Setting The Standard In Excellent Orthodontic Care

Helping Impacted Teeth Find Their Way

EVERY SMILE IS UNIQUE, right down to when the teeth that make them up come in. Some of us get our adult teeth on schedule, some early, some late, and some are left to wonder if a tooth or two might have gotten lost somewhere under their gums. When that happens, we...

Which Type Of Retainer Is Best For You?

ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM hard to believe during the process, one day those braces will come off! Orthodontic treatment doesn’t end after braces, however. To maintain that beautiful, new smile you must wear a retainer as directed after the braces are removed. Remember that...

Baby Teeth And Braces: Why Early Treatment May Be Best

WHILE MANY THINK BRACES are for correcting misaligned adult teeth, you may be surprised to learn that orthodontics can help correct your child’s bite before their adult teeth even come in! Baby Teeth Play An Important Role In Oral Health Primary teeth—more commonly...

DIY Braces Are Dangerous

SOME DO-IT-YOURSELF projects leave us in awe of the sheer ingenuity and creativity involved. Others…not so much. DIY braces definitely fall into the latter category. There’s a reason it takes years of specialized training on top of dental school before orthodontists...

Professional Orthodontics Vs. Mail Aligners

ARE MAIL-ORDER aligners worth getting instead of professional orthodontic treatment with an orthodontist? We don’t think so, and it’s not just that we’re biased. Mail-order aligners can be cheaper and easier than in-office orthodontic treatment, but you’re really...

Oral Cancer Awareness Month Is Here!

STAYING INFORMED ABOUT the symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer is incredibly important. We oral health professionals are on the front lines of the battle against oral cancer, and we want to recruit our patients to fight with us. Oral Cancer Risk Factors By far...

What is the CAO?

The California Association of Orthodontists (CAO) is the California component of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)—the largest and oldest dental specialty organization. The CAO represents nearly 1,500 orthodontic members who practice in California. CAO members are specialists who have completed dental school and then successfully completed 2–3 years of additional training at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Our members are experts in diagnosing and treating all orthodontic problems in patients of all ages—from child to adult. Whether a patient is considering clear aligners or traditional braces, orthodontists have the expertise and the treatment options to make sure they get their best smile.

Become A Member

CAO is a component of the American Association of Orthodontists and Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. Members receive an abundance of resources to assist in building and maintaining their orthodontic practices. Orthodontists practicing in California join at the national (AAO) level and are automatically admitted to the constituent (PCSO) and component (CAO) organizations, gaining access to member benefits for each organization.