If you are searching for an orthodontist near me, the question is often as much about who should do the treatment as what type of treatment to get. Most general dentists now offer clear aligner therapy, while orthodontists complete an additional 2 to 3 years of accredited residency training focused exclusively on tooth movement, jaw growth, and bite correction. The decision between general dentist aligner therapy, an orthodontist, or a direct-to-consumer aligner service has real implications for outcomes, especially in moderate to complex cases. Knowing the credentialing landscape and the typical pricing will help you choose well.
What an Orthodontist Is and What They Do
Orthodontists are dentists (DDS or DMD) who completed an additional 2- to 3-year accredited residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Board certification is offered through the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO-Ortho), which is distinct from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery despite the similar acronym. ABO-Ortho certification is voluntary, requires written and clinical exams, and is held by roughly a third of practicing orthodontists.
Orthodontists treat malocclusion (bad bite), crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, jaw discrepancies, impacted teeth, missing teeth (planning for restorative work), TMJ-related occlusal issues, and orthodontic preparation for orthognathic (jaw) surgery. Treatment options include traditional metal braces, ceramic (clear) braces, lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces, clear aligners (Invisalign and similar systems), retainers, expanders, and various functional appliances. Many orthodontists treat both children and adults; some specialize in early intervention for children with growing jaws.
When to See an Orthodontist
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to identify problems early, even though active treatment usually starts later. Common reasons in children include crowded or crooked teeth, persistent thumb-sucking effects, crossbites, and jaw growth concerns. In adolescents, full braces or aligner therapy is most common for crowding, bite correction, and pre-restorative alignment.
Adult orthodontics is a growing share of practice volume, with many adults pursuing aligner therapy for cosmetic improvement or to address bite issues missed earlier in life. Adults considering implants, crowns, or veneers often see an orthodontist first to align teeth into ideal positions before restorative work, coordinated with their general dentist. Children with special considerations often start with a pediatric dentist who refers to orthodontics when appropriate.
How to Find an Orthodontist Near You
The American Association of Orthodontists Find an Orthodontist tool at aaoinfo.org lists AAO-member orthodontists by zip code. AAO membership requires completion of an accredited orthodontic residency, which is the credential to confirm. The American Board of Orthodontics directory at americanboardortho.com lists ABO-certified orthodontists.
Most orthodontic practices offer free initial consultations, which makes comparison shopping practical. Asking three practices for evaluations and treatment plans gives you a sense of variability in approach, treatment duration, and cost. Practices vary in technology (3D scanning vs traditional impressions, advanced imaging) and in office culture, both of which matter over a 12- to 30-month treatment.
How to Verify Credentials
Verify the DDS or DMD degree and state dental license through your state dental board. Confirm completion of an accredited orthodontic residency through the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the AAO directory. ABO-Ortho board certification at americanboardortho.com is an additional credential signaling voluntary commitment to standards beyond minimum requirements.
Ask whether the office is staffed by an orthodontic specialist or by a general dentist. Many “orthodontic” practices in retail or DSO chains are general dentists offering aligner therapy. Both can produce acceptable results in straightforward cases, but for moderate to complex orthodontic problems (severe crowding, significant bite issues, jaw discrepancies, impacted canines, multiple missing teeth), specialist training meaningfully matters.
Treatment Options Compared
Traditional metal braces remain the most predictable option for complex cases involving rotations, vertical movement, and significant bite correction. Modern self-ligating brackets reduce friction and may shorten visit intervals. Ceramic (clear or tooth-colored) braces offer a more discreet appearance with similar mechanics, though they are slightly more fragile and stain-prone. Lingual braces (placed behind the teeth) are nearly invisible from the front but cost more, take longer to adjust to, and are not appropriate for every case.
Clear aligners (Invisalign, Spark, ClearCorrect, and others) work well for mild to moderate alignment issues and certain bite corrections. They are removable, which improves oral hygiene and dietary flexibility but requires patient discipline; aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours per day to track properly. Aligner technology has expanded substantially in the past decade, and skilled providers can now treat a wider range of cases than the early systems handled. For complex tooth movements (significant rotations, large vertical changes, severe overbites or underbites), aligners often require attachments and elastics or hybrid treatment with brief use of braces.
For children with growing jaws, early-phase orthodontics may include palatal expanders, functional appliances, and partial braces to guide jaw development before adult teeth fully erupt. This first phase typically lasts 6 to 12 months and is followed by a resting period before comprehensive treatment in adolescence. Surgical orthodontics, where orthognathic surgery is combined with orthodontic alignment, addresses severe skeletal discrepancies that braces or aligners alone cannot correct, and is performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons working alongside the orthodontist.
Costs and Insurance Considerations
Average orthodontic treatment costs in the US run $3,000 to $7,000 for traditional metal or ceramic braces and $3,000 to $8,000 for Invisalign or other clear aligner therapy in an orthodontic office. Limited treatment for minor cosmetic correction may run $1,500 to $3,500. Lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces and complex multi-phase treatment can run $8,000 to $13,000. General dentist aligner therapy, when offered, often costs less than orthodontist-supervised aligner treatment, sometimes $2,000 to $5,000 for limited cases.
Direct-to-consumer aligner services (SmileDirectClub historically, byte, and others) advertised lower prices ($1,500 to $2,500) but with significantly less in-person evaluation and supervision; outcomes and consumer protection issues have been mixed, and several companies have faced regulatory scrutiny or bankruptcy. Dental insurance often includes a separate orthodontic benefit, typically a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $3,000, often with an age cutoff (commonly 19, though adult coverage is increasingly available). HSA and FSA funds can be used for orthodontics. Our healthcare costs guide covers how dental and medical insurance differ.
Telehealth Options for Orthodontics
Orthodontics integrates telehealth more heavily than most dental specialties. Many practices use apps and photo monitoring (Dental Monitoring, Invisalign Virtual Care) for routine check-ins between in-office visits, which can substantially reduce the number of in-person appointments without compromising care quality. Initial consultations can begin by video for some patients, with in-person follow-up for scanning and bonding.
Bonding brackets, bonding aligner attachments, taking 3D scans, and adjustments still happen in person. Direct-to-consumer aligner services replace most in-person care with remote monitoring, which works for some simple cases but has been associated with treatment failures and complications in moderate to complex cases. Our telehealth guide covers what to expect from virtual care and where its limits sit.
Adult Orthodontics Considerations
Adult orthodontic patients now make up roughly 25% of orthodontic practice. The biology is different from adolescent treatment in important ways. Adult bone is denser and tooth movement is somewhat slower, which often extends treatment time by a few months relative to a teen with similar alignment needs. Adults are more likely to have existing restorations (crowns, bridges, implants), gum disease, or worn teeth that require coordination with the general dentist before, during, and after orthodontics.
Periodontal health is particularly important. Active periodontal disease should be controlled before orthodontic forces are applied; otherwise, tooth movement can accelerate bone loss. Many adult orthodontic plans include a periodontal cleaning before treatment starts and quarterly cleanings during treatment to manage plaque accumulation around brackets or aligner attachments. Adults considering implants often see an orthodontist first to align teeth into ideal positions before implant placement.
For adults with significant skeletal discrepancies (severe overbite, underbite, asymmetry), orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontics offers correction that orthodontics alone cannot achieve. The treatment timeline involves 12 to 18 months of pre-surgical orthodontics to align teeth, jaw surgery, and 6 to 12 months of post-surgical refinement. The combined approach is significant but produces durable results in carefully selected patients.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
Bring prior dental records, X-rays, and any orthodontic history. List current medications and medical conditions; bisphosphonates, certain immunosuppressants, and uncontrolled diabetes can affect orthodontic treatment. Note any history of TMJ pain, sleep apnea, or jaw surgery.
Be ready to discuss treatment goals concretely. “I want straighter teeth” is harder to plan around than “I want to fix my front-tooth crowding and the gap on the right side.” Ask the orthodontist for a written treatment plan covering treatment options, estimated duration, total cost (including retainers), payment plans, what is included for treatment delays or aligner replacements, and what happens if you move or change practices mid-treatment. Plan for retainers; without lifelong retention, teeth typically shift back to some degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see an orthodontist or my general dentist for aligners?
For straightforward cosmetic alignment, both can produce reasonable results. For moderate to complex cases (significant crowding, bite correction, jaw discrepancies, impacted teeth), an orthodontic specialist is generally better equipped. Ask any provider how many similar cases they have completed.
How long does treatment take?
Most comprehensive orthodontic treatment runs 18 to 30 months. Limited or cosmetic treatment may run 6 to 12 months. Aligners and braces typically have similar timelines for similar cases, though aligners require strict daily wear (20 to 22 hours).
Do braces or aligners hurt?
Both cause discomfort, especially in the first few days after placement or after each adjustment or new aligner tray. Over-the-counter pain relievers and orthodontic wax help. Most patients adapt within a week.
Are direct-to-consumer aligners safe?
For very simple cosmetic cases in healthy mouths, they may produce acceptable results at lower cost. The trade-offs are minimal in-person evaluation, no monitoring of root resorption or periodontal effects, and limited recourse if treatment goes wrong. Several companies have faced consumer protection actions and bankruptcies. Caveat emptor.
What about retainers?
Retainers are essentially lifelong. Teeth shift naturally over time, and orthodontic correction without long-term retention typically relapses to some degree. Most orthodontists recommend full-time retainer wear for the first 6 to 12 months and nighttime wear indefinitely.
The Bottom Line
An orthodontist near you brings 2 to 3 years of additional residency training in tooth movement and bite correction beyond a dentist’s degree. For moderate to complex orthodontic problems, this matters meaningfully. Verify completion of an accredited orthodontic residency through AAO membership, look for ABO-Ortho board certification as added vetting, and compare written treatment plans from multiple practices before committing. Direct-to-consumer aligners are tempting on price but carry real risks for anything beyond minor cosmetic alignment.