How to choose an orthodontist in Little Elm.
Most people pick an orthodontist the way they pick a restaurant: closest, best reviews, decent price. Those matter. A few other things matter more and take about five minutes to check.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026Check that the person treating you is an orthodontist, not a dentist who also does braces. Then ask whether they’re board certified, who owns the practice, and whether you’ll see the same doctors at each visit. Look at real cases. Reviews and price come after that.
- Orthodontist or dentist who offers braces? In Texas, any licensed dentist can offer braces or aligners. An orthodontist completed a two to three year residency focused only on orthodontics. “Dental and Orthodontics” on a sign can mean either, so ask who will plan and supervise your treatment, and what their training is.
- Board certification. Certification through the American Board of Orthodontics is voluntary. An orthodontist who earns it has passed a written exam and a clinical exam judged by other orthodontists, and renews it periodically. Check anyone’s status on the ABO website. It isn’t the only measure of a good orthodontist, but it’s an independent one.
- Who owns the practice? Many orthodontic offices are now owned or backed by larger groups and private equity. That isn’t automatically bad, but ownership affects how often doctors change and who makes decisions when something goes sideways. Ownership isn’t always obvious from a website, so ask.
- Will you see the same doctors? Some offices rotate doctors between locations. Others have one doctor plan the case and assistants handle most visits. Ask who you’ll actually see.
- Look at real results. Ask for finished cases like yours, from that office. Not stock photos or a manufacturer’s gallery. Elate’s gallery is all their own patients.
- How the consult feels. A good consult explains the problem, what happens if you wait, and exactly what it costs. You should leave able to compare it with any other office.
Dr. Baharvand also runs TheOrthodontistNearMe.com, a directory that lists ownership and board certification for orthodontic practices, partly because this information is so hard to find.
A checklist to bring
- Is the treating doctor an orthodontist? Board certified?
- Who owns the practice?
- Will I see the same doctors every visit?
- Can I see finished cases like mine?
- What exactly is included in the fee, and what costs extra?
- What’s the retainer plan after treatment?
We’ll be upfront again: we recommend Elate Orthodontics for Little Elm families because of how it answers this list, and because it’s Dr. Baharvand’s practice. Use the same list wherever you go.
Who you’d see at Elate.
Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS
Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Boston University, then his orthodontic residency at Jacksonville University. AJO-DO cover clinician, Orthotown editorial board member, and a national lecturer on clear aligners. D Magazine Best Dentist 2026 and DFWChild Mom Approved 2026.
Dr. Julia Kang, DMD
Dental degrees from Seoul National University and Boston University, with a clinical externship at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. JCO Resident of the Year finalist. Named to topDentists for the Dallas area five years running, a list chosen by other dentists.
Common questions
How do I check if an orthodontist is board certified?
You can look up any orthodontist on the American Board of Orthodontics website at americanboardortho.com.
Does it matter who owns an orthodontic practice?
Ownership can affect doctor turnover, appointment length, and who makes decisions. Ask the office directly who owns it.
Talk to a board-certified orthodontist near Little Elm.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.