in Oral Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago-Graduate College in Chicago, Illinois and a Postdoctoral degree in the specialty of Orthodontics. She graduated Cum Laude, was on the National Dean’s List and inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Dental Society.
Dr. White is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association and the National Dental Association.
A native of North Carolina, Dr. White now resides in Atlanta. She enjoys reading, tennis, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Javid Yavari was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the United States in 1985. After attending Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, he attended the Medical College of Georgia, graduating in 1995 with a graduate DMD dental degree. He remained at the University for a general practice residency for one year before continuing his education. He received his postgraduate certificate in Orthodontics and a Masters in oral biology from the Medical College of Georgia, graduating in 1998.
He and his wife, Connie, have two children and they reside in Atlanta. He enjoys tennis and swimming, but his favorite pastime is spending time with his children.
