Specialties
We are a general dentistry practice in Walnut Creek that also specializes in both cosmetic and functional reconstructions, and unique types of orthodontics and airway treatment.
Cosmetic: Dr. Hockel has advanced training and artistic experience in helping you achieve the smile you want, and maintaining healthy bite function too. Ceramic and resin materials, tooth whitening and tooth reshaping, are all options to consider.
Orthodontics: Dr. Hockel does not extract teeth for orthodontics, and will often open spaces back up. Why? The simple reason is that the airway, jaw joint and appearance often require it. We focus on the actual causes of crooked teeth, jaw and bite problems, and try to resolve these causes. Both kids and adults can benefit from tooth-straightening like that.
Orthotropics: A type of treatment called Orthotropics is an amazing way to help children look and feel their best by optimizing their growth direction. Kids often grow too much vertically, having weak jaws and gummy smiles. Ask us how an Orthotropic appliance can help your child both with optimal (forward) jaw growth and a bigger airway!
Sleep Apnea: Our goal in sleep apnea care is to help you or your child open your airway. Dr. Hockel has a special interest in treating airway problems that range from snoring to Upper Airway Resistance to actual sleep apnea – problems which are often related to jaw joint dysfunctions. CPAP, oral appliances and surgery are options usually discussed by the typical doctor, but there’s a lot more to consider.
History – Established in 1959
Dr. Brian Hockel:
My dad, Dr. Jack Hockel, is a retired dentist who practiced from 1959 to 2002. He taught me dental lab work when I was 17 years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since. He’s very meticulous and is a perfectionist, but has a love for people, and I think he gave me those genes. Our practice has combined reconstructive dentistry and orthodontics since the 60’s. I joined him in 1989, after graduating at the top of my UCSF class clinically.
We’re in a remodeled farm house that is next door to where I grew up. I knew Mr. and Mrs. Casey, the couple who lived in this house, and I’m grateful to be in such a beautiful and historic setting. We take pride in keeping the place comfortable.
My brother Steve works here too, in “Hockel Dental Lab.” Many doctors depend on him for his high quality lab work.
We have evolved in the reconstruction arena by incorporating the state of the art in cosmetic results. In orthodontics, we’ve branched out with a focus on airway, both in kids and adults.
The future is bright – maybe one of my 11 kids will carry on the tradition!
Life Dental & Orthodontics
Read the story behind our practice name here.
Meet the Business Owner: Dr. Hockel
Dr. Brian Hockel is a graduate of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry, where he received numerous awards in clinical expertise, and was Clinical Professor after graduation in 1989. Even while a senior in high school, he learned lab procedures for gnathological bite reconstruction, and became a Certified Dental Technician. He was the top of his dental school class in technical performance and is a lifetime member of OKU. He focuses on cosmetic, reconstructive, orthotropic and orthodontic care, blending experience in cosmetic smile design, orthodontics for adults and children, orthotropic growth guidance, treatment of sleep disorders, and gnathological occlusion. Dr. Hockel is on the Board of Directors of the AAGO and the NAAFO, is a member of the AACD and the Int’l Orthotropics Association. He has published in orthodontic journals, he teaches orthodontic courses for doctors, and has lectured nationally and internationally. Dr. Hockel resides with his wife Beth and their eleven children – six boys and five girls.