Last updated: April 2026
If you live in Flint or anywhere in Genesee County and you’ve typed “orthodontist Flint MI” into Google, you’ve probably seen a handful of practices show up. Some are in the city itself. Others are a short drive away in the surrounding towns. Some are general dentists who also do braces. Others, like us at Dr. Wax Orthodontics, are dedicated orthodontic specialists.
This guide helps you tell them apart, explains what to look for, and introduces our three Genesee County locations, Linden, Highland, and Flushing, which are within a short drive of Flint for families across the area.
Finding an Orthodontist in the Flint Area
Flint and the rest of Genesee County, home to about 400,000 people across cities and townships from Linden and Fenton to Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Davison, have several orthodontic options. The right fit depends on three things: the distance you’re willing to drive, whether you want a specialist or a dentist who does braces on the side, and the feel of the practice you want for your family. Dr. Wax Orthodontics serves Flint-area families from three nearby locations and offers free first consults with no referral required.
Here’s how to think about the decision.
Orthodontist vs General Dentist: Why It Matters
This is the distinction most families don’t realize exists.
A general dentist finishes 4 years of dental school and is trained in all aspects of oral health, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, pediatric care, and yes, sometimes braces or aligners. Some offer orthodontic treatment as an add-on service.
An orthodontist finishes the same 4 years of dental school, then completes an additional 2 to 3 years of full-time residency training specifically in tooth movement, jaw alignment, and bite correction. We don’t do fillings or crowns. We do orthodontics, all day, every day.
The American Association of Orthodontists only admits orthodontists who’ve completed this specialist residency. When you’re looking for an orthodontist, AAO membership is a baseline credential worth looking for.
Why this matters in practice:
- Complex cases (severe crowding, bite problems, skeletal issues, surgical orthodontics) need specialist expertise
- Early treatment decisions for kids (whether a 7-year-old needs Phase 1 intervention) benefit from specialist judgment
- Invisalign outcomes correlate with provider case volume, a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider handles significantly more cases than a general dentist who does a few per year
- A specialist is looking only at orthodontic outcomes, not juggling cleanings and extractions alongside
For minor cosmetic alignment, a dentist who does aligners may be fine. For children, for bite issues, for Invisalign with attachments or elastics, or for anything beyond minor cases, a specialist is worth the extra consideration.
What to Look For in a Flint-Area Orthodontist
When comparing practices in Flint and Genesee County, here are the factors worth weighing:
Credentials. Look for “DDS, MS” or “DMD, MS”, the MS (Master of Science in Orthodontics) confirms specialist training. AAO membership confirms board credentials. For Invisalign, provider tier (Premier, Premier Plus, Diamond, Diamond Plus) indicates case volume and experience.
Doctor continuity. At larger chain practices, you may see a different doctor at every visit. For a treatment that spans 18 to 24 months, consistency matters. Ask: “Will my child see the same doctor start to finish?”
Transparent pricing. A good practice tells you what treatment costs before you sign anything. Be wary of offices where the price only appears at the contract stage. Our average treatment at Wax Ortho is $5,500 to $6,000, with braces and Invisalign priced the same, and we tell you at the consult.
Free consultations. Most specialists offer free first consults with no referral required. If an office charges $150 to $300 for the initial visit, that’s a yellow flag about their broader approach.
Flexibility. Modern ortho offices offer early-morning appointments, virtual check-ins for aligner patients, and flexible payment plans. For working parents juggling kids’ schedules, this matters. For families with co-parenting dynamics, it matters even more.
How kids feel there. This one is subjective but important. Bring your child to the consult. Watch how the team interacts with them. If your kid is dreading the next appointment, you’ll feel it for the next 18 months.
Community roots. Practices owned by local doctors tend to invest differently than corporate chains. Not a universal rule, but a pattern worth noticing.
About Dr. Wax Orthodontics
I founded Dr. Wax Orthodontics in 2014 with one simple goal: to build the kind of orthodontic practice I’d want for my own four kids. That means specialist-level clinical care, genuinely warm environments, and flexibility for families whose lives don’t fit into neat 9-to-5 boxes.
Here’s the short version of my background:
- DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
- Master’s in Orthodontics (MS) from the University of Detroit Mercy
- Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider (top 1% by case volume in the U.S.)
- Named to Flint and Genesee Group’s 40 Under 40 (2024)
- Featured on Elevate Orthodontics Podcast and Shared Practices Podcast
- Active member, American Association of Orthodontists
- Third-generation dentist, born into the field
- Mom of four (which matters more than any credential on the list)
I’m joined in practice by Dr. Jason Scherer, who did his undergrad at Harvard, dental school at the University of Michigan (graduating at the top of his class), and orthodontic residency at UNC. He’s been practicing with me for over six years. Between us, families get the continuity of seeing the same specialists every visit.
We have three offices serving Genesee County:
Linden (our flagship, home of our Evers & Ollie coffee shop), 120 N Bridge St, Linden, MI 48451. About 20 minutes from downtown Flint.
Highland, 161 N Milford Rd #101, Highland, MI 48357. Convenient for families in the southern and western parts of the county.
Flushing, 124 S Cherry St, Flushing, MI 48433. About 15 minutes from Flint, serving the northwestern part of the county.
Our team travels between all three offices, so you’ll see the same familiar faces regardless of which one you visit. See all three locations.
Orthodontic Services We Offer Flint-Area Families
| Service | Who It’s For | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Braces | Kids, teens, and adults | Traditional and clear braces; most versatile option for complex cases |
| Invisalign & Clear Aligners | Teens and adults (and some kids) | Diamond Plus Provider; Invisalign Teen for ages 13–19 |
| Palate Expanders | Kids ages 7–10 (Phase 1) | Creates space, corrects crossbites, works with natural growth |
| Virtual Monitoring | Aligner patients | Weekly phone scans, fewer in-office visits |
| Retainer Program | Post-treatment patients | Ongoing replacements to protect your investment |
| Night Guards | Adults and teens who grind | Custom-fit protection for bruxism |
| Early Treatment Evaluation | Kids age 7 and up | AAO-recommended first screening |
All treatments start with a free consultation, no referral, no deposit, and no pressure to decide on the spot.
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How to Book a Free Consult
Three ways:
- Online: Book directly at waxortho.com/contact. Pick a location, pick a time, done.
- By phone: Call or text any of our three offices, Linden (810) 458-6188, Highland (248) 684-9300, Flushing (810) 867-4430.
- By email: smile@waxortho.com
For Flint-area families specifically, our Flushing office is often the closest (about 15 minutes from downtown Flint). Linden and Highland are also within a 20 to 30 minute drive from most parts of the Flint metro area. Pick whichever fits your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have an office in Flint proper?
Our three offices are in Linden, Highland, and Flushing, all within Genesee County and within a short drive of Flint. Flushing is typically the closest to Flint proper (about 15 minutes). We chose these locations specifically to serve families across the county, including those in Flint, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, and the surrounding areas.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can book directly. The American Association of Orthodontists confirms no referral is required. If your dentist sent notes or X-rays, bring them, we’ll use them. But you don’t need written permission to see an orthodontist.
Are you an orthodontic specialist or a general dentist?
Both Dr. Wax and Dr. Scherer are orthodontic specialists, meaning we completed dental school plus additional full-time residency training in orthodontics. We’re both active AAO members. We only do orthodontics, not general dentistry.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we work with most major dental insurance plans that include orthodontic coverage. At your free consult, we verify your specific benefits and show you exactly what’s covered. We also offer flexible in-house payment plans for families whose insurance doesn’t cover ortho or who need to spread costs over time.
What ages do you treat?
Everyone from kids age 6 or 7 through adults in their 60s and 70s. The AAO recommends first screenings by age 7. Treatment approaches vary by age, but orthodontics works at any stage of life.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right orthodontist for your Flint-area family comes down to credentials, continuity, transparency, and fit. Take the free consult. Ask the questions. Pay attention to how your kid feels in the room.
We’d love the chance to meet you. Book a free consultation at whichever of our three Genesee County offices works best for your schedule. Learn more about us before you come if you’d like, we’re an open book.
About the Author
Dr. Nicole Wax, DDS, MS is a board-trained orthodontic specialist and 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. She’s a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider, 40 Under 40 honoree (2024), and active member of the American Association of Orthodontists. Since 2014, she’s served Genesee County families from offices in Linden, Highland, and Flushing, and built her practice around the belief that local families deserve specialist-level care without the corporate feel.