braces and clear aligners for the whole family
Orthodontist in Richmond, VA
Our orthodontists, Dr. Kevin Bibona and Dr. Payton Cook, treat kids, teens and adults at four offices across the Richmond area: Short Pump, Patterson Avenue, Mechanicsville and Midlothian.
Your first consultation is free, and you don't need a referral.
If your child already sees one of our pediatric dentists, their orthodontist is part of the same practice. Same records, same team, no starting over.
the short version
Choosing an Orthodontist in Richmond Comes Down to Three Questions
Who is doing the work, what will it cost, and how easy is it to get to appointments for the next year or two. Here are our answers.
Who will treat me?
Dr. Kevin Bibona and Dr. Payton Cook, both residency-trained orthodontists. Bite correction, jaw growth and tooth movement are all they do.
Meet the orthodontistsWhat will it cost?
Braces typically run $3,000 to $7,000 in the Richmond area. We check your insurance first, offer payment plans and give you a written estimate at your free consultation.
See cost and insuranceHow easy is the drive?
Four offices: Short Pump, Patterson Avenue, Mechanicsville and Midlothian. Pick the one closest to home, school or work.
Find your officeIn short: we treat kids (first check around age 7), teens and adults with metal and ceramic braces, Invisalign, Spark aligners, early treatment and palatal expanders. The first consultation is free and needs no referral. We accept most dental plans and Virginia Medicaid for patients under 21 who qualify.
why families stay
Why Richmond Families Choose RPDO for Orthodontics
Four orthodontic offices
Most orthodontic practices in the Richmond area run one or two offices. We have orthodontists in Short Pump, Mechanicsville, Midlothian and on Patterson Avenue. Whether you live in Henrico, Chesterfield or Hanover County, one of them is close to home, school or work. Treatment means regular visits, and a shorter drive makes every one easier.
Specialty-trained orthodontists, not a general dentist add-on
Some dental offices offer aligners as a side service. Our orthodontists completed years of dedicated orthodontic residency training after dental school.
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof
RPDO is a bi-specialty practice. Your child's pediatric dentist and orthodontist share records and time treatment around how your child is growing. No referral letters between offices, no care gaps and no repeating your child's history to a stranger.
Privately owned
RPDO is not a corporate chain. Treatment recommendations come from your orthodontist, not a production target. We're also a proud sponsor of Connor's Heroes, a Richmond nonprofit supporting local families fighting childhood cancer.
Straight answers on cost
We publish real prices for the Richmond area, including our guides to braces cost and Invisalign cost. Most practices make you sit through a consultation before they'll say a number. We'd rather you walk in informed.
the two people you'll see
Meet Your Richmond Orthodontists
Dr. Kevin Bibona, DDS
Orthodontist
Dr. Bibona earned his dental degree and his orthodontic certificate at VCU School of Dentistry, here in Richmond.
He's a past president of the Richmond Dental Society. Richmond Magazine and Virginia Living both named him a Top Dentist in orthodontics in 2025 and 2026.
Families know him for explaining every step, and for celebrating hard on the day the braces come off.
Meet Dr. Bibona
Dr. Payton Cook, DDS
Orthodontist
Dr. Cook grew up in Short Pump: Shady Grove Elementary, Short Pump Middle and Deep Run High. She played Division 1 soccer at the University of South Florida.
She earned her DDS at VCU School of Dentistry and her orthodontic certificate at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Now she straightens teeth in the neighborhoods she grew up in.
Meet Dr. CookWhen you book, we match you with the office and schedule that fit your family.
the training matters
Why See an Orthodontist Instead of a General Dentist?
Orthodontists complete two to three additional years of full-time residency after dental school, focused entirely on tooth movement, jaw development and bite correction.
Many general dentists offer clear aligners for straightforward cases, and for simple crowding that can work fine. The difference shows up when treatment isn't routine: skeletal discrepancies, impacted teeth, bites that look minor but move wrong. An orthodontist has seen thousands of cases like yours and knows which ones need more than aligners.
If your case turns out to be simple, you lose nothing by having a specialist confirm it. If it isn't, you'll be glad you started in the right chair.
General dentist
4 years of dental school
Orthodontist
4 years of dental school, plus 2 to 3 years of full-time orthodontic residency in tooth movement, jaw growth and bite correction
Every RPDO orthodontic case is treated by a residency-trained orthodontic specialist.
what we offer
Orthodontic Treatments We Offer in Richmond
Most comprehensive treatment lasts 12 to 30 months, though simple cases can finish sooner. Here's what we offer and who each option fits.
Braces for Kids, Teens and Adults
Traditional metal braces are still the workhorse of orthodontics. They handle everything from mild crowding to complex bite problems, and they don't depend on a teenager remembering to wear anything. Ceramic braces are a lower-visibility option with the same mechanics.
Braces in Richmond, VA
Invisalign and Spark Clear Aligners
We offer both Invisalign and Spark, so your orthodontist can recommend the system that fits your case instead of the only one on the shelf. Aligners work well for many teens and adults who want treatment that doesn't show up in photos. They demand consistency: 20 to 22 hours of wear a day.
Invisalign in Richmond, VA
Early (Phase 1) Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Most kids that age don't need treatment yet. For the ones who do, Phase 1 treatment guides jaw growth while it's still easy to influence, which can prevent bigger problems and harder fixes later.
Early treatment for kids
Bite Correction
Crooked teeth are what people notice. Bite problems are what orthodontists treat. Our team corrects the full range: crossbites, open bites, overjet, overbites, underbites and crowded or crooked teeth.
See the bite problems we treat
Airway-Focused Orthodontics
Mouth breathing, snoring and restless sleep in kids sometimes trace back to jaw structure. Our orthodontists evaluate airway concerns alongside bite and jaw development, and coordinate with pediatricians and ENTs when the picture calls for it.
Airway orthodontics
Teen Orthodontics
Teens are the biggest share of orthodontic patients, and we built our approach around them, from aligner options to schedules that work around school and sports.
Braces and aligners for teens
Adult Orthodontics
If you're a parent who has been quietly wondering about your own smile while sitting in our waiting room: yes, we treat adults too. Treatment looks different at 25, 45 or 65, and healthy teeth move at any age.
Adult orthodontics Do I need braces?
Retainers and Dental Monitoring
Treatment doesn't end when the braces come off. Every RPDO patient finishes with a retainer plan, because teeth drift back without one. Between visits, our team reviews progress scans so small issues get caught before they slow treatment down.
Dental MonitoringBite problems we correct
Crooked teeth are what people notice. The bite is what an orthodontist fixes.
More ways we help
Expanders for narrow upper jaws, an airway check alongside the bite, and remote check-ins between visits. Every patient finishes with a retainer plan.
free, no referral
Not Sure Which Treatment Fits? Ask an Orthodontist.
not sure where to start?
Answer 3 Quick Questions
This isn't a diagnosis, just a pointer toward the option worth reading about first. Your free consultation gives you the real answer.
Question 1 of 3
Who is treatment for?
What's the main concern?
Which sounds more like you?
your first visit
What Your Free Consultation Includes
Plenty of Richmond orthodontists advertise a free consultation. Here's what ours actually covers:
- A full look at the teeth, gums, jaw and bite by one of our orthodontists
- X-rays, if your case calls for them
- Every option that fits, including the option to wait
- A written estimate of cost and timeline before you leave
No referral needed and no pressure to decide that day. What to expect
Not ready to come in? Start with a virtual smile assessment from home.
If you decide to move forward: from yes to a finished smile
Records
Photos, scans and any remaining X-rays give your orthodontist a complete picture.
Treatment plan
Your orthodontist maps out the appliances, the sequence and the timeline for your case.
Insurance verification
Our team confirms your orthodontic benefits and finalizes your payment plan before anything starts.
Appliances placed
Braces go on, or your first aligner trays arrive.
Regular visits
Adjustment and progress checks keep treatment moving at any of our four offices.
Retainers
Treatment ends with a retainer plan that protects the result.
straight answers on cost
What Braces and Invisalign Cost in Richmond
$3,000 to $7,000
That's the typical range for braces in the Richmond area. Clear aligners land in a similar range.
Your number depends on your bite, your growth and the treatment you choose. Every consultation ends with a written estimate.
See our full guides to braces cost in Richmond and Invisalign cost in Richmond.
Insurance
We accept most dental insurance plans and check your orthodontic benefits before treatment starts. Insurance information
Payment plans
Monthly plans spread the cost across treatment. Flexible financing
Virginia Medicaid
We accept Virginia Medicaid for orthodontic treatment, including DentaQuest and Doral plans. Medicaid covers braces for patients under 21 only when the case meets the state's medical necessity criteria, decided case by case.
one close to home
Four Orthodontic Offices Across the Richmond Area
Short Pump, Mechanicsville and Midlothian have pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the same building. Patterson Avenue is orthodontics only.
Short Pump
Minutes from Short Pump Town Center, serving Glen Allen, Wyndham, Innsbrook and western Henrico families
Dr. Bibona and Dr. Cook
12270 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23233
- Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Patterson Ave
Our dedicated orthodontics office, serving Tuckahoe, Westhampton, Bon Air and the Near West End
Dr. Bibona
8503 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, VA 23229
- Mon to Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mechanicsville
Just off I-295, serving Mechanicsville, Atlee and Hanover County families
Dr. Cook
7521 Right Flank Rd., Suite 110
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
- Mon to Thu 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fri 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Midlothian
Near the Midlothian YMCA, serving Midlothian, Woodlake, Brandermill and Chesterfield County families
Dr. Bibona and Dr. Cook
13901 Coalfield Commons Pl., Suite 101
Midlothian, VA 23114
- Orthodontics Tue and Thu 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All four offices book through one place.
pick your office
Four Offices. One Free Consultation.
in their words
What Richmond Families Say About Our Orthodontists
stars from more than 1,700 Google reviews across our five offices
"Dr. Bibona and staff have been AMAZING!"
My daughter recently got braces and Dr. Bibona and staff have been AMAZING! My daughter is so relaxed when she goes for her adjustments and I could not recommend them enough!
Christy · parent
"We will be bringing the rest of the family here."
We are so pleased with my son, Beckett's, smile! Thank you for great care, wonderful customer service and efficient appointments! We will be bringing the rest of the family here when they need braces, too!
Talona · parent
"Our experience has been phenomenal!"
Our experience has been phenomenal! The front desk ladies are so friendly & welcoming, and all of the orthodontists have been warm & kind.
Christina
"We felt welcomed and comfortable."
From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and comfortable. The entire team was incredibly nice, caring, and professional.
Sheri
voted by other dentists
Dr. Bibona Is a Peer-Voted Top Dentist in Orthodontics
Richmond Magazine and Virginia Living build their Top Dentists lists from surveys of local dentists, so these honors are votes from his peers. See the lists for yourself: Richmond Magazine Top Dentists 2026 and Super Star Dentists 2026.
- Richmond MagazineTop Dentist2025 and 2026Dr. Bibona
- Richmond MagazineSuper Star Dentist2025 and 2026Dr. Bibona
- Virginia LivingTop Dentist2025 and 2026Dr. Bibona
meet us first
Watch Before Your First Visit
Welcome to orthodontics at RPDO
A quick hello from our orthodontic team, so you know who you'll see when you walk in.
Your orthodontic questions, answered
Three minutes on what treatment looks like, from the first appointment to the day it ends.
questions parents ask
Questions About Orthodontists in Richmond, VA
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. By then a child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth, so our orthodontists can spot bite and jaw problems early. Most kids won't need treatment at that age, and the check is free.
Is the orthodontic consultation free?
Yes. Your first orthodontic visit at any of our four offices includes a full evaluation, treatment options and a written estimate at no charge. If treatment isn't needed yet, we'll tell you and keep an eye on growth until the timing is right.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. Parents, teens and adults can book directly with our orthodontists by calling (804) 740-7281 or requesting a consultation online. Many families come on their dentist's recommendation, but a referral isn't required.
How much do braces cost in Richmond, VA?
Braces typically cost $3,000 to $7,000 in the Richmond area, depending on the case and how long treatment takes. We check your insurance benefits before treatment starts and offer monthly payment plans. Our braces cost guide breaks down what drives the price.
Does Virginia Medicaid cover braces?
Sometimes. Virginia Medicaid covers orthodontic treatment for patients under 21 only when the case meets the state's medical necessity criteria, and approval is decided case by case. We accept Virginia Medicaid plans, including DentaQuest and Doral, and our team can help you understand your options.
Should I choose braces or Invisalign?
It depends on your bite, your habits and what you prefer. Braces work around the clock with nothing to remember, which suits complex cases and younger kids. Aligners are nearly invisible and removable, but they only work if worn 20 to 22 hours a day. At your free consultation, your orthodontist will tell you honestly which fits.
Do you treat adults?
Yes. Our orthodontists treat adults with metal braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign and Spark aligners. Healthy teeth can move at any age, and many of our adult patients are parents of kids we already see. See our adult orthodontics page.
Which RPDO offices offer orthodontics?
Four: Short Pump (12270 West Broad St.), Patterson Avenue (8503 Patterson Ave.), Mechanicsville (7521 Right Flank Rd.) and Midlothian (13901 Coalfield Commons Pl.). Our West End office on Gaskins Road is pediatric dentistry only.
Can my child see the orthodontist at the same office as their dentist?
At Short Pump, Mechanicsville and Midlothian, yes. Those offices have pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the same building, and both teams share your child's records, so nothing gets lost between offices.
What foods should be avoided with braces?
Hard, sticky and chewy foods are the main troublemakers: whole nuts, popcorn, caramel, taffy and ice chewing top the list, since they can break brackets and bend wires. Most everything else is fine, cut into manageable pieces. Our guide to braces-friendly candy and snacks covers the details.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Most treatment takes 12 to 30 months. Simple cases can finish faster and complex bite corrections can take longer. Your orthodontist will give you a realistic timeline at your consultation.
How often are orthodontic appointments?
Most braces patients come in every 4 to 8 weeks. Aligner patients often go longer between visits, especially with Dental Monitoring check-ins from home. With four offices, visits are easier to fit around school and work.
free, no referral, no pressure
Ready to Meet Your Orthodontist?
Book a free consultation in Short Pump, on Patterson Avenue, in Mechanicsville or in Midlothian.
You'll leave with a clear plan, a written estimate and an honest answer on whether treatment can wait.
