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EnglishWhat Is aaoinfo.org? The American Association of Orthodontists Website Explained
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aaoinfo.org is the official website of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), a professional association representing more than 18,000 orthodontists across the United States, Canada, and abroad. The site is built primarily for patients and the public: it helps you find an orthodontist, understand orthodontic treatment options, and learn when to seek care for yourself or your child. It is not a clinic and does not provide treatment directly — it connects you with member orthodontists and educational resources.
What the AAO Is
The AAO is a membership organization for orthodontists — dentists who have completed additional specialized training in moving teeth and aligning jaws. According to the site, its members practice throughout the U.S., Canada, and internationally.
That distinction matters when you are choosing where to get care. A general dentist may offer some orthodontic services, but an AAO orthodontist is a specialist whose practice is limited to orthodontics. The site frames this as the core reason to use its directory: "AAO orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile."
What You Can Do on the Site
Find an orthodontist
The homepage's primary call to action is Find an Orthodontist, a directory that connects patients with AAO member doctors. This is the main practical function of the site if you are ready to book a consultation.
Learn about treatment options
The site explains the main categories of orthodontic treatment in plain language:
| Option | How the site describes it |
|---|---|
| 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 inserts and removes them |
| Retainers | Removable, clear, thin, slightly flexible plastic-like material shaped to the exact 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 |
| Mouthguards | Used by athletes of all ages to protect teeth during sporting activities |
| Orthodontic surgery | Also called orthognathic surgery; corrective jaw surgery for skeletal problems affecting biting, chewing, and speaking |
Read guidance by age group
- Adult orthodontics — the site notes that today one in four orthodontic patients is an adult.
- Child orthodontics — the AAO advises that a child should have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7.
Understand why orthodontics matters
The site's "Why Orthodontics?" section makes a functional and preventive argument: a good bite makes it easier to bite, chew, and speak, while misaligned teeth are harder to clean and can cause abnormal enamel wear — which the site says can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures later.
Notable Positions and Programs
A warning against "mewing." The homepage features an AAO warning against the mewing trend, positioning the association as a source of evidence-based guidance against viral self-treatment claims.
Caution on at-home treatment. The site addresses direct-to-consumer aligner options under "Considering At-Home Treatments?" with the message 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.
Gifted Smiles. This is a program of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) that provides necessary orthodontic treatment to children of families who lack access to care. If cost is your barrier, this is the page to look for.
When This Site Is Useful — and When It Isn't
Use aaoinfo.org when you want to:
- Find a specialist orthodontist rather than a general dentist
- Compare treatment types (braces vs. aligners vs. retainers) before a consultation
- Decide when to bring a child in for a first evaluation
- Understand why a bite problem is worth treating rather than waiting
- Look into financial assistance for a child's treatment
It is less useful if you need pricing for a specific procedure, insurance coverage details, or a diagnosis of your own case. The site provides general education and a doctor directory; specific treatment plans and costs come from the orthodontist you consult. The site does not present itself as a free or low-cost treatment provider — Gifted Smiles is a separate foundation program with its own eligibility process.
A Practical First Step
If you are starting from scratch: read the treatment-options pages to understand what braces, aligners, and retainers actually involve, check the age-specific guidance if you are researching for a child, then use Find an Orthodontist to locate a member near you and book a consultation. Bring your questions about which option fits your case — that determination is made in person, not on the website.