To choose an orthodontist, check their specialist training, get a written treatment plan and total cost, find out who treats you at each visit, and compare payment options and office days. An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an extra residency in moving teeth. Free consultations let you compare practices before you commit.
I'm an orthodontist, so I'm not a neutral party. But these are the questions I'd tell my own family to ask any office, including mine. Write down the answers and compare.
On this page
- What is the difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist?
- What questions should you ask at an orthodontist consultation?
- Local practice, large chain or mail-order aligners: how do they compare?
- What are the red flags when comparing orthodontist quotes?
- How should you read orthodontist reviews online?
- What happens at a free consultation at Miller Orthodontics?
- Where are Miller Orthodontics' offices?
- Frequently asked questions
Free consultation, no referral needed, $300 down. Or call (813) 427-2237.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who went on to complete an extra residency focused on moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. A general dentist takes care of your overall oral health, like cleanings, fillings and checkups. You need both, and they work best as a team.
What an orthodontist is
Every orthodontist starts as a dentist. After dental school, we go back for a residency that is only about how teeth move, how bites fit together and how jaws grow. I earned my DDS at the University of Maryland and then completed my orthodontic residency at the University of Colorado. You can read more on my bio page.
That training is the whole job. My day is braces, aligners, bites and growing kids. While you're in treatment with us, you keep seeing your general dentist for cleanings and checkups, and we coordinate with them the whole way through.
Can my regular dentist do braces or Invisalign?
Some general dentists offer clear aligners for simple cases, and for the right case that can work. If your dentist offers it, ask a few plain questions so you know what you're signing up for:
- How many aligner or braces cases do you treat each year?
- Who designs the treatment plan, and who checks it as my teeth move?
- What happens if the plan needs to change partway through?
An orthodontist focuses only on tooth movement, so a consultation with one is a good way to compare. If you're also weighing appliances, our post on braces or Invisalign covers that choice.
What questions should you ask at an orthodontist consultation?
Ask who will treat you and what their training is, whether you get a written plan and total cost, how you can pay, how often you'll come in, which offices you can use, what happens with problems, and whether you can start or transfer. Here are the nine questions, with what a good answer sounds like.
1. Who will actually treat me, and what is their training?
You want a name and a straight answer about training. A good answer names the doctor who examines you and designs your plan, and their orthodontic residency. At Miller Orthodontics, I examine every new patient myself and the treatment plan is mine.
2. Do I get a written treatment plan and estimated timeline at the first visit?
You should leave knowing what treatment is recommended, why, and about how long it will take. A good answer sounds like: "Yes, before you leave you'll see your plan and an estimated timeline." That's how we do it. Most of our patients are in treatment 12 to 24 months, and I'll give you your own estimate at the visit.
3. What is the total cost in writing, and what is included?
Ask whether it covers the braces or aligners, every adjustment visit, retainers and any refinements. A good answer is a written number, not a ballpark. At our office you get your exact cost in writing at the free consultation. Your first set of retainers is included with comprehensive treatment, and optional extras like whitening or extended retainer protection are quoted separately. Most patients invest between $3,000 and $7,200; see fees and financing for the details.
4. How can I pay?
Ask about interest, credit checks, who holds the loan, discounts and insurance. A good answer is specific. Ours: most patients start with $300 down and pay the balance over treatment at 0% interest, in house, with no credit check. Extended-term financing through HFD is there if you'd like smaller monthly payments. We offer discounts for teachers, military members, first responders and full-time students, accept HSA and FSA funds, and verify your insurance benefits at no charge before your visit.
5. Will the orthodontist see me at each visit? How long are appointments and how often?
Ask how the visits work so you can plan around school and work. A good answer gives real numbers. At Miller Orthodontics most patients come in every 6 to 10 weeks, and appointments run 15 to 30 minutes. Our Tampa office has evening appointments, and those book up first.
6. Which offices and days can I use, and can I switch offices?
This matters more than people expect. We have three offices with the same services at each one: Tampa (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8am to 7pm, Friday 8am to 2pm), Brandon (Wednesday 8am to 4pm) and Apollo Beach (Tuesday 8am to 4pm). You can be seen at whichever office works best for you.
7. What happens if something breaks or I have pain on a day my office is closed?
A good answer tells you exactly who to call and where you'll be seen. Ours: call (813) 427-2237. Our Tampa office is closed Wednesdays, so if you have an urgent issue that day, call and we'll see you at another office.
8. Can I start right away if I am ready?
A good answer is "yes, if you'd like to, and no pressure if you don't." Many of our patients start treatment the same day as their consultation. If that's your plan, mention it when you book.
9. Can I transfer in from another practice? What would I pay?
If you moved to Tampa mid-treatment, or want a fresh set of eyes, ask how transfers work. At our office you pay only for the treatment you have left, and the transfer consultation is free. Read more about transferring your treatment.
Bring these to every consultation
Copy this list into your phone and fill it in at each office:
- Who examined me, and what is their training?
- What treatment do they recommend, and why?
- What is the estimated timeline?
- What is the total cost in writing, and what does it include (retainers, adjustments, refinements)?
- How much is due to start, and is there interest or a credit check?
- Which discounts and insurance benefits apply to me?
- How often are visits, and how long do they take?
- Which offices and days can I use?
- Who do I call if something breaks, and where will I be seen?
- Can I start the same day, and can I transfer later if I move?
Local practice, large chain or mail-order aligners: how do they compare?
No option is right for everyone. A local orthodontic practice gives you continuity with the same doctor, a large chain may offer more locations, and mail-order aligners skip the in-person exam. The biggest differences are who plans your treatment, whether you're examined in person and what happens when something goes wrong.
| Local orthodontist practice | Large multi-location chain | Mail-order aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who plans treatment | The orthodontist who examines you | A licensed doctor; who that is can vary by office or visit | A remote provider, usually from photos or scans |
| In-person visits | Yes, throughout treatment | Yes, throughout treatment | Few or none |
| Exam and X-rays first | Yes | Yes | Not always |
| If there's a problem | Call the office and come in | Call the office and come in | Handled remotely or by mail |
| Who it suits | People who want the same doctor start to finish | People who want many locations to choose from | Some mild cases, after an exam confirms they qualify |
At Miller Orthodontics you get an exam with me before any plan is made.
What are the red flags when comparing orthodontist quotes?
The biggest red flags are pressure to sign that day, no written total, and treatment started without an in-person exam and X-rays. Also watch for an unclear treating doctor, hidden fees and no plan for urgent problems. Any one of these is worth a second opinion.
- Pressure to sign the same day. Starting the same day should be your choice, never a condition of the price.
- No written total. If the number isn't on paper, you can't compare it.
- Aligners shipped without an in-person exam and X-rays. Your teeth and the bone around them need to be checked first.
- An unclear treating doctor. You should know who is responsible for your plan.
- "Free" offers with hidden fees. Ask whether retainers, refinements and emergency visits are included.
- No plan for urgent problems. Ask what happens if a wire pokes on a Saturday or a day your office is closed.
How should you read orthodontist reviews online?
Look for recent reviews that describe the team, the process and how treatment went, not just a star rating. Notice how the practice responds, especially to a less happy review. Patterns across many reviews tell you more than any single one.
A few things I'd look for:
- Recent dates. The last few months matter most.
- Specifics. "They explained my cost up front" or "they fit me in when a bracket broke" tells you how the office runs.
- Responses. A calm, helpful reply to a complaint is a good sign.
Miller Orthodontics is 5-star rated on Google. You can read what our patients say on our Google reviews page.
What happens at a free consultation at Miller Orthodontics?
Your free consultation takes about an hour and covers four steps: a tour and records, an exam with me, your treatment plan and timeline, and your exact cost in writing. No referral is needed, there's no obligation, and many patients start the same day.
- Tour and records. We show you around and take photos and X-rays as needed.
- Exam with Dr. Miller. I look at your teeth, bite and jaws and talk through what I see in plain language.
- Your plan and timeline. You'll hear what I recommend, why, and about how long it will take.
- Your exact cost in writing. A treatment coordinator walks you through insurance and payment options.
For a step-by-step look, read what to expect at your first visit. And if you have a nervous kid (or you're a nervous adult), our therapy dogs Millie and Nash are part of the team.
Where are Miller Orthodontics' offices?
Miller Orthodontics has three offices: Tampa (1303 W Fletcher Ave), Brandon (213 Kingsway Rd) and Apollo Beach (122 Harbor Village Ln). All three offer the same services, and you can be seen at whichever one is most convenient.
| Office | Address | Days and hours | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa (Carrollwood / North Tampa) | 1303 W Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 | Mon, Tue, Thu 8am to 7pm; Fri 8am to 2pm; closed Wednesdays | Book at this office |
| Brandon | 213 Kingsway Rd, Brandon, FL 33510 | Wednesday 8am to 4pm | Book at this office |
| Apollo Beach (inside SmileLynn Pediatric Dentistry) | 122 Harbor Village Ln, Apollo Beach, FL 33572 | Tuesday 8am to 4pm | Book at this office |
Our Tampa office is closed Wednesdays. If you have an urgent issue that day, call (813) 427-2237 and we'll see you at another office.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose an orthodontist?
Check their training, get a written treatment plan and total cost, find out who treats you at each visit, compare payment options and office days, and use free consultations to compare practices. The nine questions in this post cover it: who treats you, the written plan, the total cost, how you pay, how visits work, which offices you can use, what happens with problems, same-day starts and transfers. Ask the same nine at every office so the answers are easy to compare.
What is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who completed extra residency training in moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. A general dentist looks after your overall oral health and may offer simple aligner cases. Both matter. During orthodontic treatment you keep seeing your dentist for cleanings and checkups, and the two offices work together. Think of it this way: your dentist keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and your orthodontist moves the teeth and lines up the bite.
Can my regular dentist do Invisalign or braces?
Some general dentists can, usually for simple cases. Ask how many cases they treat, who plans the treatment and what happens if the plan needs to change. An orthodontist focuses only on tooth movement, so it's reasonable to get an orthodontic opinion too, especially if your bite or crowding is more involved. A good provider, dentist or orthodontist, will tell you plainly when a case is outside what they treat.
Is a local orthodontist better than a large chain?
Neither is better for everyone. Compare who treats you, whether you see the same doctor over time, how flexible the scheduling is and how clear the price is. At Miller Orthodontics, I examine you and design your plan, and you get your cost in writing before you commit to anything. You can also be seen at any of our three offices, Tampa, Brandon or Apollo Beach, which helps when your schedule changes.
Are at-home or mail-order aligners worth it?
They can work for some mild cases, but they usually skip the in-person exam and X-rays, and problems are handled remotely. An exam first is the safer start, because it checks the teeth and the bone around them. Ask an orthodontist whether your case is a good fit before you order anything. If it turns out you need more than mild movement, it's much easier to learn that before you start than halfway through.
How much should I expect to pay for braces or Invisalign in Tampa?
Most patients at Miller Orthodontics invest between $3,000 and $7,200, depending on how long treatment takes and how complex the case is. Treatment starts at $300 down with 0% interest in-house financing. You get your exact cost in writing at your free consultation. Extended financing through HFD and discounts for teachers, military, first responders and full-time students are also available. See fees and financing for the details.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can book directly with Miller Orthodontics without a referral from your dentist. The one exception is Medicaid patients with MCNA Dental or Sunshine Health, which require a referral from your general dentist. We're happy to coordinate with your dentist throughout treatment either way. If you have insurance, we verify your orthodontic benefits at no charge before your visit.
Should I get more than one consultation?
Yes, it's reasonable to compare. Consultations at Miller Orthodontics are free with no obligation, and they take about an hour. Bring the checklist from this post, write down each office's answers, and compare the written plans and totals side by side before you decide. A good office will never mind you taking a day, or a week, to think it over.
Can I switch orthodontists in the middle of treatment?
Yes. Miller Orthodontics accepts transfer patients at all three offices, and you pay only for the treatment you have remaining. The transfer consultation is free. Try to come in before your next scheduled adjustment, since gaps in care can let teeth drift and add months to treatment. Read how transferring your treatment works.
Ready to compare? Start with a free consultation
Bring your questions and your checklist. You'll leave with a written plan, a timeline and your exact cost, and no pressure to decide that day. Book your free consultation or call (813) 427-2237.
Free consultation, no referral needed, $300 down.
Miller Orthodontics · Tampa, Brandon and Apollo Beach · (813) 427-2237 · info@northtampabraces.com