Choosing the best orthodontist for braces or Invisalign comes down to four things: specialty training, treatment experience, modern technology, and how well the practice fits your family. The right provider should be an orthodontic specialist, offer current options like Invisalign clear aligners and LightForce clear braces, and give you a clear plan after a free smile check. At Marris Orthodontics, we help kids, teens, and adults find that fit every day.
What Does It Mean to Choose the “Best” Orthodontist?
The “best” orthodontist isn’t a one-size-fits-all label. It’s the provider whose training, experience, and tools match your specific case, your schedule, and your goals. For some families, that means a doctor who’s great with anxious kids. For others, it’s an all-digital orthodontic practice that helps reduce unnecessary in-office check-ins.
Here’s what sets a true orthodontist apart from a general dentist offering aligners:
- Specialty training. Orthodontists complete additional focused residency training after dental school, learning tooth movement, bite correction, and jaw growth.
- Case volume. Orthodontists handle braces and aligner cases every single day, which builds pattern recognition for tricky bites.
- Diagnostic depth. A specialist looks at airway, jaw development, and long-term stability, not just how your teeth look today.
- Technology investment. Practices focused on orthodontics tend to invest in 3-D scans, custom appliances, and DentalMonitoring.
A general dentist can offer Invisalign, but complex bites, growing jaws, and long-term retention plans are squarely in orthodontic territory. Dr. Kary Marris is University of Florida trained and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, which means your family gets specialty-level care from start to finish.
How Do You Choose the Right Orthodontist? A Step-by-Step Process
Finding the right orthodontist for braces or Invisalign is easier when you break it into clear steps. Start by checking credentials, then meet the doctor, review the technology, compare treatment options, and confirm the financial picture. Many practices, including ours, offer a free consult so you can do all of this without pressure.
How Do You Verify Credentials and AAO Membership?
Look for a doctor who completed an accredited orthodontic residency and holds American Association of Orthodontists membership. Specialty training is what separates an orthodontist from a general dentist.
Why Should You Book a Free Consult?
A free consult is your chance to meet the doctor, tour the office, and see how the team treats you. Ask about the proposed custom plan, expected treatment time, and follow-up care.
What Technology Should You Review?
Modern tools change the experience. Ask whether the practice uses:
- Quick 3-D scans instead of putty impressions
- DentalMonitoring for app-based check-ins
- Custom-printed appliances like LightForce clear braces
- An all-digital workflow from scan to finish
How Do You Compare Treatment Options?
A strong orthodontist offers more than one path. Invisalign clear aligners, LightForce clear braces, and early treatment options can all serve different cases. If a practice only offers one type of treatment, ask why.
How Do You Evaluate Cost Transparency?
You should leave your free consult with a written estimate, financing options, and a clear answer about insurance. Surprises shouldn’t be part of the process.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing the Right Orthodontist?
The right orthodontist does more than straighten teeth. They protect your bite, your time, and your long-term results.
How Does the Right Orthodontist Improve Your Results?
Here’s what you gain when you pick the right fit:
- Accurate diagnosis. A specialist reads jaw growth, airway, and bite alignment, not just crooked front teeth. That means your custom plan treats the real cause.
- Modern tools that work for you. Quick 3-D scans, LightForce clear braces, and Invisalign clear aligners give you options that fit your life. DentalMonitoring lets you snap, send, and smile from home.
- Better long-term results. Specialty training supports careful finishing, stable bites, and lower risk of relapse. A well-finished case holds up for years when you wear your retainer.
How Does the Right Fit Save Your Family Time?
Choosing wisely pays off in fewer trips and less hassle for everyone:
- Fewer unnecessary in-office check-ins. With DentalMonitoring, Dr. Marris can keep an expert eye on your progress between visits, so you spend less time in the chair and more time on the things you love.
- Care for every age. Kids, teens, and adults all benefit from a doctor who treats the full range. It’s a lifetime of smiles under one roof.
Every patient gets the mix of experience meets innovation we bring to the chair at Marris Orthodontics, where the goal is healthy smiles, friendly faces.
Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Treatment Is Right for You?
Both braces and Invisalign can deliver excellent results when the right provider designs the plan. The best choice depends on your case, your lifestyle, and how visible you want treatment to be.
What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners?
Invisalign clear aligners are removable trays that slip on like small mouthguards. They can be a great fit for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and many bite issues. You can eat what you want, brush and floss like normal, and most people barely notice them.
Invisalign First is designed for younger kids whose jaws are still growing, and there are teen-specific options with built-in compliance indicators. The catch: aligners only work when you wear them 20-22 hours a day.
What Are LightForce Clear Braces?
LightForce clear braces are custom 3-D-printed brackets designed for your teeth. Each bracket is made just for you, which can support a personalized treatment experience and a precise finish. They’re a strong choice for complex cases, growing kids, and anyone who’d rather not track aligner wear time.
How Do the Two Options Compare?
| Feature | Invisalign Clear Aligners | LightForce Clear Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Nearly invisible trays | Tooth-colored, low-profile brackets |
| Removable | Yes | No, fixed during treatment |
| Best for | Many mild to moderate cases, adults, and teens | Many complex cases, growing kids, and teens |
| Maintenance | Brush trays, no diet changes | Avoid sticky, hard foods |
| Compliance needed | High, 20-22 hours/day | Built in, always working |
| In-office check-ins | May be reduced with DentalMonitoring | May be reduced with DentalMonitoring |
Dr. Marris reviews your 3-D scan and walks you through both options at your free consult, so the decision is based on your bite, not guesswork.
Cost Factors: What Affects the Price of Braces and Invisalign
At Marris Orthodontics, orthodontic cost depends on case complexity, treatment length, and the type of appliance you choose. Simple cases that need minor alignment cost less than full bite corrections that take longer. Insurance, FSA/HSA funds, and in-house financing can lower your out-of-pocket cost, and you’ll get a firm quote at a free consult.
Here’s what shapes your total:
- Case complexity. Mild crowding takes less time and fewer appointments than a deep overbite or crossbite.
- Treatment length. Many cases run 12-24 months. Shorter cases generally cost less.
- Treatment type. Invisalign clear aligners and LightForce clear braces may be priced similarly, with differences based on case needs.
- Age and growth. Early treatment for kids may require a separate phase depending on growth and development.
- Add-ons. Retainers, replacement aligners, and follow-up care can factor in.
What Are the Typical Cost Drivers?
| Factor | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|
| Mild vs. complex case | Lower vs. higher |
| 12 months vs. 24+ months | Lower vs. higher |
| Single phase vs. two-phase treatment | Lower vs. higher |
| Insurance coverage | Reduces out-of-pocket |
| FSA/HSA use | Pre-tax savings |
| Monthly payment plan | Spreads cost over time |
Marris Orthodontics offers financing and insurance options, and your free consult includes a clear quote so you know exactly what to expect before you commit. You can also review our full treatment options before your visit.
Are You a Candidate for Braces or Invisalign?
Most people are candidates for one or both. The right answer depends on your bite, your age, and how complex the case is.
Common issues treated with braces or Invisalign include:
- Crowding and crooked teeth
- Gaps and spacing
- Overbite, underbite, and crossbite
- Open bite
- Midline shifts
- Jaw growth concerns in kids
Are Braces Right for Kids?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up around age 7. Early evaluation lets Dr. Marris spot issues like crossbites, crowding, or narrow arches early. Some kids benefit from early orthodontic guidance before all permanent teeth come in.
Are Braces or Invisalign Right for Teens?
Teens are great candidates for both Invisalign clear aligners and LightForce clear braces. Aligners work well for responsible teens who’ll wear them as prescribed, and clear braces are a strong choice for active kids who’d rather not track wear time. DentalMonitoring keeps check-ins flexible around school, sports, and activities.
Can Adults Get Braces or Invisalign?
Adults make up a growing share of orthodontic patients. Whether you skipped treatment as a teen or your teeth shifted after years without a retainer, both Invisalign and LightForce clear braces are excellent options.
A free smile check with a 3-D scan gives you a clear answer in one visit. Patients looking for an Orlando orthodontist can start with a consult at our Orlando orthodontic office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if an orthodontist is qualified?
Look for a doctor who completed an accredited orthodontic residency after dental school and holds American Association of Orthodontists membership. You can also ask about specific provider status with brands like Invisalign and LightForce. Dr. Kary Marris is University of Florida trained, an AAO member, and a LightForce Authorized Provider and Invisalign Provider.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Many cases run between 12 and 24 months, though shorter and longer cases happen. Treatment length depends on case complexity, the appliance you choose, and how closely you follow your custom plan. Dr. Marris gives you an estimated timeline at your free consult after reviewing your 3-D scan.
Is Invisalign more expensive than braces?
Invisalign clear aligners and LightForce clear braces may be priced in a similar range, with differences based on case complexity and treatment length. The bigger cost drivers are how long you’re in treatment and how complex your bite is, not the appliance itself. You’ll get a clear quote at your free consult.
Can adults get braces or Invisalign?
Yes. Adults are excellent candidates for both Invisalign clear aligners and LightForce clear braces. Many of Dr. Marris’s patients are adults starting treatment for the first time or returning to fix shifting after years without a retainer.
What happens at a free orthodontic consult?
You’ll meet Dr. Marris and the team, get a quick 3-D scan, and review your options. Dr. Marris explains what your bite needs, walks you through treatment choices, and answers questions about timing and cost. You leave with a custom plan and a clear written estimate, no pressure to commit.
How often will I need in-office check-ins during treatment?
With DentalMonitoring, many patients come in less often than with conventional appointments. You snap photos through the app, and Dr. Marris reviews your progress between visits. In-office check-ins depend on your custom plan and what your smile needs at each stage.
Start with a Free Orthodontic Consult in Orlando
Ready to find the right fit? A free consult at Marris Orthodontics is a relaxed way to meet Dr. Kary Marris, your all-digital orthodontic practice for healthy smiles, friendly faces. We’d love to help your family take the first step whenever the timing works for you.
Explore our practice, read reviews from patients, learn what to expect at your first visit, or start with a convenient virtual consult.
Schedule your free consult or contact our Orlando office with questions.