South OC Orthodontics
Chris Carter, DMD:
Practice Profile Page

★★★★★

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DENTAL TREATMENTS OFFERED

Clear aligners

Braces

Retainers

Comprehensive orthodontics

Interceptive orthodontics

Space maintainers

Palatal expansion

Headgears

CLEAR ALIGNER SERVICES

Offers Even28 at-home™? No

Offers Even28 at-dentist™? No

Offers Invisalign®? Yes

OFFICE HOURS

Monday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Thursday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

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BEFORE & AFTER PHOTO GALLERY

PATIENT REVIEWS

The Best I’ve Seen in 77 Years! I have had extensive dentistry done on myself and on my children and all 6 of my grandchildren have had braces.  I went with one of them to an appointment. This grandma has probably seen 20 dentists and orthodontists over the years.  Dr. Chris Carter is the best.  How does a 77 year old woman end up at a kid friendly dentist?  Because Invisalign recommended him as one of their top providers.  My Invisalign retainer broke 3 years ago.  Two local orthodontists told me that Invisalign only comes in a “full package deal” and that my old retainer could not be replaced because the records only go back a year. Oddly, Invisalign found my old records from 2005 when I lived in northern California.  They debunked the myth about me needing to pay $5000 to $6000 to straighten my now shifting teeth.  The company itself referred me to Dr. Carter and even stayed on the line while the appointment was made.  Two days ago I got my first Invisalign tray. Wow!  South OC Orthodontics uses the latest technology.  No biting into gooey plastic and sitting.  They have a digital scanner that makes the impressions on the screen.  The braces fit perfectly.  But this is just the tip of the iceberg of positive experiences with their office. Every single person is friendly, enthusiastic, on time, professional, and happy.  Dr. Carter decided to give this “old lady” an amazing “deal” because he is that kinda guy.  Though the problem had nothing to do with him, he gladly sacrificed some of his profit to solve it for me.  I am paying far far less than the original quotes, because of his generosity and empathy. These are truly nice people. I left his office and told everyone I know to go to him.  It is such a positive experience that words fail me.  Little TV screens for kids at each chair play videos. The young staff is super friendly and competent.  It may seem crazy or vain at my age to want straight teeth, but thanks to this office, I will smile broadly again and happily

I highly recommend  Dr. Carter, he was able to correct my son’s missing tooth without an implant.  He is an extremely kind person and always willing to take the time to discuss your treatment plan and progress.  His office runs on time and his staff is very friendly.  He fixed my son’s teeth and my wife and I were so impressed, we had him do Invisalign for us

This place is fun for the whole family. The staff is so friendly, and really try to make the whole experience great for the kids. They have lots of fun perks for the kids, including a goody bag with a toothbrush of their choice, floss and toothpaste, a sticker, and a toy of your child’s choice. There’s movies playing above the seats so kids can watch great movies while they need to sit still. Everyone feels like they genuinely care and take their time to make sure it’s a great experience for everyone. If you have kids and are looking for a dentist who will become a part of your family, look no further

I created a yelp account just to give this office a 5 star review. If I could give it more than 5 I would! I went in for a consultation yesterday with Dr. Carter and I was very impressed! The office is absolutely stunning!!! Very clean and well put together. Dr. Carter and his staff are very kind and professional. I can tell they take pride in what they do. Dr. Carter went over the photos they took of me in great detail and came up with the best treatment option. He showed me different before and after photos of the cases he has done and they looked perfect and beautiful. I am confident in his work and would be happy to refer ANYONE to this great office!! I can’t wait to start treatment and to getting my teeth and bite perfect!

Dr. Carter was my orthodontist about ten years ago. He did a fantastic job fixing the gap between my front teeth. I remember him being so genuinely nice and caring. He also had a much lower estimate than other orthodontists in the area. Other orthodontists said I needed both my uppers and lowers in braces but he said only my upper teeth need braces. Ten years later he was right. My bottom teeth look beautiful. Recently I went back to him because the retainer he gave me when I got my braces off broke and he made me a new one for free! That was just above and beyond! Dr. Carter really takes care of his patients for life

My whole family goes to Dr. Carter and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. He has the absolute nicest staff who are always friendly and welcoming. They even had a “congrats” table of treats for my daughter and all those who got their braces off today. They add small little touches that make it personal. You don’t feel like you’re just a number. They do an amazing job and we’ve had years of experience to prove how consistently awesome they are. (plus we have rarely ever had to wait in the waiting room for our appointments and the appointments are always so quick – best thing for a busy mom)

At South OC Dental I have received the best care from Dr. Carter and his staff. I was told by another orthodontist that Invisalign was not an option, and being at the age of 20 the last thing I wanted was to go through the 12-18 month painful process and embarrassment of metal braces. When I went to my appointment at South OC Dental the office was warm and welcoming and the staff was very inviting. During my appointment I told Dr. Carter about the other orthodontist I had gone to and after a quick examination he told me that Invisalign was very much an option and quoted me $1,500 less than the orthodontist who wanted to give me metal braces. After 6-8 months my teeth are straight and no one even noticed that I had braces

I’m not sure where to start, Chris carter has a wonderful establishment offering much needed service to the people in our community. I thought I was a case that could not be helped. When I went for my consultation I finally received the information and assistance needed to improve the condition of my teeth and confidence. The most friendly and educated, professional staff members inhibit south oc ortho office. They make you feel at ease and in good hands. I want to give extra thanks to Alexis and Kristie for offering a consistent client experience and warm welcome to patients. My treatment is sill in progress But the results don’t lie. The last visit my photos were generated from the before affect and I hardly recognized those teeth. Since I’ve started as a patient here, my jaw is comfortable because of the improved bite and alignment. Years of discomfort and lack of self confidence are finally diminishing, and I owe it all to the friendly and knowledgable members at south oc. If you are in need of corrective dental work. Look no further, schedule a free consultation today. As a single mother I didn’t think I could afford braces, but dr. carter worked out a special payment plan to work within my budget. Give them a try, you will not be disappointed

Everything about South OC Orthodontics is amazing.  We had a bad experience at a different orthodontist so in comparison, this was 1,000 times better!!  The front desk staff was considerate and even leaned over the desk to talk to our child and let her know what to expect in a nice, calming way.  The office is great – clean and modern.  The orthodontist and assistant were both amazing – They explained everything clearly and again, made our child feel comfortable to the point that she agreed to start that day and jumped right into the chair.  We are so happy we found them!

Dr. Carter and his team are fantastic! Every time my children had an appointment they were seen within 5 minutes of our arrival. I do not know of any other doctors office that runs this efficiently.  If we have had an issue with a loose wire or a retainer fix, they fit us in immediately. Dr. Carter and his team take the time to explain the process and update us at each appointment. The front desk is especially fantastic! They always are friendly and helpful on the phone. A big thank you to Toni for all the help she gave us getting dates scheduled. Thank Dr. Carter and team for caring so well for my kids and making their smiles great!!

My whole family goes to Dr. Carter and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. He has the absolute nicest staff who are always friendly and welcoming. They even had a “congrats” table of treats for my daughter and all those who got their braces off today. They add small little touches that make it personal. You don’t feel like you’re just a number. They do an amazing job and we’ve had years of experience to prove how consistently awesome they are. (plus we have rarely ever had to wait in the waiting room for our appointments and the appointments are always so quick – best thing for a busy mom)

My son goes to a different orthodontist and the metal band on his molar came loose. His orthodontist was out of town for a week and he couldn’t wait that long. The band was preventing him to bite down and eat. So, I stoped by Dr. Carter’s office to ask if he could help my son to fix the problem. Dr. Carter fixed the band without even charging us.  My son was not a patient at his practice, but Dr. Carter was so kind and friendly. He could’ve easily refused to help us since my son wasn’t  his patient. Everyone at the office were so nice and welcoming! I highly recommend Dr. Carter and his staff! Great experience for us!

We have had the best experience with Dr Carter and the entire team. The staff is very friendly and professional. He is currently working with my kids and husband. Each of our family members have had different needs and Dr Carter offered us flexibility to adjust and adapt each treatment plan accordingly. I highly recommend Dr Carter for kids and adults!

We are in the beginning stages of the orthodontics process and couldn’t be happier with Dr. Carter’s office. Each visit has been greeted by a warm and friendly staff, a very brief waiting time, tons of information and clear to-dos. I leave knowing exactly what the next step is with a follow up appointment and plan. Every interaction we have had with staff from the front office to the back rooms has been awesome. Dr. Carter himself is kind, easy to talk with and truly makes you feel like and individual, not just another patient. The office is clean and run like a well oiled machine! I highly recommend this practice

I have been taking my kids to Dr. Carter for the past several years and we love Dr. Carter and his staff! He is extremely patient and answers all of my questions and is so great with the kids. When I first took my son in as a 2nd grader I was nervous about how things would go because he has Autism and was extremely sensitive and would get anxious about a lot of things. But Dr. Carter was extremely cautious, open-minded, and sensitive to my son. He has gone above and beyond for both of my children and I couldn’t be happier! His staff is always wonderful to work with too! Thanks Dr. Carter!

The service and care is incomparable and we appreciate the patience and empathy from the staff especially with young children who are fearful of going to the Dentist, you need the tender care and understanding like this team has shown and delivered to my family. Definitely the best around!

We always have a great experience at the South OC office.  Between the friendly staff and the patience of the hygienists and dentists, my kids never complain about getting their teeth cleaned.  The kids can pick out a toy after their appointment as well, which is an added bonus for them.  We also never wait more than 5 or 10 minutes before being seen, which helps with a busy schedule.  After this last appointment, I was in such a hurry that I did not have time to schedule my kids’ next 6 month cleaning.  The staff called me to schedule it.  What service! I highly recommend this office!

I had my consultation today with Dr. Carter and his staff at South OC Orthodontics. The wait time was non existent and the staff were extremely professional and kind. The office was very organized and clean as well. Dr. Carter went over the photos we had taken with me and explained which options would work best for me. I’m most certain I will come back to begin treatment after viewing my results from the Invisalign scan. I’m very happy to have referred my brother here as well and we will begin treatment next week. Customer service and presentation are extremely important to me and South  OC Orthodontics set the bar very high as far as previous orthodontic offices visits have gone

I have been taking my kids to Dr. Carter for the past several years and we love Dr. Carter and his staff! He is extremely patient and answers all of my questions and is so great with the kids. When I first took my son in as a 2nd grader I was nervous about how things would go because he has Autism and was extremely sensitive and would get anxious about a lot of things. But Dr. Carter was extremely cautious, open minded, and sensitive to my son. He has gone above and beyond for both of my children and I couldn’t be happier! His staff is always wonderful to work with too! Thanks Dr. Carter!

I was referred to Dr. Carter by a friend after a protracted and painful 2years with another orthodontist. Having been used to lengthy appointments I was really pleased that on arrival they always knew what was to be done without any delay. Dr. Carter and his team seemed to communicate clearly and directly which gave me confidence that I’d made the right choice. I liked that they respected my time and met it with punctuality and efficiency. My appointments were also painless which came as a welcome relief after my previous ‘Marathon Man’ experiences. Things that I also liked: Positive attitude, clear communication, explanations of treatment and of course results. One final thing to note was the honesty – there was no evasion of questions nor how long the braces would be on for. Despite starting with British teeth I finally have a great smile, recommended

I have wanted straight teeth my entire life  (I could be a grandmother if my kids would cooperate so that gives you an idea of my age!).  My children are grown and on their own so it’s finally time to take care of myself.  I found Dr. Carter online and met with him to discuss whether braces would work for me.  He explained everything very thoroughly and patiently and I’m now in the last stage of Invisalign treatment.  My teeth are looking fabulous—I’m so happy and excited to finally have straight teeth!  Dr. Carter’s practice is the best-organized, smoothest-running medical/dental practice I’ve ever been in.  Everyone is so friendly, helpful, and kind and I never have to wait more than a few minutes for my appointment.  I wish I had known of Dr. Carter when my children had their braces!  I highly recommend Dr. Carter.  He’s the best!

Both of my children have been patients for 16 plus years. The staff and dentists are friendly, kind, patient, knowledgeable, competent and trustworthy to do the best and right thing for my kids teeth! I would recommend this practice to all young kids/teens. Thank you OC Pediatric Dentistry for the years of service, taking away the fear kids often feel sitting in a dental chair and the beautiful healthy gums and teeth they have!

I love Dr. Carter and his staff. They’re all really nice and helpful. I’ve been taking my kids to him since they were 5, and 6. When all orthodontist want to sell you braces he was very conservative and said it wasn’t necessary. He would check them every year and even on years that I for sure thought they would need them he would say “no, not yet.” Fast forward to now they are 10 and 11, he gave me the go ahead for my daughter and said anytime this year she’s ready. I never feel pressured or forced to make a decision right then and there. My son needed braces and an expander. Being the thrifty person that I am I drove all around getting quotes from many doctors, their recommendations would vary but all said he needed an expander and braces. Most of them would only do it as a packaged deal and wouldn’t let me pay for the expander first and then do the braces. I finally went back to Dr. Carter and he said that he would do it. It was very reasonable priced. It was time to set up braces for my daughter I kept going back and forth between a friend’s recommendation. I knew I wanted to do it in January but hadn’t made a decision on which orthodontist yet. Let me explain to you what won me over. My son had an expander and a bottom retainer put in. Both of these were bonded in, they could not be removed unless Dr. Carter did it. When the expander came out they had a little bit of trouble and my son was hurt. Dr. Carter sincerely apologized to my son and gave him a gift card. It was pretty hard for my son but he managed and the Frappuccino he bought later helped. A few months later we found out that the bottom retainer had to come out also because it was obstructing two molars from coming in. When my son found out he started to panic and was inconsolable. He started to cry and kept repeating that he couldn’t do it. Dr. Carter stepped away and let me have a minute with him. He later came back and tried to calm him down but he was just so panicked, he would hear anything anyone was saying. Dr. Carter came back and told him a story about how he used to be scared too. His sobs began to quiet down and he explained to him that he could immediately stop if he raised his hand. They practiced it a few times through my son’s sobs . As he got closer to his mouth my son would start sobbing again and keep repeating that he couldn’t. Dr. Carter assured him it was okay to say he couldn’t and it was completely okay to feel upset. It was a normal feeling considering my son was not in control. He then said “but you are in control because if you want it to stop just raise your hand and I’m done!” Long story short my son let him and he pooped it off with no problem and he let him wiggle it to see if he could get it out himself. My decision was made right then and there. He’s a quality doctor and my daughter is getting her braces with him. Not a lot of doctors are patient with older children anymore. They have the patience for young toddlers but expect older children to compose themselves and “tough it out.” Dr. Carter is amazing!!! Some people are made to do what they do because they do it so well. I have recommended him to others and I will continue to do it! He’s in a league of his own. Way to go Dr. Carter

Our daughter and son are both patients of Dr. Carter. For both kids, Dr. Carter said they didn’t need braces. Their bites were both fine and any adjustments would be cosmetic. I appreciate his honesty! After thinking about it for about a year, we went forward with our daughter. Dr. Carter put us at ease when deciding whether our daughter should do Invisalign or traditional braces. We went with Invisalign and couldn’t be happier with the outcome! Now, our younger son has Invisalign and it’s going great! Dr. Carter has such a kind and gentle demeanor. His staff and office are great. We couldn’t be happier and we highly recommend Dr. Carter!

My dentist referred me to Dr. Carter when I expressed an interest in straightening my teeth. They were not THAT crooked to begin with, but as a single female in my early 30’s, I decided to consult with Dr. Carter. He took a lot of time answering all of my questions in a friendly, patient manner. He did not talk above me or make me feel rushed, like I find many physicians in Orange County have a tendency to do. His prices were reasonable and the year + Dr. Carter took care of me, more than paid for itself.  He is extremely caring, trustworthy, hard-worthy, and honest. Someday when I have a family, I will trust only Dr. Carter with their Orthodontic care

My girls have been seeing Dr. Carter off and on for almost 10 years. Recently my eldest daughter had gone through major surgery, lost 35 lbs, and was self conscious going in to see her orthodontist. Dr. Carter went out of his way to comfort my daughter, ask how she was, spent extra time lifting her spirits. There are not many orthodontist with as big a heart as his. Thank you Dr. Carter for being so loving to my family. You have no idea what a huge impact your kind words had the spirit of a very sick kid. You are amazing

I am not one to write reviews, but after having my son seen by a few orthodontists we decided Dr. Carter was the best person to straighten his teeth. We have been amazed at how quickly my sons teeth aligned and are very happy with the staff at Dr. Carter’s Mission Viejo office. I would recommend him to other mom’s looking for someone honest to take your kids to. I am considering having my teeth aligned by Dr. Carter since he does adults also, but I am still deciding between clear braces and invisalgn

Dr. Carter and his fabulous staff are the best! Not only does my son have a great smile but every experience with the office was better than I ever expected. The staff is always happy, professional, friendly and knowledgeable. I went to other orthodontists in the area to compare price and quality of service before choosing Dr. Carter. No one could compare!  I have just started  invisalign with him. Yes, he even does adults!  Looking forward to my beautiful new smile!

Dr.  Carter and his team are fantastic. My son had a front tooth that grew in at a 90 degree angle, so he got started with braces from Dr. Carter at a young age. Once that was handled (phase 1), we went back to Dr. Carter several years later for phase 2.  Dr. Carter and his team are professional and friendly, and we are so happy with the results. My son’s teeth look wonderful and we still visit for follow ups now that he is wearing a retainer just at night. I give him my highest recommendation – and I know my son would, too.  As someone who dealt with less than pleasant dentists and orthodontists as a child, it was important to me to find someone who was really good with young people, and Dr. Carter and his team are amazing

WOW! Dr. Carter is one of the most professional people I have ever met. He deals with his patients with incredible passion. I am 28 years old and had to get braces again and he makes me feel comfortable and assured that my braces will not intrude in my professional life. I highly recommend Dr. Carter if you’re an adult. I wish I had gotten my first set of braces (15) with him. My teeth would have still been straight! I enjoy going into my appointments because they are on time and fast! A great help for a busy man like my self. Even though I love the entire staff at his office, I am happy I am almost done with my braces! I will continue to refer people to your office! Thank you Dr. Carter. You have been a great help

Have been shopping for braces; met with two other Orthodontists in the area.  They are nice doctors too but Dr. Carter is a straight shooter, very genuine, kind and he really cares about doing what is right for your teeth with no hidden agendas or fees. The establishment is clean, organized, hi-tech and the staff is great.  His pricing is very competitive, fair and reasonable and out of the three orthodontists I’m glad I signed my son up with Dr. Carter on the spot

Dr. Carter is an amazing Ortho. He does take a more conservative approach and does not feel pushy. You get a sense of honest dedication here. His front office was very kind and welcoming. His assistant that was there during the consult made my son feel comfortable. For example, my kid was working on a word puzzle and she got him a clipboard. He was a valued patient even if he was just 6yrs old. Dr.Carter interacted with my son well. And made sure he even looked inside his mouth (not just the x-ray in front of him). We look forward to seeing him soon! The location of this place is also nice and easy to access. A bonus for having it near a Starbucks! Just a disclaimer: this is my 3rd Ortho consult for my kid as it has been recommended that my kid gets expanders because of overcrowding

They are wonderful! Always professional and caring. We have used them for both our children from their first visits till they finished high school and then some. They try to accommodate you for office visits and get you in immediately if it’s an emergency. Could not be happier with the care we have received from them throughout the years. Do not hesitate for one minute to use them

I cannot day enough wonderful things about Dr. Carter and his incredible staff. First, Dr. Carter really listens to what your needs and expectations are and creates an extremely comprehensive plan to meet your goals (for the perfect smile). He has a wealth of knowledge and explains Everything thoroughly, for those of you who like to know exactly what to expect. Secondly, his staff is the most friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff I have ever encountered- and I have worked in medical field for over a decade. A few other details I greatly appreciate are: the entire office is always pristinely clean and organized. I have been coming here for a few years and have never waited even 5 minutes for my appointment time. They clearly understand how to schedule properly so that there is no waiting, yet you are never rushed- you will be seen thoroughly and your questions will all be answered. I wish I can give the group 10 stars. I am attaching a photo of my smile, we are not quite done yet but the improvements so far have been fantastic

Love love love this dental office for my children.  We’ve come here for 5 years now.  Not only are the doctors and dental hygienists personable but they are also thorough, taking a preventative approach to oral care.  The office is so friendly and inviting that my kids actually look forward to going to the dentist!  They love to take pictures in the photo booth and play the video games plus they enjoy getting a prize after their visit. We have had nothing but success with this dental office.  Highly recommend!

A WORD FROM YOUR DOCTOR