How to Find an Orthodontist Through the AAO Website

Updated

You can find an orthodontist through the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) website, aaoinfo.org, by using its "Find an Orthodontist" tool. The site is built for patients who want a trained, experienced orthodontist rather than a general dentist or a do-it-yourself aligner service. It also gives you background on treatment options and age-related guidance, so you can walk into a consultation already knowing what to ask.

What aaoinfo.org Is

The AAO represents more than 18,000 orthodontists across the United States, Canada, and abroad. Its site serves two purposes for patients: connecting you with an orthodontist and explaining what orthodontic treatment involves.

The homepage states the core promise directly: "A custom smile created just for you by an AAO orthodontist." The association's role, as described on the site, is to "connect patients with the right orthodontist" and to note that AAO orthodontists "have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile."

That framing matters when you compare it with at-home aligner offers. The AAO's position is that orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix, and that working with the right orthodontist to determine a treatment plan can yield life-enhancing results.

How to Find an Orthodontist

The site's primary action is the Find an Orthodontist entry point, which appears alongside the main headline. The general flow is:

  1. Open aaoinfo.org.
  2. Select the "Find an Orthodontist" option.
  3. Search by location to see orthodontists near you.
  4. Review the results and contact a practice to book a consultation.

Expected result: a list of AAO-member orthodontists you can contact directly. The site does not publish prices, so cost is something you confirm with the individual practice.

Why Use the AAO Directory Instead of a General Search

Consideration AAO directory General web search
Who is listed Orthodontists, per the AAO's description Any provider, including general dentists
Training signal AAO membership implies orthodontic specialty training Not indicated
Treatment scope Braces, aligners, retainers, archwires, elastics, mouthguards, orthodontic surgery Varies, often unclear
Patient education Built-in explanations of each option Depends on the site

If your goal is simply to compare prices, the AAO site won't do that for you. If your goal is to start with a provider who specializes in moving teeth, the directory is the more direct route.

What the Site Tells You About Treatment Options

Before or after you pick an orthodontist, the site explains the main categories so you understand what a treatment plan might include:

  • Braces — brackets affixed to teeth with wires threaded through slots in the brackets.
  • Aligners — clear, thin, plastic-like trays formed to fit an individual's teeth; the patient is responsible for inserting and removing them.
  • Retainers — removable, clear, thin, slightly flexible, plastic-like material fitted to the exact shape and placement of the teeth.
  • Archwires — fit into the slots in braces and actually move the teeth.
  • Elastics — tiny rubber bands that apply extra force to a tooth or teeth in ways braces alone cannot, helping teeth move into ideal positions.
  • Mouthguards — used by athletes of all ages to protect teeth from trauma during competitive and individual sporting activities.
  • Orthodontic surgery — also called orthognathic surgery, corrective jaw surgery performed to remedy skeletal problems that affect the ability to bite, chew and speak.

Knowing these categories helps you ask specific questions at your consultation, such as whether your case suits aligners or needs braces, and whether a retainer will be part of the plan afterward.

Age-Related Guidance on the Site

The AAO site separates guidance for adults and children:

  • Adults: Today, one in four orthodontic patients is an adult, according to the site.
  • Children: Your child should have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7.

The age-7 guidance is a screening recommendation, not a signal that treatment starts then. Many children are monitored and begin treatment later if needed.

A Caution the Site Raises

The AAO warns against the "mewing" trend and advises patients considering at-home treatments to read its guidance first. The site's stated reasoning is that orthodontic treatment is not a quick fix and that a proper treatment plan from an orthodontist produces better results. If you are weighing a direct-to-consumer aligner service against an in-office orthodontist, this is the AAO's counterargument, and it is worth reading in full before deciding.

Other Resources on the Site

  • Gifted Smiles — a program of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) that provides necessary orthodontic treatment to children of families who lack access to care.
  • Why Orthodontics? — explains that oral health reflects overall health, that a good bite makes it easier to bite, chew, and speak, and that misaligned teeth are harder to clean and can cause abnormal enamel wear leading to more extensive and expensive dental procedures.
  • Common Problems — a section describing typical orthodontic issues.

Practical Next Steps

  1. Use Find an Orthodontist to shortlist providers near you.
  2. Read the treatment-option pages so you can discuss braces, aligners, and retainers by name.
  3. If you have a child, book a check-up by age 7.
  4. If you are considering at-home treatment, read the AAO's caution before committing.
  5. Ask each practice directly about cost, insurance, and payment plans — the AAO site does not list prices.