Welcome to Fulton
Searching for an orthodontist near Fulton, MD who treats every patient like a neighbor? At Esi Orthodontics, our board-certified orthodontist creates healthy, beautiful smiles for children, teens, and adults throughout southern Howard County. We offer Invisalign and Invisalign for Teens, traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and lingual braces, along with interceptive treatment such as palatal expanders and habit appliances for younger patients.
Getting to us is easy. From Fulton, head south on Route 29, cross the Patuxent River into Burtonsville, and you’ll find our office at 3915 National Drive, Suite 150. Most Fulton patients reach us in about 10 minutes, and our early morning and evening appointments make it simple to fit orthodontic care around school and work.
A Brief History of Fulton
Long before Fulton had a name, Indigenous peoples, likely the Piscataway, hunted and farmed the land along the Patuxent River. In 1700, surveyor Thomas Browne, known as the “Patuxent Ranger,” completed the first European survey of the area. Over the following century, tracts of land changed hands among well-known Maryland families, including Quaker landowner Richard Snowden and, later, Rezin Hammond.
Farming shaped the community from the start. In 1839, Heinrich Iager bought 108 acres that grew into Maple Lawn Farms, and German immigrants who arrived in 1855 strengthened the area’s agricultural roots. By 1871, those families had founded St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, which still stands as one of Fulton’s historic places of worship.
The crossroads became a true town center in 1874, when Richard Waters opened a blacksmith shop and post office. Locals called the spot “Water’s Store” until March 28, 1882, when the community was renamed Fulton in honor of Charles C. Fulton, a popular editor at The Baltimore Sun.
Fulton remained largely rural well into the 20th century. The Iager family began raising free-range turkeys in 1938, a tradition that made Maple Lawn Farms a household name. In the early 2000s, part of that farmland became Maple Lawn, a walkable neighborhood with homes, offices, and a Main Street-style shopping district. Fulton’s population nearly tripled between 2010 and 2020, reaching almost 6,000 residents.
Living and Working in Fulton
Fulton offers the rare combination of small-town charm and big-city access. Downtown Baltimore sits about 21 miles to the northeast, Washington, D.C., is roughly 19 miles south, and Columbia is just 5 miles up Route 29. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory borders the community, and the office buildings at Maple Lawn house a range of corporate employers, so many residents enjoy short commutes.
Families appreciate local schools such as Fulton Elementary, Lime Kiln Middle, and Reservoir High, all part of the Howard County Public School System. With more than half of local households raising children, Fulton feels like a neighborhood where kids ride bikes, families gather for community events, and neighbors know each other by name.
The Must-Sees of Fulton
Discover great local spots just minutes from our Burtonsville practice:
- Maple Lawn Boulevard: The neighborhood’s “Main Street” features boutiques, specialty shops, and cafes, including Decadent Dessert Bar, a local favorite for coffee and baked treats.
- Ananda: This elegant Indian restaurant earns praise from Baltimore Magazine for dishes like chicken korma and lamb vindaloo, plus a popular daily “bliss hour.”
- Galliano Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar: A welcoming spot on Maple Lawn Boulevard for classic Italian dishes and a relaxed evening out.
- Maple Lawn Farms: The Iager family farm has operated since 1839 and remains famous across the region for its free-range holiday turkeys.
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: Built in the 1870s by German farming families, this historic church offers a glimpse into Fulton’s early days.
- Rocky Gorge Reservoir: Just south of Fulton along the Patuxent River, this scenic reservoir draws nature lovers for walking, birdwatching, and fishing with the proper permit.
Ready for a Smile You Can’t Stop Showing Off?
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a patient who once hid their smile light up with confidence. Whether your child needs an early evaluation or you’ve been thinking about Invisalign for yourself, our caring team is here to help. We accept many insurance plans, including MetLife, Aetna, Delta Dental, Cigna, and Guardian, and we offer CareCredit and in-house financing to keep treatment affordable. Call Esi Orthodontics or use our appointment request form to schedule your consultation. We’re proud to serve the Fulton community and can’t wait to meet you!
