Takoma Park residents do not have to go far for orthodontic care. Elite Orthodontics sees patients from Old Takoma, Long Branch, and the streets off Piney Branch Road at our Washington office on 13th Street NW, a few minutes across the District line. Great smiles start here, whether you need braces for a fourth grader or aligners for yourself.
Your Trusted Orthodontist Serving Takoma Park and the District Line
Few orthodontic practices are as convenient to Takoma Park as our 13th Street NW location, which sits between Georgia Avenue and 16th Street in Northwest DC. Patients walk in from Takoma, Shepherd Park, Brightwood, and Colesville, and plenty arrive on the Red Line rather than driving. We keep Monday hours until 6:00 for families who cannot leave work early.
Why Takoma Park Families Choose Elite Orthodontics
An elite smile deserves an Elite experience. That is our standard: no shortcuts, no cutting corners, no rushed appointments. Takoma Park patients tell us these matter most:
- One orthodontist, Dr. Emike Aliu, from first exam through retention
- Digital iTero scans instead of impression trays, and low-radiation 3D imaging
- Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association
- Realistic scheduling for households without a second car
- A written cost breakdown before treatment starts
Orthodontic Treatments We Offer
We keep the whole toolkit available and recommend the option your bite actually needs.
Braces
Fixed braces do the heavy lifting on rotations, deep bites, and cases that need precise root control. Ceramic brackets keep the look subtle for adults. Our types of braces page compares the options honestly, including where each one falls short.
Invisalign & Invisalign Teen
Clear aligners appeal to Takoma Park adults who spend the day in meetings or classrooms. The trays come out to eat and go back in immediately after. See what Invisalign is and how the sequence of trays actually moves teeth.
Early (Phase 1) Treatment for Kids
An early exam does not mean early braces. Around age 7 we look for crossbites, severe crowding, and habits that are changing how the jaw grows. Most children we screen simply come back in a year. Read the signs a child needs braces to know what to look for.
Retainers & Post-Treatment Care
Retainers are the maintenance plan for the work you paid for. We fit them at the end of treatment, explain the wear schedule in specifics, and replace them without drama when one disappears.
Orthodontic Care for Every Age: Children, Teens, and Adults
Different ages need different tools, and the timing matters more than most people expect.
- Kids: Phase 1 treatment and braces for kids while the jaws are still growing
- Teens: teen braces or aligners that fit around soccer and finals
- Adults: Invisalign for adults and ceramic braces, often finishing in under a year
Parents frequently start their own treatment at the same appointment where a child begins. It is efficient, and it makes the retainer reminders easier to enforce.
What to Expect at Your Free Consultation
The first visit is complimentary and designed to leave you better informed even if you never come back.
- Welcome and short forms. Finish them online to save time in the chair.
- Exam, photos, and digital scan. A complete record of where your teeth are today.
- Diagnosis walkthrough. Dr. Aliu points out what she sees and why it matters.
- Treatment choices and costs. Length, monthly payment, insurance contribution.
- Start now or later. Same-day starts are possible, never expected.
You will leave knowing what the problem is, what fixing it costs, and what happens if you wait.
Insurance, Financing & Affordability
Most major dental plans include an orthodontic benefit, and our team verifies yours and handles the claims. We offer flexible in-house payment plans with low monthly options, and we accept HSA and FSA funds. The written estimate you get at the consultation is the number you pay. If you are weighing treatment against other family expenses, we can show you what a longer payment term looks like before you decide.
Serving Takoma Park and Surrounding Communities
Patients reach our Washington office easily from Takoma Park and its neighbors, including:
- Takoma Park (ZIP 20912)
- Old Takoma
- Long Branch
- Silver Spring
- Shepherd Park
- Brightwood
- Hyattsville
New Hampshire Avenue, Piney Branch Road, and Eastern Avenue all lead our way, and the Takoma Metro station is a short hop down the Red Line.
Patient Reviews & Smile Gallery
Takoma Park families tell us they wanted a practice that treats them like neighbors rather than case numbers. Read our patient reviews to see whether that matches what you are looking for, and browse what sets us apart.
Meet Your Takoma Park Orthodontist
Dr. Emike Aliu founded Elite Orthodontics with a clear mission: give every patient an elite smile through an Elite experience. She is an active member of the AAO and the ADA and stays involved in the communities on both sides of the District line. Learn more about Dr. Aliu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get to your office by Metro from Takoma Park?
Yes. Our Washington office on 13th Street NW is a short ride from the Takoma Metro station on the Red Line, with Metrobus service along 13th Street and Georgia Avenue.
Do you treat children who have not lost all their baby teeth?
Often, yes. Some of the most valuable orthodontic work happens in the mixed dentition, when we can guide erupting teeth into place instead of moving them later.
How much time do aligners really need each day?
Twenty to twenty-two hours. Below that, teeth do not track with the plan and treatment stretches out. We would rather tell you that before you buy than after.
Will braces affect playing a wind instrument?
There is an adjustment period of a week or two for brass and woodwind players. Wax on the brackets helps, and most students adapt fully. Tell us at the consultation so we can plan around performances.
What if I have gum disease or missing teeth?
We coordinate with your general dentist or periodontist first. Moving teeth through unhealthy bone is a bad idea, but once things are stable, orthodontics is often exactly what a restorative plan needs.
Schedule Your Free Consultation in Takoma Park, MD
A free consultation takes about an hour and gives you a real answer instead of a guess. Elite Orthodontics is minutes from Takoma Park by car, bus, or Metro. Book online or call the office and we will find a time that works.
Schedule Your Free Consultation or call our team for immediate scheduling.