What Orthodontic Associates does

Orthodontic Associates, operating under the consumer-facing brand Smile Creators, is a privately-held orthodontic group practice founded in 1970 and headquartered in Lima, Ohio. It employs 51-100 staff across four offices in Northwest Ohio (Lima, Ottawa, Celina, and Findlay) and delivers orthodontic care through four board-certified orthodontists. The practice is organized as a multi-site, dentist-owned professional services business rather than a venture-backed platform.

The practice's clinical offering spans the full orthodontic treatment menu: traditional fixed braces (metal, ceramic, gold, lingual, and self-ligating variants), Invisalign clear aligners including Invisalign First for children aged 6-10, two-phase pediatric interceptive treatment, retainers, and surgical orthodontics for complex craniofacial cases. It is a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider, the highest tier awarded by Align Technology, indicating sustained high case volume. Underlying clinical technology includes 3D imaging, intraoral scanning, CAD-based treatment simulation, in-house 3D printing of appliances, and remote photo-based progress monitoring via mobile applications.

Orthodontic Associates operates a direct-to-consumer, fee-for-service business model in which individual patients or insured families pay $3,000-$8,000 per treatment course typically lasting 12-24 months, structured across monthly payment plans with insurance coordination. Patient acquisition is driven by community presence in Northwest Ohio, word-of-mouth referrals, social media (Facebook, Instagram), educational content marketing, and a free-complimentary-consultation funnel. There is no disclosed institutional ownership, no external funding, no API/developer surface, and no M&A history; the business is fully physician-owned and operationally mature.

Name

Orthodontic Associates

Legal name

Orthodontic Associates

Website

https://smilecreators.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Orthodontic Associates is a privately-held, multi-site orthodontic group practice in Northwest Ohio operating four offices with four board-certified orthodontists, delivering braces, Invisalign, and pediatric interceptive treatment directly to consumer patients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthodontic Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (6212)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthodontic Group Practices (HLABAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Orthodontic Clinics (HLABABAA), Clear Aligner Orthodontics (HLABABAD), Adult Orthodontics (HLABABAC), Pediatric Orthodontics (HLABABAB), Interceptive/Phase I Pediatric Orthodontics (HLABAGAG)

Keywords

• Orthodontic services
• Braces treatment
• Invisalign aligners
• Clear aligner therapy
• Orthodontic care

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Orthodontic Treatment Services: Primary revenue from orthodontic treatment services including braces (metal, ceramic, gold) and clear aligners (Invisalign). Treatment typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 or more depending on complexity. They offer flexible payment plans with low monthly payments and work with insurance providers to coordinate benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Orthodontic Associates is a multi-location orthodontic practice that diagnoses and treats malocclusion and dental alignment issues for children, teens, and adults. The practice sells and delivers orthodontic treatment services including traditional fixed braces (metal, ceramic/clear, gold, lingual, and self-ligating variants), Invisalign clear aligner therapy (including Invisalign First for children ages 6-10), custom retainers for post-treatment maintenance, and two-phase early interceptive treatment programs.

Product overview

Orthodontic Associates offers a comprehensive suite of orthodontic treatments delivered through four board-certified orthodontists across four Ohio locations. The core treatment portfolio centers on two primary solution types: traditional fixed braces (available in metal, ceramic/clear, gold, and lingual variants, including self-ligating options) and removable clear aligner therapy via the Invisalign system (including Invisalign First for young children). Supporting offerings include retainers for post-treatment maintenance and a structured two-phase treatment approach for children combining early interceptive care with subsequent comprehensive alignment. Services are segmented by patient age group (children ages 7-10, teenagers, and adults) and address conditions including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smile Creators: Website and branding name for Orthodontic Associates orthodontic practice

Products and services

• Traditional Metal Braces Classic fixed orthodontic treatment using metal brackets bonded to teeth and connected by archwires, tightened periodically to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment; known for durability and effectiveness in treating complex cases, typically $3,000–$7,000 over 12–24 months.
• Ceramic (Clear) Braces Tooth-colored or clear bracket braces that blend with natural teeth for a more discreet appearance than metal braces while maintaining similar treatment effectiveness.
• Gold Braces Braces with gold-colored brackets offering a stylish, unique aesthetic alternative to traditional metal or ceramic options.
• Lingual Braces Braces attached to the back (lingual) surfaces of teeth, making them virtually invisible from the front view for patients seeking a hidden treatment option.
• Self-Ligating Braces Braces using a specialized clip system instead of elastic ties to hold the archwire, reducing friction and enabling more efficient tooth movement with potentially fewer in-office adjustments.
• Invisalign Clear Aligners Series of custom-made, removable clear plastic aligners that gradually shift teeth into alignment; virtually invisible, comfortable, and removable for eating and cleaning, with treatment typically completing in 12–18 months at $3,000–$8,000.
• Invisalign First Clear aligner system designed specifically for younger children ages 6-10 with mixed dentition, used for early interceptive treatment as part of a two-phase orthodontic plan.
• Retainers Custom-fitted devices worn to maintain teeth alignment after active orthodontic treatment; available as fixed (bonded) or removable (clear plastic or Hawley) options.
• Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment Early interceptive orthodontic treatment for children ages 7-10 combining Phase One (jaw growth guidance using expanders or partial braces) followed by a rest period and Phase Two (comprehensive treatment with full braces or aligners).
• Phase One Early Interceptive Treatment Early orthodontic intervention for children focusing on jaw growth and development, addressing bite issues such as crossbites or underbites, creating space for crowded teeth, and guiding proper jaw alignment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Treatment typically completes in 12-24 months for most patients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• US Orthodontic Partners: Orthodontic-focused DSO that partners with established orthodontic practices across multiple US states. Comparable because it acquires and supports multi-doctor orthodontic groups under a shared platform, mirroring Orthodontic Associates' multi-location, board-certified orthodontist model.
• Smile Doctors: One of the largest orthodontic group practice/DSO networks in the United States, operating hundreds of affiliated orthodontic clinics across multiple states. Directly comparable to Orthodontic Associates as a multi-location, multi-doctor orthodontic practice offering braces and Invisalign, scaled regionally via affiliated practice partnerships.
• Orthodontic Partners: An orthodontic-specific partnership platform that affiliates independent orthodontic practices. Comparable to Orthodontic Associates because both operate as multi-doctor orthodontic groups offering braces and clear aligners through affiliated or employed orthodontist models.

Emerging players

• Candid Co. Direct-to-consumer clear aligner company that pairs remote aligner therapy with a network of affiliated orthodontists for in-office visits. Comparable to Orthodontic Associates in that it targets the same orthodontic patient population, especially adults, but competes through a remote-first model rather than traditional brick-and-mortar practices.
• SmileDirectClub: Direct-to-consumer clear aligner brand that historically bypassed orthodontist offices by selling aligners directly to consumers. Although the company has undergone significant operational restructuring, it remains an adjacent competitor to Orthodontic Associates' Invisalign offering for price-sensitive adult orthodontic patients.

Broad incumbents

• Heartland Dental: One of the largest dental support organizations in the US, supporting hundreds of general and specialty dental offices. A broad incumbent in the same dental care delivery space as Orthodontic Associates, though it primarily focuses on general dentistry with orthodontic services as a sub-line.
• Aspen Dental: Large national dental support organization with hundreds of branded locations across the US, offering general dentistry and some orthodontic services. A broad incumbent in dental healthcare delivery; comparable to Orthodontic Associates as a multi-location dental brand but not a specialist orthodontic operator.
• Great Expressions Dental Centers: Multi-location dental practice network offering general, specialty, and orthodontic care across the eastern and midwestern United States. Comparable to Orthodontic Associates as a regional-to-multi-state dental brand, though its scope is broader than pure orthodontic services.
• Pacific Dental Services: Dental support organization supporting hundreds of dental offices including specialty services. A broad incumbent in dental healthcare delivery with orthodontic services included, comparable as a multi-location dental operator but not an orthodontic pure-play.

Others

• Align Technology (Invisalign): Manufacturer of the Invisalign clear aligner system and iTero scanners used in orthodontic workflows. Orthodontic Associates is a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider, so Align is a key supplier/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor — but its product economics, pricing tiers, and provider program rules directly shape Orthodontic Associates' aligner business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OrthodonticAssociates
• Instagraminstagram.com/ortho_assoc
• Xx.com/smilecreators

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orthodontic Associates