aaoinfo.org

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

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.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) frames orthodontic treatment as more than a cosmetic choice: it describes oral health as "a window into your overall health," and argues that a properly aligned bite supports basic functions like biting, chewing, and speaking while making teeth easier to clean. The organization's position is that misaligned teeth are harder to maintain and can wear enamel abnormally, potentially leading to more extensive and expensive dental work later. This reasoning applies to anyone weighing whether to see an orthodontist — not just people unhappy with the appearance of their teeth.

The AAO's core argument, point by point

The AAO's "Why Orthodontics?" section makes four connected claims. Each one builds on the last:

• Oral health reflects overall health. The AAO treats the mouth as an indicator of general health rather than an isolated system.
• A good bite supports function. When teeth meet correctly, biting, chewing, and speaking are easier.
• Misaligned teeth are harder to clean. Crowded or crooked teeth create spaces that routine brushing and flossing struggle to reach.
• Poor alignment causes abnormal enamel wear. Uneven contact between teeth can wear enamel in ways that lead to more extensive and expensive dental procedures down the line.

The practical takeaway: the AAO is not selling straight teeth as an aesthetic goal. It is describing alignment as a functional and preventive health issue.

Who the AAO says should consider treatment

The site separates its guidance by age group, which matters because the timing of an evaluation differs.

Adults

The AAO states that today, one in four orthodontic patients is an adult. If you assumed braces or aligners are only for children, that ratio is the direct counterargument. Adults considering treatment can use the AAO's adult orthodontics resources to understand options before committing.

Children

The AAO's guidance is specific: a child should have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7. This is an evaluation age, not necessarily a treatment age — the point is to catch developing problems while the jaw is still growing, when some issues are easier to address.

What treatment options the AAO describes

The AAO lists the main appliance categories and what each does. Knowing the categories helps you follow a treatment conversation rather than just accept a recommendation.

Two things stand out in this list. First, archwires and elastics are components of treatment rather than alternatives to it — they explain how braces move teeth. Second, orthodontic surgery is presented as a remedy for skeletal problems, which is a different category of problem from tooth alignment.

The AAO's caution about at-home treatment

The site includes a direct warning section titled "Considering At-Home Treatments?" with the statement 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. The AAO also warns against the "mewing" trend.

The underlying logic connects to the rest of the page: if alignment affects enamel wear and cleaning, then a treatment plan needs diagnosis by someone trained to assess the bite, not a one-size-fits-all kit.

How to act on this

If the AAO's reasoning applies to your situation, the site's own path is straightforward:

1. Find an orthodontist through the AAO's directory to get an evaluation.
2. For a child, book the check-up by age 7 even if nothing looks wrong — the visit is diagnostic.
3. Ask which appliance category fits your case and why, using the options table above as your reference.
4. Treat at-home kits with caution until an orthodontist has assessed your bite.

The AAO also runs 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 — relevant if cost is the barrier to getting an evaluation.

What the AAO does not settle

The AAO's page explains why orthodontic treatment matters and what options exist, but it does not provide pricing, insurance guidance, or a treatment timeline for specific conditions. Those depend on the individual case and the treating orthodontist. Use the AAO's material to understand the health rationale and the option categories, then get case-specific answers from a licensed orthodontist.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7. This is an evaluation, not necessarily the start of treatment — many children who are checked at 7 won't need braces or aligners yet, but the visit establishes a baseline and lets an orthodontist catch problems while they're still easy to manage.

Why age 7 specifically

By around age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and newly erupted permanent teeth, and their jaws are still growing. That combination gives an orthodontist useful information that isn't available earlier or later:

• Back teeth (first molars) have usually erupted, so the orthodontist can see how the bite fits together.
• Front permanent teeth are coming in, which reveals crowding, spacing, or alignment issues.
• Jaw growth is still active, so certain skeletal problems — like a crossbite or an underbite — can be intercepted or guided rather than corrected surgically later.

The AAO frames this as a screening window: the goal is to identify problems early, not to treat every child early.

What the AAO says the check-up can reveal

According to the AAO, an early exam can surface issues that are hard to see without training, including:

• Crowding or extra or missing teeth
• Problems with jaw growth or bite alignment (for example, crossbites)
• Habits that affect dental development
• Teeth that are erupting in the wrong position

The AAO's position is that not all children need immediate treatment after this visit. Some are simply monitored on a schedule, and treatment starts later if and when it's needed.

Early check-up vs. waiting until all baby teeth are gone

The trade-off is straightforward: an early visit costs one appointment and may result in "watch and wait," while skipping it can mean a growth-related problem is only noticed once it's harder to address.

Adults are not excluded

The AAO notes that one in four orthodontic patients is an adult. The age-7 guideline is about when to screen children, not a limit on who can be treated. Adults can and do receive orthodontic treatment, and the same treatment categories — braces, aligners, and retainers — apply.

How to act on this

1. If your child is approaching 7, book an orthodontic check-up even if their teeth look straight. The AAO's reasoning is that some problems aren't visible to parents.
2. If your child is older than 7 and has never been checked, the guidance still supports an evaluation — earlier is better, but a first visit is still worthwhile.
3. Use the AAO's Find an Orthodontist tool on aaoinfo.org to locate an AAO orthodontist, who the AAO describes as having the training, experience, and treatment options to evaluate your situation.
4. Expect an assessment, not an automatic treatment plan. Ask what the orthodontist sees, whether monitoring is appropriate, and when a follow-up should happen.

A note on at-home treatment

The AAO explicitly cautions that orthodontic treatment "is not a quick fix" and warns against at-home treatment trends, including the "mewing" trend. Its stated position is that working with an orthodontist to determine a treatment plan produces better results than self-directed approaches.

Bottom line

Per the AAO: schedule a child's first orthodontic check-up by age 7, treat it as a screening that may lead to monitoring rather than immediate treatment, and remember that adults — about a quarter of orthodontic patients — are candidates too.

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:

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.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) describes several orthodontic treatment options on aaoinfo.org, including braces, aligners, and retainers, plus supporting devices such as archwires, elastics, mouthguards, and orthodontic surgery. These descriptions are general categories, not recommendations for a specific person. Which option fits depends on the bite problem, age, and the treating orthodontist's plan, so the practical use of this list is to know what to ask about during a consultation.

The three main treatment options

Braces

The AAO describes braces as composed of brackets affixed to the teeth and wires threaded through slots in the brackets. This is a fixed appliance: the patient does not remove it, and the orthodontist adjusts it over time.

Aligners

Aligners are clear, thin, plastic-like trays formed to fit an individual's teeth. The AAO notes that patients are responsible for insertion and removal. That removable design is the key practical difference from braces, and it also means wear time depends on the patient following instructions.

Retainers

Retainers are removable, clear, thin, slightly flexible, and made of a plastic-like material. They fit the exact shape and placement of the teeth. Their role is distinct from braces and aligners: they hold teeth in position rather than moving them into position.

Supporting devices and procedures

The AAO also lists components and add-ons that work alongside the main options:

• 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.

The distinction matters when you talk to an orthodontist: archwires and elastics are parts of a treatment, mouthguards are protective equipment, and orthodontic surgery addresses skeletal problems rather than tooth alignment alone.

How to use this list in a consultation

The AAO frames these options around customized treatment to match a patient's needs, and it states that AAO orthodontists have the training, experience, and treatment options to determine a plan. It also warns against at-home treatments, noting 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.

A practical way to use the page:

1. Identify which category your concern falls into — tooth movement (braces or aligners), retention after treatment (retainers), or a skeletal issue (orthodontic surgery).
2. Ask the orthodontist which options apply to your case and why, rather than choosing a device category on your own.
3. If you are considering at-home aligner products, read the AAO's caution first and compare it against an in-person evaluation.

Who the AAO says needs orthodontic attention

Two age-related points on the site are worth knowing before choosing a treatment:

• Adults: today, one in four orthodontic patients is an adult.
• Children: a child should have a check-up with an orthodontist by age 7.

The AAO also explains why treatment matters at all: a good bite makes it easier to bite, chew, and speak, while misaligned teeth are harder to clean and can cause abnormal wearing of tooth enamel, which can lead to extensive and expensive dental procedures.

Where to go next

The AAO site provides a "Find an Orthodontist" tool to connect patients with an orthodontist, and it separates its content into adult orthodontics, child orthodontics, and treatment options. If your goal is to compare braces versus aligners for a specific case, the site's descriptions give you the vocabulary; the decision itself comes from an evaluation by an AAO orthodontist.