Meet Dr. Zoey Gutierrez-Nickel
Dr. Zoey Gutierrez-Nickel, DDS, MS, is a Vero Beach native who returned home to the beautiful Treasure Coast after completing her education.
Education and Orthodontic Training Background
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Florida State University, graduating cum laude in 2014. Inspired by the blend of science and artistry involved in creating confident smiles, Dr. Zoey pursued orthodontics and attended the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. During dental school, she was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society for excellence in scholarship, service, and character. It was also there that she met her husband, Dr. Andrew Nickel, a local Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist.
Advanced Orthodontic Residency and Specialized Training
Dr. Zoey was selected as one of only six residents in the highly competitive orthodontic residency program at the University of Southern California. She completed three years of advanced orthodontic training, earning both a Master’s Degree in Craniofacial Biology and a Certificate in Orthodontics. While at USC, she trained alongside world-renowned orthodontists and innovators behind technologies such as Invisalign and InBrace.
Following residency, Dr. Zoey achieved Diplomate status with the American Board of Orthodontics, reflecting her dedication to excellence and the highest standard of orthodontic care.
Treatment Philosophy
Dr. Zoey is passionate about the confidence that comes from a healthy, beautiful smile. She focuses on more than straightening teeth—carefully designing each treatment to complement a patient’s facial aesthetics, functional needs, and long-term oral health.
With advanced training in facial growth and jaw development, Dr. Zoey provides expert orthodontic care for children, adolescents, and adults. She has extensive experience treating patients with both Invisalign® and traditional braces, using her in-depth knowledge of Invisalign technology to design efficient, customized treatment plans that deliver exceptional results. Dr. Zoey also offers interdisciplinary orthodontic care, collaborating closely with restorative dentists to optimize bite alignment and tooth positioning, including preparation for missing tooth replacement.
Outside the Office
Outside the office, Dr. Zoey enjoys spending time with her daughter, Renley, and her Golden Retriever, Samo. She loves surfing, snowboarding, and any opportunity to be in or near the ocean with friends and family.
