Straighter Teeth with Expert Orthodontics in Playa del Carmen

Straighten Your Smile with an Expert Orthodontist

Crooked teeth, crowded arches, overbites, underbites — these are not just cosmetic issues. Misaligned teeth can lead to uneven wear, jaw pain, difficulty cleaning, and increased risk of cavities and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment corrects these problems at their root, giving you a smile that is both beautiful and healthier for the long term.

At our clinic in Playa del Carmen, orthodontic care is led by Dr. Alejandro Laguna Contreras, a specialist orthodontist with years of experience in both traditional braces and modern clear aligner systems. Whether you prefer the proven effectiveness of metal braces or the discreet convenience of Invisalign, our team creates a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific dental anatomy and lifestyle.

With metal braces starting at $2,500 and Invisalign from $3,345, our prices represent significant savings compared to the $5,000-$8,000 you would typically pay in the United States or $4,500-$7,000 CAD in Canada.

Our Orthodontic Treatment Options

Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces remain the most reliable and versatile orthodontic solution for complex alignment issues. Modern metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than the bulky brackets of the past. Our clinic uses the Damon System — a self-ligating bracket design that reduces friction, requires fewer adjustments, and often shortens overall treatment time.

Advantages of Metal Braces:

• Most effective option for severe crowding, spacing, and bite correction
• Damon System brackets reduce discomfort and appointment frequency
• No risk of patient non-compliance (unlike removable aligners)
• Generally the most affordable orthodontic option
• Suitable for patients of all ages, from adolescents to adults

Treatment Duration: 12 to 24 months depending on case complexity. Simple cases may finish in as little as 9 months.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, virtually invisible plastic aligners to gradually shift your teeth into their ideal positions. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks before moving to the next set in the sequence. The aligners are removable, so you can eat, brush, and floss normally throughout treatment.

Advantages of Invisalign:

• Nearly invisible — most people will not notice you are wearing them
• Removable for eating and oral hygiene
• No dietary restrictions (eat whatever you want)
• Fewer office visits required
• Comfortable with no metal brackets or wires
• Digital treatment planning shows your projected results before you begin

Treatment Duration: 6 to 18 months for most cases. Minor corrections may complete in as few as 3-6 months with Invisalign Lite.

Ceramic (Clear) Braces

For patients who want the effectiveness of traditional braces with a more discreet appearance, we offer ceramic brackets that blend with your natural tooth color. These function identically to metal braces but are significantly less noticeable.

Orthodontics for Dental Tourists and Expats

One of the most common questions we receive from international patients is: “How does orthodontic treatment work if I live abroad?” We have developed a flexible monitoring system that accommodates patients who cannot visit our clinic every month.

For Expats and Residents of the Riviera Maya

If you live in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Tulum, or anywhere in the Riviera Maya, you can attend regular monthly or bi-monthly adjustment appointments at our clinic. This is the most straightforward approach and allows Dr. Laguna to monitor your progress closely.

For Dental Tourists (Braces)

For patients returning to the US or Canada between visits, we design treatment plans with longer intervals between adjustments. The Damon System braces we use are specifically engineered for fewer adjustment appointments — typically every 8-10 weeks rather than every 4 weeks. We coordinate with your schedule so that adjustment visits can coincide with trips to Mexico.

For Dental Tourists (Invisalign)

Invisalign is particularly well-suited for international patients because much of the treatment is self-directed. After the initial fitting and scan at our clinic, you receive multiple sets of aligners to take home. You change aligners on schedule, and we monitor your progress through periodic photographs and virtual check-ins. In-person visits are needed only at key milestones, typically 2-3 times over the course of treatment.

Cost Comparison: Orthodontics in Mexico vs. the US

Treatment	US Price	Canada Price	Our Price	Savings
Metal braces (Damon System)	$5,000 - $7,000	$4,500 - $6,500 CAD	From $2,500	Up to 57%
Invisalign (full treatment)	$5,000 - $8,000	$4,500 - $7,000 CAD	$3,345 - $4,622	Up to 42%
Invisalign Lite (minor cases)	$3,000 - $5,000	$2,800 - $4,500 CAD	From $2,500	Up to 44%
Ceramic (clear) braces	$5,500 - $8,000	$5,000 - $7,000 CAD	From $3,000	Up to 45%
Retainers (post-treatment)	$500 - $1,000	$400 - $800 CAD	From $200	Up to 60%

All prices include the full treatment plan — initial records, brackets/aligners, all adjustment appointments, and retainers upon completion.

The Orthodontic Treatment Process

Step 1 — Comprehensive Evaluation

Your first visit includes a detailed oral examination, digital X-rays (panoramic and cephalometric), dental impressions or digital scans, and facial photographs. Dr. Laguna analyzes these records to diagnose your specific alignment issues and design a treatment strategy.

Step 2 — Treatment Planning

Using advanced orthodontic software, we create a detailed treatment plan showing the predicted movement of each tooth through every stage of treatment. For Invisalign patients, this includes a 3D animation (ClinCheck) that shows your projected final result. You review and approve the plan before treatment begins.

Step 3 — Appliance Placement or Aligner Delivery

For braces, brackets are bonded to your teeth and the initial archwire is placed. The entire process takes about 60-90 minutes and is completely painless. For Invisalign, you receive your first sets of aligners along with detailed instructions for use.

Step 4 — Progress Monitoring

You attend periodic adjustment appointments (in-person or virtual, depending on your treatment type and location). Each visit takes 15-30 minutes. Our team tracks your progress against the treatment plan and makes adjustments as needed.

Step 5 — Treatment Completion

Once your teeth reach their ideal positions, the braces are removed (a quick, painless process) or you finish your last set of aligners. Custom retainers are fabricated to maintain your results. We provide both fixed (bonded) retainers and removable retainers for comprehensive retention.

Who Benefits from Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics is not just for teenagers. In fact, a growing number of our patients are adults aged 30-60 who never had the opportunity for braces as children or whose teeth have shifted over time.

Common conditions we treat:

• Crowding — teeth overlapping or rotated due to insufficient arch space
• Spacing — gaps between teeth caused by tooth loss or naturally small teeth
• Overbite — upper front teeth extending too far over the lower teeth
• Underbite — lower teeth sitting in front of the upper teeth
• Crossbite — upper and lower teeth not aligning properly when biting
• Open bite — front teeth not touching when the back teeth are closed
• Midline shift — center of upper and lower teeth not aligned

Meet Your Orthodontist: Dr. Alejandro Laguna Contreras

Dr. Alejandro Laguna Contreras brings specialized training and years of clinical experience to every orthodontic case. His approach combines the precision of modern digital planning with the artistry of understanding how tooth position affects overall facial harmony. Dr. Laguna is fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring clear communication with international patients throughout the treatment process.

His philosophy is simple: every patient deserves a treatment plan designed specifically for them, using the best available technology, at a price that does not put dental health out of reach.

Combining Orthodontics with Other Treatments

Many patients achieve their best results by combining orthodontics with other dental services:

• Orthodontics + Veneers. Align your teeth first, then perfect the color and shape with porcelain veneers for a truly magazine-worthy smile.
• Orthodontics + Implants. Straighten remaining teeth to create proper spacing for dental implants where teeth are missing.
• Orthodontics + Whitening. Once braces come off, professional whitening creates a brilliant, straight smile.

Our team coordinates these combined treatment plans to ensure optimal timing and results.

Start Your Orthodontic Journey

Whether you are a Riviera Maya resident looking for a specialist orthodontist or a visitor exploring affordable options for braces or Invisalign, our clinic is here to help. Dr. Laguna personally evaluates every case and designs a treatment plan that fits your dental needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Send us photos of your teeth via WhatsApp for a free preliminary assessment and estimated treatment timeline.

Get Your Free Orthodontic Assessment on WhatsApp — We respond in under 2 hours.