This place is incredible. I received a permanent bonded retainer over 20 years ago that finally…read moregave up the ghost during quarantine. Everywhere I called said they wouldn't replace it ... except Dr. Murphy's office. That was a relief but a little anxiety inducing in itself. With all that said, and the fact that it had definitely been a minute since an orthodontics appointment, Southern Maine Orthodontics made me feel welcome and informed every step of the way. The front desk staff were extremely thorough and informed when explaining my insurance coverage over the phone prior to my appointment. Once there, the dental technicians were friendly and gentle and made me feel comfortable. And finally Dr. Murphy was a really funny and skilled orthodontist who replaced my retainer in no time at all. It was literally fun, easy, cheap, and painless! Afterwards, Dr. Murphy recommended Invisalign which I admitted wasn't affordable to me now, but he made a plan to work with me if I chose to get it at a later date. I often dread the dentist, and I was worried about replacing my retainer, but the whole team made it truly a wonderful and easy experience.

I am over the moon about my new smile and I have the amazing Dr. Murphy and his team to thank for…read moreit! As an adult in ortho for the second time, my results actually exceeded my expectations! Appointments were prompt, efficient and dare I say even fun. Honestly it's *almost* a shame I'm done treatment. If you're considering orthodontics for you or your family, I would give them a call and go meet the team for yourself! What have you got to lose?

Don't waste your time and money getting braces here. This dude is solely in it for the money. He…read morewants as many Maine Care reimbursements as possible in a 40 hour work week. I got my braces taken off 4 years ago. All of the techs are rough and constantly in a hurry. Nothing but a terrible experience ever since. He refused to refer me to an oral surgeon to get my wisdom teeth extracted before I got my braces removed. After my braces were removed, my teeth soon became crowded again because of the force of my wisdom teeth (even wearing my retainers as recommended). My hygienist later on recommended that I sue this place, because there were many things wrong with my teeth, including gum erosion on six of my bottom teeth from my brackets being placed too low. My overbite problem was also never resolved. Today, my bottom retainer snapped in half. Not surprised, seeings the orthodontist snapped my top retainer at my very first fitting, saying that material was janky and he would order me a new one for only the top. DO NOT GO HERE.

Having been a patient of Michelle Shems, I found the practice efficient and clean. never really had…read moreany issues. I spent the traditional $4-5k for a top and bottom straightening (probably much more by now). I also had my kids braces put on there and also my ex-wife's as well. in all I spent well over $25k for here services. Here's my issue, I went in recently and wanted to purchase a invisalign replacement aligner and was told that each aligner was going to be $250 each. It's a small piece of plastic. My initial thought was, wow, I spent over $25k with this practice and they still want to ram me for a couple pieces of plastic. Really leaves a poor taste in my mouth. Buyer beware. The original service may be good, but if you need any follow up, it's gonna cost you again.

I found working with the staff and Dr Shems easy and stress free. The entire staff are extremely…read morecourteous and accommodating. We are in the very beginnings of our Invisalign treatment for my son and Dr Shems' office has gone out of there way to make him feel informed and comfortable. They have continued to work with us on scheduling which can always be a challenge with 12 year olds. I would highly recommend Dr Shems office to anyone looking for quality orthodontic services.

They didn't tell me that they weren't contracted with my ins anthem... not when I scheduled and not…read morefor the 2 visits I had there. They just stuck me with a $500 bill. The woman I spoke with on the phone about the lack of telling me stated they don't have to make us aware. Horrible service and policy.

I have been a patient with this office for over 10 years. Always paid my invoices in full. My last…read moreoffice visit with them was in March 2025 for my annual cleaning. When I checked out with them on that day I was advised by the billing clerk that my cleaning was covered 100 percent. No payment was due they advised. My follow up appointment was set for September 11, 2025. Recently, I received a letter from the Thomas Agency which is a collection agency indicating that I owed $35 to Gentle Dental and this amount was referred to them to collect. Of note, I had never received a bill nor a call from Gentle Dental advising me that I owed their office $35. This bill was sent to a collection agency for a balance that I was never notified about. This is questionable business practice in my view. Having said that, I went in person to Gentle Dental's office on September 3, 2025 to happily pay whatever they claimed may have been due on my part. I spoke to a female named Sabrina and explained why I was there. She refused to accept payment from me and instructed me to pay only through the collection agency. Furthermore, she also informed me that I was dismissed from their office and that I will need to find another dental provider. When I asked her why would you send this matter directly to a collection agency rather than sending me a bill directly or even a call from them advising me of a balance she had no response or reason. I believe this conduct is unprofessional and not in the best interests of patient care. At no time was I given an opportunity to resolve the balance directly with their office before being sent to collections. I have filed a complaint with the Maine Dental Board in regard to their business practices. This is extremely unprofessional in my opinion. Why would you send a long term patient to collections for $35 without reaching out to the patient first? If this is how they treat a long term patient like myself, think twice about this office for your dental needs! In regard to the care they provided to me they are just medicore. Nothing spectacular. I have observed that the Dentists don't stay long term nor do the front desk area. Fortunately, I never needed extensive dental work. Can only imagine the problems that could have came if I did! I have found a new provider and I look forward to having a long term relationship with them.

We were on vacation and forgot our daughter's expander key. Orthodontic Associates kindly assisted…read moreus in obtaining a new one for no cost right when we got in. Our family is very thankful!

We are out of towers on vacation and staying for a week in Scarborough. Totally forgot my son's…read morerunner bands for his braces. (Guess I'm not getting the Mother of the Year Award.) I called Ortho Assoc to ask if they could provide us with bands. They couldn't have been more friendly and helpful! Wouldn't even less us pay anything. Thank you for lessoning a mother's guilt! We enjoyed the rest of our vacation! Thank you so much!!

I have taken my 5 kids here for treatment and am quite pleased with the service and results and how…read morethey worked with me to pay for it all.

From the owner: Dental Orthodontics and Invisalignread more

6,000.00 dollars for Invisalign. Do what I didn't and get several consults. I was halfway thru and…read moremy teeth were so far off if gave me TMJ, they were terrible, THEY LIED about my dentist (who was on vacation) saying that she agreed with taking the braces off for 3 months and then come back, BASICALLY sent me packing with TMJ and only 2 front teeth to chew with... I spoke with a lawyer and was advised to take them to small claims court to get my money back. I sent them a registered letter and we ended with them giving me 3,000.00 back... They said, "that's what we usually do." good grief, what does that tell you? I found the perfect Orthodontist and now I have a great bite and NO TMJ..... BEWARE, you are nothing but a $$$$ sign with these inapt newbies.

We live on the west coast but spend summers in Maine. We were appreciative that Mbrace agreed to…read moreaccept my daughter for 2 routine adjustments (tightening) over an extended stay in Maine. Normally a 10 minute quick event. The first visit was perfect. The second visit she was given X-rays and we were given a "consultation" (not requested or expected) recommending switching to an Invisalign program. Obviously that didn't happen.. we were half way through an effective program based on the west coast. In short, we were billed $900 for two quick adjustments. I asked the office to reconsider their billing. They refused to adjust their billing so I paid it. Felt very disappointing. And, by the way, my daughter now has a beautiful smile using the standard braces approach.