Choosing an Orthodontist

7 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics

Frisco has no shortage of places advertising braces and clear aligners, and on the surface a lot of them look the same. A consultation is where the real differences show up, if you ask the right questions. I sit on the other side of these conversations every week, so here are the ones that actually separate a good fit from a bad one. Bring this list to any office you visit, ours included.

Start with credentials

This is the question most people skip, and it matters more than any other. An orthodontist completes two to three years of specialty training after dental school, focused entirely on moving teeth and jaws. A general dentist can legally offer braces and aligners with far less of that training. Neither is wrong, but you deserve to know which one you're hiring.

• Are you an orthodontic specialist, or a general dentist who offers orthodontics?
• Are you board-certified? A Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics has passed a voluntary, rigorous exam beyond the basic license. It's a meaningful marker, and not every orthodontist holds it.
• Will the orthodontist personally plan and oversee my treatment?

Ask about your specific plan

Generic answers are a red flag. You want specifics about your mouth:

• What are my options, and which do you recommend for me, and why? A good orthodontist explains tradeoffs, not just a single hard sell.
• How long will my treatment take? Get a realistic range, not a headline number.
• Can I see before-and-after cases similar to mine? Ours are on our before and after page.
• What technology do you use? Digital scanners and 3D imaging make for a more comfortable, more precise process than old putty impressions.

Nail down cost and insurance

Surprises here are the most common complaint I hear about other offices. Ask plainly:

• What is the total cost, and what's included? Retainers, follow-up visits, and emergency repairs should be spelled out.
• Do you take my insurance, and what financing do you offer? We're in-network with most PPO plans and offer interest-free monthly payments.
• Is the consultation free? Ours is. You shouldn't pay just to learn your options.

If you want to walk in already understanding the numbers, our guides on braces vs. clear aligner costs and affordable orthodontics in Texas are a good primer.

Care, comfort, and logistics

• Who will I see at each visit, the orthodontist or an assistant?
• What happens in an emergency, like a broken bracket or a lost aligner?
• What's the plan for retainers when I finish? Retention is lifelong, so this should have a clear answer.
• How convenient is scheduling? We run three offices, two in Frisco and one in The Colony, which makes appointments easier to keep.

The full checklist to bring

Frequently asked questions