Dr. Sophia Updike

Dr. Updike brings a unique scientific background to the art of perfecting smiles. Before she was an orthodontist, she was a biologist at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This foundation in rigorous scientific inquiry shapes every aspect of her clinical practice today.

For Dr. Updike, orthodontics is not merely about straightening teeth; it is a discipline of biomechanical engineering. She approaches every case with the analytical rigor of a scientist and the aesthetic eye of an architect.

Education & Training

Her journey to mastery involved over a decade of elite education:

• Caltech: Bachelor of Science in Biology.
• UCLA: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), graduating with Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors.
• USC: Orthodontic Certificate & MS in Craniofacial Biology.
• Mayo Clinic: Internship (TMJ Focus).

Philosophy of Care

Confidence is the outcome. Clarity is the method.

Dr. Updike believes that a smile is the most enduring signal of a person’s confidence. By combining evidence-based treatment protocols with a warm, patient-centered culture, she has built Updike Orthodontics into Irvine’s premier destination for principled care.

Professional Leadership

As a Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Updike has achieved a level of certification reached by only a minority of orthodontists in the United States. She is an active member of the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists and the Edward H. Angle Society, contributing to the advancement of the field.

When not in the clinic, Dr. Updike can be found hiking the trails of Orange County or mentoring students interested in STEM careers.