A practical guide from aligned. Orthodontics
How to choose the right orthodontist
You should leave a consultation with a clear plan—and room to think.
Start with specialist training. Then look for a doctor who explains your bite, compares your options, and puts the full cost in writing. The right fit is someone you can trust through the whole treatment, not just the first visit.
For adults, teens, and parents comparing orthodontic care.
Updated October 2026 · About 7 minutes to read
Check the trainingKnow who is planning your care.
Compare the whole planOptions, cost, visits, and retainers.
Take your timeA second opinion is a fair next step.
Start here
Five things worth looking for
A polished office and a long list of treatment brands can make a good first impression. These questions tell you more about the care behind them.
One question to remember
“Can you show me what you want to change, and explain why?”
You do not need to know the technical words. You should understand the answer.
Specialist training you can verify
An orthodontist completes an additional two to three years of specialty education after dental school. A dentist offering aligners is not necessarily an orthodontist. Check the doctor’s training, not just the treatment advertised.
American Board of Orthodontics certification is an additional, voluntary credential. It is separate from a dental license and AAO membership. The AAO explains the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist.
A diagnosis before a product
The conversation should start with your teeth, bite, and goals. Ask why braces, aligners, monitoring, or another approach makes sense for you—and which alternatives were considered. A scanner is helpful when the doctor uses it to explain your case; the equipment alone does not choose the plan.
Before-and-after photos are more useful when you know what was treated. For example, Bailey-Welling Orthodontics groups patient examples by concerns such as crowding, crossbite, and open bite. Look for cases that resemble your starting point, then ask the orthodontist how your treatment might differ.
Clarity about who you will see
Ask who plans treatment, who checks your progress, and what happens if that doctor is away. If several providers share care, find out how they communicate. Read reviews for patterns about explanations, scheduling, and follow-up, rather than relying on the star rating alone.
The full cost, in writing
Compare the total fee, not only the monthly payment. Ask what is included: records, appointments, refinements, retainers, and follow-up. Clarify possible extra charges, financing terms, and the estimated insurance contribution before deciding.
Space to ask questions
You should be able to ask what happens if you wait, what the limits of treatment are, and whether a second opinion would help. An explanation of urgency should be specific to your situation. A discount deadline is not a clinical reason to begin.
Three questions · About one minute
What should you ask at your consultation?
Tell us who you are choosing for and what matters most. Get a short question list to bring to any orthodontist.
Question 1 of 3
Who are you choosing for?
Start with these three questions: Who will oversee my care? Why is this plan right for my bite? What does the full fee include?
Enable JavaScript for a personalized question list, or use the comparison guide below.
This quiz helps you prepare questions; it does not diagnose a condition or recommend treatment. No name or email needed.
Bring this to both visits
Compare answers, not sales pitches
Two orthodontists may recommend different approaches. Ask each to explain the tradeoffs, then compare the same details. A lower fee may cover a different scope of care.
| Ask about | A useful answer includes | Follow up if… |
|---|---|---|
| The reason for treatment | What the doctor sees, what would change, and the reason for the timing. | You hear a product name without an explanation of your bite. |
| Your options | Reasonable alternatives and the benefits, limits, and daily effort of each. | You cannot find out why another option was ruled out. |
| The fee | A written total, inclusions, possible extras, and payment terms. | The conversation stays focused on a monthly payment or limited-time offer. |
| Your visits | Who you will see, likely appointment intervals, and how urgent issues are handled. | You do not know who is responsible for your progress. |
| After treatment | A retainer plan, follow-up arrangements, and replacement costs. | The plan ends at the day the braces come off. |
On a phone, swipe the table to see all three columns.
For parents
Ask why now—and what happens if you wait
The AAO recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. An evaluation does not automatically mean treatment. Ask whether your child needs care now or monitoring, and what the doctor would check at the next visit.
If early treatment is recommended, ask what it is meant to accomplish and whether a second phase may be needed later. Get the scope and cost of each phase explained.
Read our guide to braces for kidsFor adults and teens
Choose a plan you can live with
Appearance matters, but so do cleaning, eating, appointments, and the routine of wearing removable aligners. Ask which options can meet your goals and what each will ask of you day to day.
If you have had treatment before, bring up shifting teeth, your old retainers, and what you want to be different this time. Tell the doctor about ongoing dental care so the plan can be coordinated.
Compare clear aligners and bracesAt aligned., on South Pearl Street
What a helpful first visit looks like
- Start with what brought you in.Your concerns and goals belong in the conversation from the beginning.
- Look at the findings together.Dr. Vanderstelt uses your exam and records to explain your teeth and bite.
- Talk through the choices.You should understand the recommendation, alternatives, and expected timeline.
- Leave with a plan you can review.Take the treatment and fee details home. You can ask questions before deciding.
Meet your orthodontist
Dr. Amanda Vanderstelt, DMD, MSD
Dr. Vanderstelt is a board-certified orthodontist who diagnoses and treats cases at aligned. herself. Her approach considers the teeth and bite alongside jaw development and relevant breathing concerns.
Bring up snoring, mouth breathing, or sleep concerns if they are part of your story. Ask whether a separate evaluation or another clinician’s input is needed; a smile consultation does not diagnose a sleep disorder.
Get to know Dr. VandersteltMake the visits workable
Location and convenience matter
You are choosing an office you may return to regularly. Check the route at the time you would actually travel, and ask which appointment times are available.
A few practical questions
- How often are visits likely to happen for my plan?
- Which appointments may need a longer visit during school or work hours?
- Who do I contact if something breaks or I have a concern?
- Is parking or public transit straightforward?
Our office is at 1215 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210. Free parking is behind the building, with alley access from Arizona Avenue or Louisiana Avenue. Coming from Greenwood Village? See the route and what to expect.
Before you book
Questions about choosing an orthodontist
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
You can book directly with aligned. without a referral. If you plan to use insurance, check whether your particular plan has referral or network requirements.
Is board certification the same as being an orthodontist?
No. Orthodontists complete specialty training after dental school. American Board of Orthodontics certification is an additional, voluntary credential involving examinations. AAO membership is a separate professional membership.
Should I get more than one consultation?
A second opinion can help if a recommendation feels unclear, the proposed treatments differ, or you want more confidence in your choice. Bring the same questions to each appointment and ask what explains any differences.
Should I pick the lowest price?
Price is a real part of the decision. Compare the same scope of treatment, including retainers, follow-up, and potential additional fees. A written estimate is more useful than comparing monthly payments alone.
Is the consultation at aligned. complimentary?
The orthodontic consultation is complimentary. An adult airway consultation is a separate, paid appointment; the fee is confirmed when booking. Tell the team what you would like help with so they can arrange the right visit.
Can a quiz tell me which treatment I need?
No. This quiz creates questions based on your priorities. Your orthodontist needs an examination and appropriate records to recommend treatment—or to recommend monitoring instead.
Keep exploring
A little more reading before you decide
Your questions are a good place to start
Come in curious. Leave with clarity.
Meet Dr. Vanderstelt, talk through your concerns, and find out what your options look like. You do not have to arrive knowing which treatment you want.
For adult breathing or sleep concerns, ask about the separate paid airway consultation.