Soledad does not have a Monterey Bay Orthodontics office of its own. The closest one is our Salinas office at 1270 S. Main St., about 27 miles north on US-101, a drive of roughly 33 minutes in normal traffic. This page explains what that trip looks like, what our orthodontists treat, and how a family in Soledad can get through treatment with as few drives up the valley as possible. Your first visit is a free orthodontic consultation, and you do not need a referral from your dentist to book it.
Where is the closest orthodontist office to Soledad?
Our Salinas orthodontic office is the nearest of our four locations. From Front Street, take US-101 north past Gonzales and Chualar, exit at Sanborn Road and follow Blanco Road west to South Main Street. The route stays on the south side of Salinas, so there is no downtown driving. If you already drive to Salinas for work, school activities or shopping, an appointment can often be planned around a trip you were making anyway.
Distances and drive times below are from central Soledad, calculated with OpenStreetMap routing. Real times change with traffic and roadwork on 101, so leave a little cushion before your first visit.
| Office | Drive from central Soledad |
|---|---|
| Salinas 1270 S. Main St., Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 603-3048 |
About 27 miles, roughly 33 minutes via US-101 north |
| Marina 140 10th Street, Suite 10, Marina, CA 93933 (831) 275-9790 |
About 37 miles, roughly 50 minutes |
| Monterey 81 Via Robles, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 250-9617 |
About 45 miles, roughly 57 minutes via US-101 and CA-68 |
| Hollister 889 Sunset Dr., Ste. B, Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 534-3576 |
About 55 miles, a little over an hour |
What does an orthodontist treat?
Your family dentist in Soledad keeps teeth clean and healthy. An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an additional two to three years of specialty training focused on how teeth move and how the jaws grow and fit together. That training matters most when a problem involves the bite and not just the look of the front teeth.
Common problems we see and treat include:
- Crowding, where there is not enough room for the teeth, which makes brushing and flossing harder and raises the risk of decay and gum disease.
- Spacing, or gaps between teeth.
- Overbite and protruding upper front teeth, which can leave the front teeth more exposed to injury in sports and falls.
- Underbite and crossbite, which can cause uneven wear on the teeth and, with a crossbite in a growing child, uneven jaw growth.
- Open bite, where the front teeth do not overlap and biting into food or certain sounds become harder.
Our Orthodontics 101 page describes each of these in more detail if you want to compare what you see in your own child’s smile.
When should a child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At that age some baby teeth are still in place, and an orthodontist can see whether the jaws are growing in balance and whether the permanent teeth will have room. If no treatment is needed yet, the visit sets a baseline so growth can be watched over time.
When early care is needed, Phase One (early) treatment uses a child’s growth to guide the jaw, make room for incoming teeth and correct habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Starting at the right time can simplify treatment later and can reduce the need for extractions. For a family that lives 27 miles from the office, an age-7 visit also means the bigger decisions are not rushed into the busy years of middle and high school.
Which braces and aligner options are there?
Every option below is offered at Monterey Bay Orthodontics. The right one depends on the bite problem, the patient’s age and how much daily responsibility they are ready to take on.
| Option | What it is | Worth knowing for a longer commute |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional metal braces | Stainless steel brackets and wires | Durable and fixed in place, so nothing can be left at home |
| Clear ceramic braces | Tooth-colored brackets | Less noticeable for teens and adults |
| Champagne braces | Metal braces with a champagne-colored finish | A softer look with the strength of metal |
| KLOwen brackets | Custom brackets and wires planned in software and 3D printed for each patient | Designed for accurate tooth movement with fewer office visits |
| Clear aligners, including uLab | Removable clear trays worn 20 to 22 hours a day | Removed to eat and brush; progress can be checked remotely with Dental Monitoring |
See braces for kids, teens and adults and clear aligners for how each option works. Some patients need more than straightening. We also provide airway orthodontics, TMJ/TMD treatment, craniofacial orthodontics and retainers, and for jaw-joint problems we can bring in other specialists when a case calls for it.
How do we cut down trips from Soledad?
Fewer trips to Salinas is a fair goal, and several things we already use help with it:
- Digital scans instead of putty. The iTero scanner takes a 3D model of the teeth in minutes, which keeps records appointments shorter and more comfortable.
- Dental Monitoring. Patients send scans of their teeth through a smartphone app, and our team reviews progress remotely. This reduces the need for frequent office visits.
- Home fixes for small problems. A poking wire or loose bracket is rarely an emergency. The steps on our patient resources page usually keep you comfortable until the repair can be planned into a visit you already have.
Read more about these tools on our technology page.
Who are the orthodontists?
Three orthodontists practice at Monterey Bay Orthodontics. Meet the doctors for full biographies.
- Dr. Garrett Criswell, DDS, MS earned his dental degree at UCSF and completed a three-year orthodontic residency there, serving as Chief Resident and earning a Master’s in Orofacial Sciences.
- Dr. Jady Chiakowsky, DDS, MS trained at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and owned a practice in Eugene, Oregon, before joining the practice. He and Dr. Criswell both see patients in the Salinas office, our closest location to Soledad. His particular expertise is Class II growth modification appliances, early intervention and surgical cases.
- Dr. Aaron Schubel, DDS, MS completed his orthodontic residency at Nova Southeastern University and is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
What does treatment cost, and does insurance help?
Fees depend on how complex the case is. On average they run from $3,000 to $6,900, with an average treatment time of 12 to 24 months. Your exact fee is confirmed before treatment begins. You can get an estimate of monthly payments with our online payment calculator.
We offer in-house, interest-free financing, so the cost can be spread over the course of treatment. The practice is in-network with Delta Dental and accepts most out-of-network insurance plans, and our team helps with claims and paperwork. We accept cash, checks and most major credit cards.
What happens at the first visit?
We review your medical and dental history, and one of our orthodontists examines the teeth, jaws and facial structure. If needed, we take diagnostic records such as X-rays or digital scans. Then we walk through the findings, the treatment options that fit, the expected length of treatment and a full cost breakdown. You leave with a clear plan and time to decide.
Questions Soledad families ask
Can I text the Salinas office instead of calling?
Yes. The Salinas number, (831) 603-3048, takes both calls and texts, which makes it easier to confirm or move an appointment during a work day.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can book directly, including for clear aligners.
Can adults get braces or aligners?
Yes. We treat kids, teens and adults. Clear ceramic braces and clear aligners are options for adults who want treatment to be less noticeable.
Will we need a retainer when treatment ends?
Yes. A retainer holds the teeth in their new positions while the bone and gums settle, and without one teeth can drift back. We offer Hawley retainers, clear aligner-style retainers and fixed retainers bonded behind the front teeth.
What should we do if a bracket breaks?
Cover anything sharp with orthodontic wax, keep the bracket if it comes off, and call or text the Salinas office at (831) 603-3048 to schedule a repair.
Book a consultation from Soledad
If you have been wondering about your child’s bite or your own, start with a consultation in Salinas. Request your free consultation online or call our Salinas office at (831) 603-3048. You can also learn more about braces in Salinas and clear aligners in Salinas before you come in.