Top-Rated Orthodontists in South Florida To Get Your Braces Done in 2026

If you’re looking for an orthodontist across South Florida, you have more options than patients in most U.S. cities. The region stretches from Miami up through Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, and it’s filled with everything from single-doctor private offices to corporate groups running 13+ locations. That variety is great, but it also means you need to do your homework. The American Association of Orthodontists says kids should get their first check by age 7, and treatment options today range from classic metal braces and tooth-colored ceramic brackets to nearly invisible Invisalign trays. What works best depends on your bite, your lifestyle, and what you’re comfortable spending. This guide breaks down 5 top-rated orthodontists across South Florida in 2026, looking at each doctor’s training, board certifications, treatment menu, office locations, and what makes each one different.

How to Select the Top-Rated Orthodontists in South Florida

We looked at each practice using five specific criteria: the lead doctor’s board certification and where they trained, their Invisalign provider tier, the full range of treatments they offer, how many South Florida counties they cover, and whether they make treatment affordable through financing, insurance, and free consultations.

Board Certification and Academic Credentials: We confirmed whether the lead doctor earned American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) certification, a voluntary credential requiring written exams, oral exams, and peer-reviewed case presentations.
Invisalign Provider Tier: We checked each practice’s Invisalign tier (Diamond, Diamond Plus, or top 1% designation), which reflects the number of aligner cases they’ve completed.
Treatment Range for All Ages: We reviewed whether the practice offers metal, ceramic, gold, and lingual braces, plus Invisalign, surgical orthodontics, and early interceptive care for kids.
Location Coverage Across South Florida: We mapped their geographic reach across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
Accessibility: Financing, Insurance, and Free Consultations: We looked for 0% interest payment plans, insurance acceptance (including state programs), and complimentary consultations.

List of the Top-Rated Orthodontists in South Florida for Braces in 2026

Here are the five practices we recommend based on credentials, experience, and patient access:

Freeman Orthodontics
Vista Orthodontics
Cooper Orthodontics
deRoode Orthodontics
Coral Orthodontics

Top-Rated Orthodontists in South Florida for Braces in 2026

1. Freeman Orthodontics

Doctor: Dr. Christopher S. Freeman, DMD, MS; finished first in his class at University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (2001); earned MS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from University of Michigan School of Dentistry; holds twice-earned Diplomate certification from the American Board of Orthodontics; published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Journal of NeuroVirology, and Journal of Clinical Dentistry.
Founded and Location: Opened in 2004; operates in Fort Lauderdale and Plantation, FL; the last remaining private, locally-owned, doctor-run practice in Fort Lauderdale where Dr. Freeman personally sees every patient at every appointment.
Treatments: Metal braces, clear ceramic braces, Invisalign, custom clear aligners, surgical orthodontics; serves patients ages 7 to 75; offers VIP Virtual Visits.
Distinctions: Named Best Orthodontist in Fort Lauderdale; served as past president of Broward Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and Fort Lauderdale Spear Study Club; member of American Association of Orthodontists and American Dental Association.
Patient Technology: The only South Florida practice using digital tech for a Retainer Warranty Program; uses digital X-rays that cut radiation exposure by up to 90%; provides free consultations; accepts most insurance plans; offers flexible payment arrangements.

Practice Overview: Dr. Christopher S. Freeman launched his braces clinic in South Florida back in 2004 after graduating at the top of his University of Kentucky dental class and completing his orthodontic residency at University of Michigan. His Fort Lauderdale and Plantation offices are the only remaining private, locally-owned, doctor-operated orthodontic practice in Fort Lauderdale, which means you see Dr. Freeman at every single visit instead of rotating through associate doctors. He’s earned Diplomate status from the American Board of Orthodontics twice and has research published in leading orthodontic journals. His practice is the only one in the region offering a digital Retainer Warranty Program, and he treats everyone from second-graders to seniors, with virtual visit options when needed.

Best For: Fort Lauderdale and Plantation patients who want a board-certified specialist with more than 20 years in the same location, seeing them personally at every appointment instead of handing them off to rotating associates.

Standout Feature: The last private, locally-owned, doctor-operated practice left in Fort Lauderdale, where every visit is personally handled by Dr. Freeman, a twice Board-Certified Diplomate with two decades at the same address.

2. Vista Orthodontics

Doctors: Dr. Succar earned BA Magna Cum Laude from Florida International University (2003), DMD from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine (2007), and MS in Dentistry plus Certificate in Orthodontics from Nova Southeastern University; practicing since 2010. Dr. Manda holds BS Biology from Nova Southeastern University, DMD from University of Pittsburgh, and MS in Dentistry plus Orthodontic Residency from Nova Southeastern University.
Locations: Six offices across South Florida in Coconut Creek, Estero, Naples, Pompano Beach, Royal Palm Beach, and West Palm Beach.
Invisalign Status: Top 1% Worldwide Invisalign Diamond Provider; voted Top Orthodontist in 2024 and 2025; earned Best of America recognition.
Patient Volume: Over 2,000 five-star reviews; thousands of completed smile cases across Florida.
Accessibility: Free consultation plus digital X-ray (a $395 value); 0% interest financing; low down payments; flexible monthly payment plans.

Practice Overview: Vista Orthodontics runs six South Florida locations in Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Estero, Naples, Royal Palm Beach, and West Palm Beach, led by Dr. Succar (Harvard-trained, practicing since 2010) and Dr. Manda (University of Pittsburgh dental degree, Nova Southeastern orthodontic specialty). They’ve earned Top 1% Worldwide Invisalign Diamond Provider status and were voted Top Orthodontist two years running, with Best of America honors and over 2,000 five-star patient reviews. Every new patient gets a complimentary consultation and digital X-ray, a service package worth $395, and they offer 0% interest financing to make treatment more affordable.

Best For: Patients across Broward, Palm Beach, and Southwest Florida who want a multi-location Top 1% Invisalign Diamond Provider with thousands of documented cases, over 2,000 five-star reviews, and zero-interest payment plans.

Standout Feature: Top 1% Worldwide Invisalign Diamond Provider status combined with six convenient South Florida offices, a Harvard-trained lead doctor with 15+ years of local experience, and a complimentary consultation plus digital X-ray for new patients.

3. Cooper Orthodontics

Doctors: Dr. Andrew Cooper and Dr. Justin Cooper, brother board-certified orthodontists from a dental family (their father ran a general dentistry practice in Philadelphia for 30+ years); both completed dental doctorates and orthodontic specialty programs.
Locations: 13 offices across Southeast Florida in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Boca Raton, Margate, North Fort Lauderdale, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Weston, Pembroke Pines, and other areas.
Invisalign Status: Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider, placing them in the top 1% nationwide; requires 800+ completed cases and 200+ cases managed per year.
Treatment Range: Metal braces, gold braces, clear ceramic braces, Invisalign, palate expanders, Forsus appliance, orthognathic surgery, retainers; all braces options cost the same.
Insurance and Financing: Accepts most insurance including state programs (Dentaquest, MCNA, Liberty); 0% interest in-house financing; low down payments; Patient Rewards program; free consultations.

Practice Overview: Cooper Orthodontics was started by brothers Dr. Andrew Cooper and Dr. Justin Cooper, both board-certified orthodontists who grew up in a dental family where their father practiced general dentistry in Philadelphia for over 30 years. They run 13 Southeast Florida offices stretching from West Palm Beach down through Broward County. They hold Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider credentials, putting them in the top 1% of practices nationwide, and they’re one of the few groups offering metal, gold, ceramic, and Invisalign all at the same price point. They accept state insurance programs like Dentaquest, MCNA, and Liberty, plus they provide 0% in-house financing and a Patient Rewards program.

Best For: Families across Southeast Florida who need a multi-location group with 13 offices, Diamond Plus Invasalign credentials, identical pricing across all braces types, and acceptance of state insurance alongside flexible in-house financing.

Standout Feature: 13 Southeast Florida locations run by a sibling team of Diamond Plus Invisalign Providers, offering metal, gold, ceramic, and Invisalign at identical prices, with state insurance acceptance and 0% in-house financing.

4. deRoode Orthodontics

Doctor: Dr. Elaine deRoode earned DDS from UCLA School of Dentistry, graduated Cum Laude (2003); Certificate in Orthodontics from Columbia University (2005); Board-Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (2005, a distinction only 30% of orthodontists achieve); ABO Recertification (2012); fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch, and French.
Founded and Locations: Practice launched in 2003; main Brickell office at 175 SW 7th St, Suite 1408, Miami FL 33130; satellite office at 260 Crandon Blvd, Suite 31, Key Biscayne FL 33149.
Treatments: Invisalign, Damon and Damon Clear System braces, standard braces, lingual braces (behind the teeth), Orthognathic/Jaw Surgery, Interceptive Orthodontics, Facial Growth and Development; treats children and adults.
Academic and Institutional Appointments: Clinical faculty at Florida Institute for Higher Dental Education; orthodontic consultant for the Craniofacial team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (treats syndromic patients and cleft lip/palate cases).
Leadership: Past President of the Miami Dade Dental Society; Past President of the South Florida Component of the Florida Dental Association; offers complimentary consultations and digital scans.

Practice Overview: Dr. Elaine deRoode started her Miami practice in 2003 after finishing dental school at UCLA (Cum Laude) and earning a specialty certificate in orthodontics from Columbia University. She became ABO Board-Certified in 2005, a credential only 30% of orthodontists hold, and she recertified in 2012. She teaches at the Florida Institute for Higher Dental Education and serves as the orthodontic consultant for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Craniofacial team, treating kids with cleft lip/palate and other complex conditions. She’s led both the Miami Dade Dental Society and the South Florida Component of the Florida Dental Association, and she practices in four languages.

Best For: Patients in Miami’s Brickell and Key Biscayne neighborhoods, including adults, complex cases, and families with craniofacial conditions who want a UCLA/Columbia-trained, ABO Board-Certified specialist with hospital-level credentials and multilingual service.

Standout Feature: The only practice on this list with a hospital appointment as orthodontic consultant for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Craniofacial team, plus ABO Board Certification, Columbia University training, and fluency in English, Spanish, Dutch, and French.

5. Coral Orthodontics

Doctor: Dr. Prathima Adusumilli, DMD; earned DMD from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine on 100% paid scholarship (2008); completed summer externship at Harvard School of Dental Medicine; holds Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Master’s in Craniofacial Biology from Nova Southeastern University; practicing orthodontics since 2010; speaks English, Hindi, Spanish, and Telugu; award-winning orthodontist.
Founded and Location: Opened in 2014; located at 11330 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33076; serves Coral Springs, Parkland, and surrounding South Florida communities.
Treatments: Metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, lingual/hidden braces, invisible aligners; treatment customized to improve facial harmony; treats children, teens, and adults.
Accessibility: Same-day appointments available; Saturday appointments (9:30am to 2:30pm); free consultations; accepts insurance; flexible deposits and payment plans; CareCredit accepted.
Focus: Facial harmony-driven treatment philosophy that customizes all plans to improve bite and overall facial balance, not just tooth alignment.

Practice Overview: Dr. Prathima Adusumilli opened Coral Orthodontics in 2014 in Coral Springs after earning her DMD on full scholarship from Nova Southeastern University, completing a summer externship at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and obtaining her Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics plus a Master’s in Craniofacial Biology from Nova Southeastern. She’s been practicing since 2010 and has received awards for her work. Her practice stands out through a facial harmony approach that shapes every treatment plan to improve overall facial balance alongside bite and tooth alignment. She offers same-day and Saturday appointments and provides service in English, Hindi, Spanish, and Telugu.

Best For: Patients in Coral Springs, Parkland, and nearby areas who want an award-winning specialist whose treatment philosophy centers on facial harmony, with same-day and Saturday availability, multilingual service, and Nova Southeastern/Harvard clinical training.

Standout Feature: A facial harmony treatment philosophy that customizes every plan to improve the balance of the overall face, not just tooth position, delivered by an award-winning, Nova Southeastern/Harvard-trained DMD with craniofacial biology credentials and same-day appointments.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Orthodontist in South Florida

Verify Board Certification Directly, Not Just “Board-Eligible” Status

American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Board Certification means the doctor passed written exams, oral exams, and presented treated cases to a reviewing board. If a practice says a doctor is “board-eligible,” that doctor hasn’t finished this process yet.

Match Invisalign Provider Tier to Your Case Complexity

Invisalign provider tiers (Preferred, Platinum, Diamond, Diamond Plus) reflect annual case volume. Higher tiers mean more completed cases, which matters most for moderate to complex alignment problems where experience affects how predictable your outcome will be.

Confirm the Practice Location Before Your Free Consultation

South Florida’s multi-location groups can have 6 to 13 offices. Confirm which specific location you’ll be assigned to before your first appointment, because doctors may rotate across offices and availability can vary by location.

Understand the Total Treatment Cost Before Committing

Orthodontic treatment in South Florida typically runs from $3,000 to over $8,000 depending on how complex your case is and which treatment you choose. Request an itemized breakdown at your consultation, confirm what the quoted price includes (retainers, emergency visits, X-rays), and check your insurance’s orthodontic coverage limit before signing any financial agreement.

Ask Whether You Will See the Same Doctor at Every Appointment

At private solo practices, you see the lead doctor at every visit. At multi-doctor group practices, you might be treated by different orthodontists across appointments. Confirm this directly before starting treatment, because continuity of care affects both treatment quality and your overall experience.

Final Thoughts

Start by booking free consultations at two or three practices before you commit. Most South Florida orthodontists offer them at no charge, and comparing treatment plans, timelines, and total costs side by side is the only reliable way to make an informed choice. Verify board certification directly, confirm the Invisalign provider tier if you’re considering aligners, and ask specifically whether you’ll see the same doctor at every appointment. The best orthodontist for you isn’t necessarily the closest or the cheapest. It’s the one whose credentials, treatment philosophy, and practice model line up most closely with your specific case and how you want to be treated.