The best way to choose an orthodontist is to start with training. From there, compare how clearly each office diagnoses your case, explains your treatment options, and spells out the full fee. Orthodontic treatment means regular visits over many months, so the provider you pick affects your comfort, your schedule, and your final result.
Training comes first because not every office that offers braces is run by an orthodontic specialist. Orthodontists complete an additional 24 to 36 months of accredited training after dental school, focused entirely on how teeth move and how jaws develop. That extra education matters most when a case involves bite problems or jaw growth, not just crooked teeth.
Below, I walk through how to verify that training, what a good consultation looks like, which questions to ask before you commit, and how to compare fees so you can weigh each office on equal footing.
Key Takeaways
- Start with training: Orthodontists complete 24 to 36 months of accredited specialty training after dental school. Only orthodontists can be members of the American Association of Orthodontists, so membership is a quick way to confirm a provider is a specialist.
- Use the consultation to judge the office: A good consultation includes a thorough exam, a diagnosis explained in plain language, and a clear comparison of your treatment options, such as metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign.
- Ask direct questions before you commit: Find out who will oversee your care at each visit, how long treatment should take, how emergencies are handled, and what happens if treatment runs longer than planned.
- Compare what the fee includes, not just the price: An all-inclusive fee should cover your appliances, regular appointments, emergency visits, and retainers after treatment. Ask about payment plans and check your insurance benefits ahead of time.
- Visit two or three offices: Seeing more than one orthodontist gives you a basis for comparison. The right choice is the one who listens, explains clearly, and offers a plan that fits your life.
Why Does It Matter If Your Orthodontist Is a Specialist?
It matters because an orthodontist has completed an accredited residency devoted entirely to moving teeth and correcting bites, and a general dentist who offers braces has not. A general dental license allows dentists to offer braces and aligners, so the training behind the person planning your care is what separates one office from the next.
That training makes a difference in four ways:
- Bite correction, not just straightening: A stable result depends on how your upper and lower teeth meet, not only on how straight they look. Planning for both is one of the clearest differences between an orthodontist and a dentist when it comes to braces.
- Timing for growing kids: Some bite and jaw issues are easier to guide while a child is still growing. A specialist is trained to recognize when early treatment helps and when waiting is the better call.
- Complex adult cases: Adults with crowding, spacing, or bite problems often need a plan that goes beyond lining up teeth. Specialist training covers those cases in depth.
- A credential you can verify: Only orthodontists who complete an accredited residency can join the national orthodontic association, so membership confirms specialist training before you book.
Checking takes a few minutes. Search the association’s member locator, confirm the license is active through California’s Department of Consumer Affairs license search, and ask at your consultation whether the doctor completed a full orthodontic residency.
Every treatment plan in my office starts with the full picture. I’m a specialist orthodontist and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. Before recommending braces or Invisalign, I look at how your teeth, bite, and jaw work together.
Once you know a provider has the right training, the consultation shows you how they put it to work.
What Should You Look For at an Orthodontic Consultation?
A good orthodontic consultation should leave you with a clear diagnosis, a comparison of your treatment options, and a realistic timeline and fee. If you leave with only a price quote, you didn’t get enough information to make a decision.
A thorough first visit covers these five things:
- A complete exam and records: The orthodontist should examine your teeth, bite, and jaw and take X-rays or photos before recommending anything. A plan made without records is a guess.
- A diagnosis in plain language: You should understand what’s happening with your bite and why treatment is recommended, not just hear that your teeth “need straightening.”
- Your treatment options compared: When more than one approach could work, the orthodontist should explain the tradeoffs, such as metal braces versus Invisalign, and how each fits your daily routine.
- A realistic timeline: You should know roughly how long treatment will take and how often you’ll need appointments.
- The total fee and payment options: The full cost should be on the table before you’re asked to commit.
Notice how the visit feels, too. You’ll be returning for regular appointments throughout treatment, so it matters whether the orthodontist listened to your concerns or rushed through a script.
At my office, the first visit is a complimentary consultation that includes an exam and a one-on-one conversation with me, with no obligation to start treatment. I explain what I see, walk through the options that make sense for your case, and answer your questions in English or Spanish.
Coming prepared with a few specific questions makes that conversation even more useful.
What Questions Should You Ask an Orthodontist Before Starting Treatment?
The most useful questions to ask an orthodontist cover who will manage your care, why a specific treatment is being recommended, how long it will take, and what happens if plans change. Clear, specific answers show an office that plans carefully. Vague answers are worth noticing before you commit to months of treatment.
Bring these questions to your consultation, and listen for answers like these:
| Question to Ask | What a Good Answer Includes |
| Will I see the orthodontist at every visit? | Who checks your progress at each appointment and which steps assistants handle |
| Why are you recommending this treatment for me? | A diagnosis tied to your specific bite and teeth, not a one-size-fits-all plan |
| How long will treatment take, and how often will I come in? | An estimated time range and a typical appointment schedule |
| What happens if treatment takes longer than planned? | Whether extra time changes your fee, ideally stated in writing |
| How do you handle emergencies between visits? | Who to call, how soon you can be seen, and whether emergency visits cost extra |
| What do I need to do to stay on track? | Specific instructions, such as aligner wear time, elastics, and cleaning around brackets |
If an office can’t answer these clearly, take that as a sign to keep comparing.
The first question matters most to me. I’m the only orthodontist in my practice, so I personally review your progress at every visit instead of passing your care between doctors. Every clinical assistant on my team is a registered dental assistant with more than 10 years of experience, so the same skilled people know your case from start to finish.
Cost is often the first thing patients ask about, and it deserves a closer look of its own.
How Should You Compare Orthodontic Fees Between Offices?
Compare orthodontic fees by what each quote includes, not just the total. Two offices can quote similar prices and cover very different things, so the lowest number upfront isn’t always the lowest cost by the end of treatment.
The biggest factors in how much braces cost are the type of appliance, the complexity of your case, and how long treatment takes. The clearest way to compare offices is to ask whether each quote is an all-inclusive fee, meaning one that covers your braces or aligners, every appointment, emergency visits, and retainers after treatment. Those last two items can add up quickly when they’re billed separately.
When you have quotes side by side, check these points:
- What’s included: Each quote should list the same items so you’re comparing like with like.
- Payment options: Ask whether the office offers monthly payment plans or third-party financing.
- Pre-tax accounts: Find out whether you can use HSA or FSA funds toward treatment.
- Insurance estimates: Ask the office to factor in your orthodontic benefits so the quote reflects your real out-of-pocket cost.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
Many dental plans include orthodontic benefits, but coverage varies widely. Some plans cover orthodontics only for children, and plans that include it usually pay up to a lifetime maximum rather than the full fee. Before your consultation, call your insurer and ask whether your plan includes orthodontic benefits, what the lifetime maximum is, and whether any age limits apply.
My office offers a payment plan and accepts CareCredit, so you can spread the cost of treatment over time. Because insurance plans differ, call my office before your visit, and my team can help you check your orthodontic benefits.
Fees tell you how a practice runs its business. Experience tells you about the person behind it.
Does Experience Matter When Choosing an Orthodontist?
Experience matters because an orthodontist who has practiced for years has treated a wider range of cases and built a track record you can check. Years in practice alone don’t guarantee quality, but a long-standing practice with consistent patient feedback gives you something solid to judge.
Patient reviews are the easiest way to see that track record. As you read them, keep these points in mind:
- Look for patterns: One negative review is normal. The same complaint across several reviews, such as long waits or poor communication, deserves attention.
- Read how the office responds: Thoughtful replies to criticism show how a practice handles problems when they come up.
- Focus on recent reviews: Staff and policies change, so the last year or two says the most about current care.
- Value the details: Reviews that mention a specific treatment, result, or team member tell you more than a one-line rating.
Local reputation is worth weighing too. An orthodontist who has served the same community for years relies on word of mouth from families, which ties their name directly to the results patients see.
I’ve been practicing in Salinas since 1987. I’m honored that readers of the Monterey County Weekly have voted me Best Orthodontist every year from 2023 through 2026.
Once you’ve narrowed the field on training, fees, and reputation, the last step is to compare your top choices in person.
How Many Orthodontists Should You Consult Before Deciding?
Two or three consultations are usually enough to make a confident decision. One visit gives you nothing to compare against, and going beyond three tends to blur the details together.
Comparing helps because recommendations can differ between offices. One orthodontist may suggest braces where another suggests aligners, or estimate a different timeline for the same case. Seeing those differences side by side helps you understand your own case and ask sharper follow-up questions. To keep the comparison fair, take notes on the same points at each visit: the diagnosis, the recommended treatment, the estimated timeline, and what the fee includes.
After your visits, ask yourself four questions:
- Feeling heard: Did the orthodontist listen to your concerns and answer every question?
- Clarity: Do you understand your diagnosis and why a specific treatment was recommended?
- Fit: Do the treatment plan, appointment schedule, and payment arrangement work for your life?
- Comfort: Would you feel at ease returning to this office for every visit over the coming months?
When one office gives you a clear yes on all four, you’ve likely found the right orthodontist.
Finding the Right Orthodontist for Your Treatment
Choosing an orthodontist comes down to specialist training, a consultation that leaves you with clear answers, and a fee you understand from the start. Reviews and years in practice help you narrow the list, and comparing two or three offices in person shows you which one fits your needs, your schedule, and your budget.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be glad to meet you. At Matthew Ronconi Orthodontics, your first visit is a complimentary consultation where I’ll examine your teeth and bite, walk you through your options, and give you a clear plan with no obligation to start.
Call my office at (831) 422-7424 or book online to schedule your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose an orthodontist in Salinas, CA?
To choose an orthodontist in Salinas, CA, start by confirming the provider is a specialist who completed an orthodontic residency after dental school. Then compare a few consultations on how clearly each office explains your diagnosis, treatment options, timeline, and fee.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who offers braces?
The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist who offers braces is specialty training. An orthodontist completes 24 to 36 months of accredited residency after dental school, focused entirely on moving teeth, correcting bites, and guiding jaw development.
What affects the cost of braces?
The cost of braces depends on the type of appliance, the complexity of your case, and how long treatment takes. At my office, I review the full fee with you at your consultation, and you can spread the cost over time with a payment plan or CareCredit.
At what age should my child see an orthodontist?
Your child should see an orthodontist by age 7, which is when orthodontic specialists recommend a first check-up. At that age, I can spot developing bite or jaw problems and tell you if early treatment would help now or if it’s better to wait.
How many consultations should I go to before choosing an orthodontist?
Two or three consultations are usually enough before choosing an orthodontist. That gives you a fair comparison of recommendations and fees without making the decision harder than it needs to be.
Is an orthodontic consultation free?
An orthodontic consultation is free at many offices, including mine. Your first visit includes an exam and a one-on-one conversation with me about your options, with no obligation to start treatment.
Does dental insurance cover braces for adults in California?
Dental insurance covers braces for adults in California only if your plan includes adult orthodontic benefits, and many plans limit orthodontic coverage to children. Call my office before your visit, and my team can help you check your benefits.
