Free orthodontic consultations: what to expect

Page updated October 22, 2026.

Most orthodontists who belong to the American Association of Orthodontists offer the first consultation free or at low cost (AAO), and many with no obligation to go ahead (AAO). You don't need a referral from your dentist (AAO). Here is what a free consultation includes, what it doesn't, how to compare offices, and the questions that get you a quote you can compare.

Are orthodontic consultations really free?

Often, yes. The AAO says most of its member orthodontists offer low-cost or free initial consultations (AAO), and that many offer the first visit at no cost and with no obligation (AAO). "Most" isn't "all", so confirm when you book: ask whether the consultation, and any X-rays or scans taken at it, are free, and whether there's a charge if you decide not to go ahead. We haven't found a reliable published average for paid consultations, so if an office charges, ask what the fee covers and whether it's credited toward treatment.

What happens at a consultation

The AAO describes a typical first appointment (AAO):

1. Forms: medical and dental history, health concerns and treatment preferences, often filled in online beforehand.
2. Exam: the orthodontist checks your teeth, jaws and bite for crowding, misalignment or bite problems.
3. Records: X-rays show the teeth, roots and jawbones; photos and molds or digital scans may be taken to plan treatment.
4. Discussion: the findings and the types of braces or aligners that could work.
5. Treatment plan: the appliance, expected length, likely results, and risks or limitations.
6. Money: the cost, payment options, insurance coverage and any discounts or payment plans.

If you go ahead, treatment usually starts at a separate appointment where the braces or aligners are fitted (AAO).

What to bring

• Your dental and medical history, including medications (AAO)
• Your dental insurance card or details (AAO)
• Contact details for your dentist and doctor (AAO)
• Your questions, written down (AAO)

Questions to ask

The AAO suggests asking (AAO):

• Are you a member of the American Association of Orthodontists?
• What concerns do you see in my smile or bite?
• What treatment do you recommend, and why?
• How often will I need appointments?
• What will treatment cost, and what payment or insurance options are there?
• How do you handle emergencies and broken appliances?

Then the cost questions that make quotes comparable. The AAO advises asking what is and isn't included, since an all-inclusive fee may cover the braces, every appointment including emergency visits, and the retainers afterward (AAO):

• What's the total fee, and what exactly does it include?
• Are retainers included, and what does a replacement cost (AAO)?
• Is there an interest-free payment plan? Many run 12 to 24 months (AAO)
• Will you file the insurance claim and track my lifetime maximum?

Comparing more than one orthodontist

The AAO says you may choose to meet more than one orthodontist before starting, and that a consultation helps you understand your diagnosis and compare recommendations (AAO). It also says no option is automatically better than another (AAO). When you compare:

Check a quote against typical prices: metal braces run $3,000 to $7,000 and clear aligners $4,000 to $7,000 before insurance (CareCredit). Our braces cost calculator adjusts for your state.

Orthodontist or general dentist?

Orthodontists complete 24 to 36 months of specialty training after dental school (AAO), and some general dentists also offer aligners. Either can give a consultation, but ask who will plan and supervise your treatment. See orthodontist vs dentist.

Free scans from at-home aligner companies

If you're weighing an at-home aligner company against an in-person consultation, the AAO warns that at-home treatment can skip the exam and X-rays that show roots, missing teeth and bone, and that unsupervised treatment can cause irreversible damage such as tooth and gum loss and changed bites (AAO). A free consultation with an orthodontist who examines you and takes X-rays is the safer place to start. See at-home aligners.

Consultations for children

The AAO recommends every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7 (AAO), and many orthodontists see children for that first visit free (AAO). Most children don't start treatment then; the visit may end with "no treatment needed" or periodic check-ups (AAO). See phase 1 orthodontics.