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 "Need a Dentist" to find a dentist near you.
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 Javeriana 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
- BS University of Georgia - Athens, GA – 1994
- DDS - The University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry - Memphis, TN – 1998
- Certificate in Orthodontics - The University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry - Memphis, TN – 2007
Honors
- Certificate of Merit Award for scholastic achievement – The University of Tennessee – 1998
- Dean’s Odontological Society – The University of Tennessee – 1998
- Teledyne Water Pik Prosthodontic Award – for excellence in the study and clinical application of prosthodontics
- Xi Psi Phi Annual Scholarship Award – honors the senior with highest GPA
Professional
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- The Academy of General Dentistry
Personal
- Originally from Georgia and the son of a general dentist
- Wife – Holly; and son – Liam
- Hobbies – golfing, fishing and family time
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
Education
- Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA - 2000
- DMD Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry - Augusta, GA - 2004
- Certificate in Orthodontics and M.S. – Lexington, KY - 2005
Honors/Awards
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award
- Dean’s List Medical College of Georgia
- National Collegiate Medical Professions Award
Professional
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Association of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Northwest District Dental Association
Personal
- Enjoys traveling, ALTA tennis, & Equestrian Competition
- Married and lives in Atlanta
Education
- Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School - Lithia Springs, GA - 1996
- BS in Microbiology, University of Georgia - Athens, GA – 2000
- DMD University of Alabama School of Dentistry - Birmingham, AL – 2004
- MS and Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Florida College of Dentistry - Gainesville FL - 2007
Awards
- University of Alabama – Graduated 5th in Class
- National Dental Honor Society - Omicron Kappa Upsilon
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude – University of Georgia
Professional
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Board of Orthodontists
- Georgia Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Certified Invisalign Specialist
- Research - The Correlation of the Initiation of Nickel Sensitivity Due to Trauma During Orthodontic Treatment
Volunteer
- Dental Mission Trip, Honduras – 2003 and 2004
- Dental Screenings - Special Smiles Special Olympics – Auburn, AL – 2001, 2002, and 2003
- Dental Mission Trip - Lima, Peru – 2001 and 2002
- Youth and Children’s Minister - Sung Yahk Presbyterian Church – Canton, GA – 2001-2002
Personal
- Native of Lithia Springs, GA
- Married - Lori; Children - Caleb, Celia and Hannah
- Hobbies - cheering on the Georgia Dawgs “Between the Hedges”; tennis, golf, basketball; favorite activity is hanging out with his family
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.
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.
