Choosing an orthodontist for your family comes down to a handful of things that actually matter: whether the doctor is an orthodontic specialist, who personally oversees treatment at each visit, the range of treatment options, the diagnostic technology, how convenient the locations and scheduling are, and what real patients say about the experience. Get those right and the rest tends to follow.
At Wendling Orthodontics, we have been helping families across Flint and Grand Blanc straighten their smiles since 1998. We put together this guide to walk you through what to look for in any orthodontist, using the same kinds of criteria national dental organizations point families toward, so you can evaluate any practice with confidence, including ours.
One thing worth keeping in mind from the start is that orthodontic care is for the whole family, adults included. If you are weighing treatment for yourself as well as your kids, you have plenty of company.
Start with credentials: is the doctor an orthodontic specialist?
The single most important question is whether the provider is an orthodontist. Plenty of offices offer braces or clear aligners without an orthodontist doing the work. A general dentist can provide some orthodontic services, but that does not make them an orthodontist. Orthodontists complete accredited specialty training after dental school focused only on tooth movement, jaw growth, and facial development. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, that is an additional 24 to 36 months of education, roughly 3,700 hours in the specialty.
A few simple screening questions:
- Is the doctor an orthodontic specialist, not a general dentist who happens to offer braces?
- Are they a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, which admits orthodontists only?
- Are they board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics? Board certification is voluntary and separate from being a specialist, but it signals an added commitment to the field. About 68.7% of AAO orthodontists are board certified.
At Wendling Orthodontics, Dr. Lisa K. Wendling, Dr. Jessica Perry, and Dr. Nolan are all orthodontic specialists, and each was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society reserved for top-of-class graduates. You can read their full training and credentials on our Meet the Doctors page.
Ask who personally oversees your family's treatment at each visit
Orthodontic treatment is individualized, and it unfolds over many months, sometimes a couple of years. Continuity matters over that stretch. You want to know who will personally check your progress and adjust the plan at each appointment, and it is a fair thing to ask any practice.
At Wendling Orthodontics, the orthodontist present at each office personally sees every patient at every appointment. That means you and your child build a relationship with the same familiar doctors, from your first visit to the day treatment is complete.
Look at the range of treatment options offered
A good family orthodontist should offer more than one path, because the right appliance depends on the diagnosis, the goals, and the patient's daily life. Most families are choosing among traditional metal braces or clear aligner therapy. The AAO is clear that no single appliance is automatically better than another, and that the skill of the provider matters more than the hardware itself.
| Option | What it is | How noticeable | Removable | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional metal braces | Brackets and wires fixed to the teeth | Most visible | No | Can treat most orthodontic problems |
| Clear aligner therapy (Invisalign®) | A series of clear, custom trays | Nearly invisible | Yes | Usually worn 20 to 22 hours a day; suitability depends on the case |
At Wendling Orthodontics, we offer traditional braces and clear aligner therapy, including Invisalign. We have been an Invisalign provider since 2000 and are a Platinum Invisalign Provider. During your consultation, we start by asking your preference, then guide you toward the option that fits your case and your daily life.
Check the diagnostic technology
Technology in an orthodontic office should make diagnosis more accurate and treatment more comfortable, not just look impressive. Two things are worth asking about: whether the office uses digital intraoral scanning instead of traditional putty impressions when appropriate, and whether it uses digital radiography. The American Dental Association specifically recommends digital instead of conventional film to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.
At Wendling Orthodontics, we use an iTero intraoral scanner to create a 3D digital map of your mouth with no messy impressions, along with digital panoramic x-rays that give us a complete view of the teeth, jaw, and bone structure. Accurate imaging is the foundation of a treatment plan that actually fits the patient.
Consider the locations and scheduling that fit your life
Because orthodontic treatment means recurring visits over many months, location and scheduling are practical considerations, not minor ones. Think about the drive from home, work, and school, and whether the office hours work with your family's routine.
Wendling Orthodontics has two offices serving the area:
- Flint: 1100 S Linden Rd, Flint, MI 48532, 810-733-3410
- Grand Blanc: 210 Reid Rd, Suite 214, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, 810-214-3711
Our hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and select Fridays from 7:30am to 1:00pm. You can find more about care close to home on our Flint office page.
Make sure the office feels right for families
Credentials and technology matter, but so does how an office feels, especially for kids and anyone who feels anxious about dental visits. The ADA suggests calling or visiting before you decide, so you can judge whether the office is welcoming, clean, and clear about your options, and whether the team is good with children.
At Wendling Orthodontics, we want every visit to feel comfortable and unhurried. Our Flint and Grand Blanc offices are modern and welcoming, with small touches like a coffee bar and bar-style seating for parents who want to work while their child is seen, plus fun contests patients can enter for a chance to win prizes. We take time to explain everything, so you leave knowing exactly what to expect.
Read reviews, but look for patterns
Online reviews are a useful starting point, not the whole story. The most helpful reviews show patterns across many patients: consistent comments about communication, staff kindness, cleanliness, easy scheduling, clear explanations, and how the office handles children and nervous patients. Treat reviews as one input, then confirm what you read when you visit in person.
At Wendling Orthodontics, we hear the same themes from patients again and again: how thoroughly our team explains treatment, how kind the staff are, and how comfortable families feel in our offices.
Orthodontic care for the whole family, including adults
Choosing a family orthodontist is not only about the kids. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and adult treatment is now mainstream. The AAO reports that 1 in 4 orthodontic patients is an adult. If you have been putting off treatment for yourself, a practice that treats all ages lets the whole family get care in one place.
At Wendling Orthodontics, about 25% of our patients are adults, and we offer discreet options that fit professional and busy lives. Learn more on our adult orthodontics page.
Use the free consultation as your final evaluation step
The best way to judge any orthodontist is to sit down with them. A consultation lets you see the office, meet the doctor, ask your questions, and get a personalized assessment before you commit to anything. Many orthodontists, including us, offer this first visit at no charge.
At Wendling Orthodontics, your free consultation includes photos, a digital panoramic x-ray, often a 3D iTero scan, a thorough exam with Dr. Wendling, Dr. Perry, or Dr. Nolan, and a customized treatment plan. There is no obligation. It is simply the clearest way to find out whether we are the right fit for your family.
Frequently asked questions about choosing an orthodontist
Is an orthodontist different from a dentist?
Yes. Every orthodontist starts as a dentist, then completes an additional two to three years of accredited specialty training in tooth movement and jaw development. A general dentist who offers braces has not completed that orthodontic residency.
At what age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The AAO recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7. At that age most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, which helps the orthodontist spot issues early. An early check-up does not mean early treatment; many children are simply monitored until the right time.
How do I find a good orthodontist near me in Flint?
Start by confirming the doctor is an orthodontic specialist, then weigh treatment options, technology, location, scheduling, and reviews. Booking a free consultation is the clearest way to see how a practice measures up in person.
Does it matter if the orthodontist is board certified?
Board certification is a voluntary credential from the American Board of Orthodontics that signals an added commitment to specialty standards. It is a helpful bonus, though being a trained orthodontic specialist and an AAO member is the essential baseline.
Book your free consultation in Flint or Grand Blanc
When you are ready to see how we measure up against every one of these criteria, we would love to meet you. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and we will walk you through your family's options in person. Call our Flint office at 810-733-3410 or our Grand Blanc office at 810-214-3711, or request a visit through our website. We look forward to being part of your family's smile journey.