Harper Orthodontics

My 9 year old is one of those cases that need something done BEFORE he’s in High School. Poor kid has a «narrow mouth» and his adult teeth started coming in had nowhere to go; it was looking pretty bad (yikes) :/​
They were NOT my first choice: One of my good friends referred us to Dr. Tanner and Dr. Reichhold in Walnut Creek. After seeing the high tech kid friendly sign-​in, games and incentives I was impressed! They went on to take 15 different photos and several sets of x-​rays (they didn’t want to refer to the ones that I brought from his dentist). Wow, kind of wasteful (I thought), but as long as it’s a FREE consultation, I let them do their thing. A little later, I was brought «to the room» and met with a «special plan specialist» to discuss the Dr’s recommendations… HOLY CRAP!!! 1 set of braces while his baby teeth continue to fall out, then ANOTHER SET OF BRACES once all of his adult teeth are in!!! TOTALING $ 9,000?! For braces! Um, no.
So I went to the internet and searched 6 different orthodontists in our area. I spoke to them on the phone for 3 – 5 minutes each. I visited with 2 different offices. After our consultation, we thought about it and compared them with the others that we had visited and talked to on the phone. We PICKED DR. HARPER that day :)
He’s not the cheapest, but he’s young (is aware of the newest technologies), great with kids (it’s all about the kids) and he had the double set of braces when he was a kid so he knows the good, bad and ugly. Super kid friendly staff, very responsive to all questions and/​or concerns and it’s super clean and comfortable inside. MOST IMPORTANTLY, he is more realistic on his approach to braces and resolving each individual’s issues. We’ve gone with a top/​bottom expandable retainers to make room for all those adult teeth that are coming in. Get this, Dr. Harper states that my son my NOT EVEN need a set of braces later in life, since we’re making room for them now!
I feel very confident in his abilities and his view on how to work with what you’ve got (at different stages). He definitely LOVES his work and the kids that he helps. Dr. Harper is the OPPOSITE of the ones (Dr. Tanner) that squeeze your insurance for every fractional cent and then attempts to gouge us parents :(
FINAL Note: When my son put his retainers in his pocket and bent down and accidentally snapped one in half :/​… Dr. Harper complimented my son on how well he had been taking care of his retainers (cleaning them and turning the key), then told my son that he wasn’t going to charge us for the repair (an $ 80 charge). This Dr. is pretty down to earth and has made remarkable changes in my sons smile in less than 4 months!!! I am pleased :)