Last updated: April 2026
“Free” is one of those words that makes people squint. When an orthodontist offers a free consultation, what are you actually getting — and what’s the catch?
Usually none. But usually isn’t always, so it’s worth knowing the difference.
At Dr. Wax Orthodontics, a free consultation means the full visit — exam, X-rays, digital scans, photos, treatment plan, and cost estimate — at zero cost to you. No deposit, no fine print, no “imaging is extra.” You leave with a plan or with a reassuring “nothing needed yet.” Either way, you don’t pay a dime for the visit.
Not every practice works that way. Some offer “free exams” that don’t include X-rays (which then cost $150+ separately). Others charge $50 to $300 for consults. This explains what’s included in our free consult, what to watch for at other offices, and how to book.
What’s Included in a Free Orthodontic Consultation?
A free orthodontic consultation at Wax Ortho includes a full exam of your teeth and bite, digital 3D scans, panoramic X-rays, photos, a personalized treatment plan, insurance benefits verification, and a clear cost estimate — all at no charge. The visit runs about 45 to 60 minutes. You leave with everything you need to make an informed decision, and no pressure to make it that day.
Nothing is added later. Nothing gets billed to your insurance after the fact. If you decide not to move forward, you pay nothing.
Do You Need a Referral? (Short Answer: No)
Parents ask this constantly. The answer: no, you don’t need a referral from your dentist to see an orthodontist.
The American Association of Orthodontists explicitly states that no referral is required. You can book directly with any orthodontic practice. This is true regardless of your insurance (with rare exceptions for certain HMO plans — we verify your specific coverage at the consult).
That said, if your dentist spotted something and suggested an orthodontic evaluation, that’s great information. Bring any X-rays or notes they sent, and we’ll use them to save you from retaking images. But you don’t need a written referral to book.
Dentists and orthodontists are different specialists. A dentist is trained in general oral health: cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns. An orthodontist completes dental school plus an additional 2 to 3 years of residency specifically in tooth movement, jaw alignment, and bite correction. We see only orthodontic cases all day, every day. That’s what makes us the right call for braces, Invisalign, and bite issues.
What “Free” Actually Means at Wax Ortho
Some practices use “free consultation” to mean different things. Here’s what it doesn’t mean at Wax Ortho, and what it does.
Free doesn’t mean basic. Our free consult includes the full diagnostic workup — exam, digital 3D scans using our iTero scanner, panoramic X-ray, and treatment planning. Some practices charge extra for X-rays or 3D scans. Always ask what’s included before you book.
Free doesn’t mean rushed. We block 45 to 60 minutes for every new consult. Longer for complex cases or younger children who need time to warm up. You get the full conversation, not a drive-through version.
Free doesn’t mean pushy. No one at our office gets a commission based on whether you start treatment. There’s no “sign today to lock in this price” script. If you want to go home and think about it, that’s the default. If you want a second opinion from another practice, we encourage that. Confidence in your choice matters.
Free doesn’t have a catch. If you walk out without starting treatment, you owe nothing. We don’t bill your insurance for the visit. We don’t charge a records fee. We don’t hold your X-rays hostage — if you want to take them to another practice, we’ll send them over. Free really does mean free.
Here’s the industry context: a paid consultation at other practices typically runs $50 to $300. Some include X-rays, some don’t. A “free exam” at a practice that charges $150 for X-rays is actually a $150 consult. Read the fine print.
How Long It Takes and What We Use
A free consult at Wax Ortho takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Here’s what happens during that time.
Minutes 0 to 5 — Welcome and paperwork. Quick check-in, new-patient forms if you haven’t filled them out online, and a stop at the coffee bar (Evers & Ollie, free for every patient) at our Linden location.
Minutes 5 to 15 — Office tour and introductions. You meet the team, see the space, and help your kid get comfortable. We’ve found that nervous kids settle faster when they’ve seen the room they’ll be in before anything happens.
Minutes 15 to 35 — The exam. Visual exam, digital 3D scan with the iTero scanner, panoramic X-ray, and photos. The scan takes about 5 minutes and is way better than the old goop impressions. The X-ray takes 30 seconds. Kids usually think it’s kind of cool.
Minutes 35 to 50 — The conversation. We walk through what we see on the screen, explain what it means, and talk through options. If treatment is recommended, we discuss braces vs Invisalign, timeline, and cost. We verify your insurance benefits and give you a monthly payment estimate.
Minutes 50 to 60 — Your questions. This is your time. We’ve probably hit most of what you wanted to know already, but we cover anything else. Then we schedule the next step if you’re ready, or send you home with materials if you want to think about it.
Detailed walk-through: what to expect at your orthodontist consultation.
What Happens if Treatment Isn’t Needed Yet
This is the outcome a lot of families don’t expect — and it’s a common one, especially for young children.
If your child is 7 or 8 and we evaluate their bite and jaw growth and determine nothing needs action yet, we’ll tell you directly. There’s no incentive for us to recommend treatment that isn’t needed. What we’ll do instead is put your child in our monitoring program. That means:
- A brief recheck appointment every 6 to 12 months at no charge
- Ongoing tracking of jaw growth, tooth eruption, and developing bite patterns
- A clear plan for when treatment would be appropriate, if ever
Monitoring is how we catch the right window. Some kids are best treated at 8. Others at 11. Some never need treatment at all. The only way to know is to have eyes on it at the right times.
For adults or teens where the evaluation shows no meaningful concern, we’ll give you that answer too. “Your bite is within normal range. No action needed.” Done.
This is what we mean when we say the consult is about clarity, not conversion. Sometimes clarity is “we don’t need to do anything.”
Booking a Free Consult in Genesee County
Dr. Wax Orthodontics has three offices serving Genesee County families:
- Linden (flagship, includes Evers & Ollie coffee shop on site) — 120 N Bridge St, Linden, MI 48451 — (810) 458-6188
- Highland — 161 N Milford Rd #101, Highland, MI 48357 — (248) 684-9300
- Flushing — 124 S Cherry St, Flushing, MI 48433 — (810) 867-4430
All three offices offer full orthodontic care, including braces, Invisalign, expanders for kids, virtual monitoring, and our retainer program. Our team travels between locations, so you’ll see the same familiar faces wherever you go.
You can book directly online at waxortho.com/contact or call any of the offices above. No referral needed, no deposit required, no forms to fill out before you arrive (we handle those at check-in).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the free orthodontic consultation really 100% free?
Yes. At Dr. Wax Orthodontics, the consultation is free regardless of whether you start treatment. There’s no records fee, no X-ray charge, no “imaging is extra” surprise. If you decide not to move forward after the visit, you pay nothing.
Does a free consultation include X-rays?
At our offices, yes. Some other practices advertise “free consults” that don’t include imaging, which then costs extra. Always ask what’s included. Ours includes a full panoramic X-ray, digital 3D scans, and photos.
Can I get a free second opinion?
Absolutely. We’re happy to provide a free second-opinion consultation. Bring any records or X-rays from the other practice and we’ll review them alongside our own exam. Some families come to us because they wanted another perspective before starting treatment, and we welcome that.
How soon can I get a consult?
Most new-patient consults are scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks of booking, often sooner. We offer early-morning and after-school appointments across our three locations to fit around work and school schedules.
What ages do you see for free consults?
All ages. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids be screened by age 7, but we see patients from age 6 through adults well into their 60s and 70s. Treatment works at any age — the approach just changes based on where you are.
The Bottom Line
A free orthodontic consultation should give you three things: a clear picture of what’s going on, a clear plan (even if the plan is “nothing yet”), and a clear cost if treatment is recommended. No fine print, no pressure, no surprises.
If you’re ready to book — or just want to ask a question before you commit — contact any of our offices. Linden, Highland, or Flushing, whichever works for you. We’ll take it from there.
About the Author
Dr. Nicole Wax, DDS, MS is the founder of Dr. Wax Orthodontics. She holds a DDS from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Orthodontics from the University of Detroit Mercy. Since 2014, she’s built a practice around the idea that orthodontic care should be informative, flexible, and genuinely kind — starting with a free first visit where families actually feel seen. She’s a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider, a 40 Under 40 honoree (2024), and a mom of four.