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Best Braces Dentists in Durham, NC (2026)

69 clinics offering braces, rankedUpdated 14 orthodontists0 paid placementsHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for braces: Crafting Smiles, ranked #1 of 69 by service score; an orthodontist on staff, 5.0★ from 439 Google reviews.

  2. 2

    Best specialist (orthodontist): North Durham Orthodontics: Dr. Gina Lee, an orthodontist on staff, 4.9★ from 59 Google reviews, 2 of 20 collected reviews mention braces.

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69 Durham clinics list braces and are ranked here by service score. 14 list an orthodontist and 4 open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 13 of them.

Top 10 braces dentists in Durham at a glance

Top 10 braces dentists in Durham at a glance
RankClinicService scoreSpecialist on staffRating (reviews)Reviews mentioning braces
1Crafting Smiles80Yes (orthodontist)5.0★ (439)—
2North Durham Orthodontics: Dr. Gina Lee79Yes (orthodontist)4.9★ (59)2
3Jones Orthodontics75Yes (orthodontist)4.9★ (115)6
4Smith & Heymann Orthodontics74Yes (orthodontist)4.9★ (296)1
5Hoopes Orthodontics74Yes (orthodontist)4.9★ (110)3
6Wilson Orthodontics - Durham74Yes (orthodontist)5.0★ (352)1
7King Orthodontics73Yes (orthodontist)4.3★ (30)6
8Local Start Dental73———
9Smile Design73———
10Trophy Smiles of Durham73———

The 69 best braces dentists in Durham, ranked

Ordered by service score: the DR Score plus bonuses for a specialist on staff, reviews that mention the service and same-day care where it applies.

  9. #9 Smile Design

    73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #9 for braces in Durham on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    Book appointment at Smile DesignFull profile
    In their words

    Welcome to Smile Design - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, where total patient comfort is our highest priority. Dr. Erfan Imeni and our team cater to our patients’ needs by offering a wide range of dentistry and state-of-the-art dental technology in a friendly and modern environment. When you visit our office, we will greet you with a smile and a complimentary beverage and invite you to enjoy our comfortable amenities, including Netflix and massage chairs.

    From Smile Design's own description. Not part of the ranking.

  19. #19 Lane & Associates Family Dentistry

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #19 for braces in Durham on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    Book appointment at Lane & Associates Family DentistryFull profile
    In their words

    Welcome to Lane & Associates, where we love to make you smile! Lane & Associates Family Dentistry was founded 40 years ago and is a North Carolina born and bred company. Our founder, Dr. Don Lane, started the company in Fuquay-Varina, NC in 1980 and the company has since grown to over 40 locations and 60 doctors throughout NC! Our services include General and Family Dentistry with specialties such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign®, Sleep Apnea…

    From Lane & Associates Family Dentistry's own description. Not part of the ranking.

  20. #20 Lane & Associates Family Dentistry - Durham Miami Blvd

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #20 for braces in Durham on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    Book appointment at Lane & Associates Family Dentistry - Durham Miami BlvdFull profile
    In their words

    Welcome to Lane & Associates, where we love to make you smile! Lane & Associates Family Dentistry was founded 40 years ago and is a North Carolina born and bred company. Our founder, Dr. Don Lane, started the company in Fuquay-Varina, NC in 1980 and the company has since grown to nearly 30 locations and 60 doctors throughout NC! Our services include General and Family Dentistry with specialties such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Invisalign®, Sleep Apnea…

    From Lane & Associates Family Dentistry - Durham Miami Blvd's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 69 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #69, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

RankClinicDR ScoreEvenings / weekends
26Research Triangle Dental - Durham Dentist57Evenings · Sat
27Night & Day Dental53Evenings · Sat
28Dr. Kwame Gyampo47Sat
29Durham Dental Group47Sat
30Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry: Erika Graham, DDS47Evenings
31Durham General Dentist43Evenings
32Park Place Dental of Durham37
33Bull City Smiles37
34Friendly Dental Group of Durham37
35O2 Dental Group of Durham37
36Willowdaile Family Dentistry37
37Carolina Smiles37
38Campus Smiles Dental at Duke37
39Access Family Dental Care37
40Dr. Adam Spriggs37
41H&L Dentistry; Drs. Hernández & Lasanta37
42DurhamDDS, Office of Dr. Bill Argersinger37
43Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry37
44Stead Willis DMD37
45Johanna Lerzundy, DDS, PA37
46Carolina Cosmetic Dental Care | Durham37
47Dr. Nicole Messenger - Messenger Family Dentistry37
48Robinson Family Dentistry37
49Dr. Alicia Ramos, DDS - Durham Dentist37
50Southpoint Family Dentistry37
51Durham Dentistry37
52Durham Family Smiles - Dr. Alisha F Humble DMD37
53McDuffie Dentistry37
54Ninth Street Dental37
55Thomas S. Clifton, DDS37
56Bull City Dental37
57LP Dental Group37
58Next Step Dental of Durham37
59Triangle Park Dental37
60Better Dentistry37
61Sunrise Dental33
62Lincoln Community Dental Department33
63Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry33
64Donner, Scott M DDS33
65Royal Oak Dental Group - Durham33
66Carolina dental arts - Durham33
67Smiles by JB33
68Beyond Dental33
69Duke Craniofacial Orthodontics Clinic17

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Durham, NC

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What are braces?

Braces straighten teeth and correct bite problems using brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire that applies steady pressure. Options include metal, ceramic (tooth-coloured) and lingual braces placed behind the teeth. Treatment usually lasts 18–36 months.

Braces: specialist or general dentist?

Orthodontists provide most braces treatment and have 2–3 extra years of training in tooth and jaw alignment. Some general dentists offer braces for simpler cases. Complex bites and jaw growth problems are usually best handled by an orthodontist.

14 of Durham's 69 clinics offering braces have an orthodontist on staff. See orthodontists in Durham

How much do braces cost in Durham?

Typical ranges in USD for Durham, NC. Your price depends on the tooth, the case and the clinic.

How much do braces cost in Durham?
TypeTypical range (USD)BasisAs of
Metal braces$3,050–$7,150DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for North Carolina—
Ceramic braces$4,100–$8,150DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for North Carolina—
Self-ligating braces$3,550–$8,150DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for North Carolina—
Lingual braces$8,150–$12,200DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for North Carolina—

Estimates, not quotes. Ask the clinic for a written estimate. Full braces cost guide for Durham

What to expect from braces

Typical ranges for most patients. Your dentist's plan may differ.

Braces: visits, chair time and recovery
FactTypically
Typical visitsA consultation, a fitting visit, then adjustments every 4–8 weeks
Chair timeAbout 1–2 hours to fit; adjustments take 15–30 minutes
RecoverySoreness for a few days after fitting and after adjustments
When to see a specialistMost braces cases, and always for jaw growth issues, severe crowding or bite problems

How we ranked Durham braces dentists

We scored 69 Durham clinics offering braces on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. Data from Google listings and clinic websites, refreshed October 21, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Featured clinics are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

DR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Durham data
Reputation45%Bayesian-adjusted Google star ratingMeasured
Review volume15%log10(review count) against the city maximumMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews in the last 12 monthsMeasured
Access15%Evenings, Saturday, Sunday, same-day/emergency, accepting new patientsMeasured
Services10%Services offered out of 17Measured
Profile completeness5%Named dentists, years open, languages, insurance, photosMeasured

Braces in Durham: frequently asked questions

Who is the best braces dentist in Durham?

Crafting Smiles ranks #1 of 69 Durham clinics offering braces by DentistsRanked service score. It has an orthodontist on staff and 5.0★ from 439 Google reviews. North Durham Orthodontics: Dr. Gina Lee ranks #2 (an orthodontist on staff). The score weighs reputation, access, services and profile data, plus a bonus for an orthodontist on staff.

How much do braces cost in Durham, NC?

Braces in Durham typically costs $3,060–$7,140 USD. By type: metal braces $3,050–$7,150; ceramic braces $4,100–$8,150; self-ligating braces $3,550–$8,150. These are estimates, not quotes. Basis: DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for North Carolina. Ask the clinic for a written estimate.

Do general dentists in Durham do braces?

Yes. 55 of the 69 Durham clinics offering braces do not list an orthodontist, so general dentists there typically provide it. 14 list an orthodontist on staff. Typical reasons to see an orthodontist: most braces cases, and always for jaw growth issues, severe crowding or bite problems.

Are braces covered by insurance or Medicaid in North Carolina?

Dental plans with orthodontic benefits often cover part of braces for children, commonly up to a lifetime maximum. Adult coverage is less common. Medicaid covers braces for children only when medically necessary. Check your plan.

Do braces hurt?

Getting braces fitted is usually not painful. Most patients feel soreness for a few days afterward and after each adjustment, which over-the-counter pain relief often manages. Brackets can rub the cheeks at first, and orthodontic wax helps.

Which Durham braces dentists are open on Saturday?

4 of 69 Durham clinics offering braces list Saturday hours, including Research Triangle Dental - Durham Dentist, Night & Day Dental and Dr. Kwame Gyampo. Hours come from each clinic's listing; check with the clinic before you go, since holiday and summer hours can change.

How many dentists offer braces in Durham?

69 Durham clinics list braces in our data. 14 of them list an orthodontist on staff. They include Crafting Smiles and North Durham Orthodontics: Dr. Gina Lee. 4 are open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 13 of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for Durham

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 172 clinics.

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