Thomas Gessel

South Tacoma’s orthodontic options include a second-floor office on Mildred Street, just off Pacific Avenue. The address—1628 S Mildred St #201—puts it in a stretch of the city where medical offices share space with older apartment buildings and the occasional coffee stand. Orthodontics isn’t exactly a walk-in service, but the location is central enough for those coming from nearby neighborhoods or even Lakewood. Parking in the area tends to follow the usual Tacoma rules: street spots fill up fast, so plan accordingly.

Braces, aligners, and retainers make up the core of what they handle, along with the less glamorous but necessary follow-ups—adjustments, repairs, and the occasional emergency wire snip. Orthodontic work isn’t the kind of thing people shop around for on impulse, but when the time comes, having an office that deals with both kids and adults simplifies the logistics. Some places specialize in one age group; this one doesn’t. That’s about as much as the Google Business Profile lets on without diving into patient testimonials or before-and-after galleries.

Booking a consultation usually starts with a call—(253) 503-1023 is the number to use for that. First visits often involve more paperwork than actual treatment, but that’s standard across the field. What isn’t standard is how little fanfare some of these offices have online; no flashy websites, no Instagram feeds of smiling patients. In a way, it’s refreshing—just an address, a phone, and the assumption that anyone who needs an orthodontist already knows what they’re looking for.

Directions are best pulled from the map listing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the one-way streets around Mildred. The building itself is unremarkable from the outside—a detail that, honestly, says more about Tacoma’s no-frills approach to professional spaces than anything else. No neon signs, no valets, just a suite number and the quiet understanding that orthodontic work is a long-term commitment, not a quick stop.