I have mixed feelings about my experience at AO. When I decided to straighten my teeth, I chose…read morethis office because they had sponsored community events in the past.
My first impression was that the office had a loud, club-like atmosphere with very upbeat music and a young staff. Everyone was friendly and professional, but the environment felt a bit unusual for a medical setting, and I personally felt slightly out of place.
During my consultation, I met with Dr. Larabee, who was personable and confident. He estimated that my Invisalign treatment would take 16 months. I was surprised, as my teeth were not severely misaligned -- mostly mild crowding in the lower teeth that developed with age. He explained that I also had a cross-bite and jaw alignment issues, so I trusted his recommendation and proceeded.
After confirming my insurance covered about half the cost ($2,500), I moved forward. The initial appointment involved extensive imaging, scans, and photos. About four weeks later, I received my first set of aligners -- 28 trays to be changed weekly, covering roughly six months of treatment. Attachments ("buttons") were placed on my teeth by his assistants, and staff members showed me how to insert and remove the trays.
I did find it unusual that there were no scheduled check-ins during those six months. As a first-time Invisalign patient, I expected at least one progress visit to ensure everything was moving properly and attachments were intact. I was told to contact them if I had issues.
Due to unrelated medical appointments, I returned one month earlier than scheduled. Dr. Larabee was not happy that I moved my appointment up, but he indicated my progress was on track. His staff told me I still had about 11 months remaining, which surprised me because my teeth already looked nearly straight. Adjustments were made, including smoothing some edges and creating space between lower teeth to close a gap. New scans were taken for the next phase.
When I returned for my second set of aligners, I was given only 9 weeks' worth and told I would be finished with my treatment afterward. This was unexpected given the original 16-month estimate. I did not receive a clear explanation for the shortened timeline. Additional attachments were added (also not communicated at my last visit), and one fell off the same day. The earliest repair appointment was a week later at a different office location, which was inconvenient.
Ultimately, my active treatment lasted about 8 months -- roughly half the original estimate. While I was pleased to finish sooner, I was disappointed to learn that the total cost remained the same despite the significantly shorter treatment time. I had only 3 appointments with Dr. Larabee during the entire process. Patients should be aware that the fee is for the treatment plan as a whole, not the actual duration, and additional fees will apply if treatment extends beyond the estimate. I am not happy that I still owe $850 for a service I am no longer getting.
At my final visit, the doctor was running about 30 minutes behind schedule. I expressed concerns that my crossbite did not feel fully aligned and his assistant agreed with me. Dr. Larabee said it was related to jaw structure rather than tooth position, but Invisalign should have fixed that issue. Minor contouring was performed, but not to the extent I had hoped for. I asked him to do a little more and he said no, because it wouldn't look feminine. I really like the look of the teeth that are all one length and a nice straight look across, but he wouldn't do that for mine.
I was offered a retainer membership plan ($895 for four years plus $50 per replacement set), which also included some teeth whitening gel or the option to purchase retainers individually for $500 per set. I declined. Patients should carefully consider which option makes sense for their needs. My friend, who is a former hygienist, has had her retainers for years without any issues. It would have been nice for them to apply the $850 I owe toward the plan.
The office provided a small "congratulations" gift (a bag of candy) and advised me to continue wearing my aligners full-time for another week until my nighttime retainers arrived. This did not make sense to me. Why not wear them only at night? When my retainers were ready, I was required to schedule a pickup appointment rather than simply stopping by, which felt unnecessary.
Overall, my teeth do look better. However, the experience was marked by inconsistent communication, scheduling frustrations, and cost concerns. I recommend carefully reviewing the contract, asking detailed questions about timelines, fees, and follow-up care, and making sure you are comfortable with the treatment plan before proceeding.
While the clinical outcome was mostly positive, I personally would choose a provider with clearer communication and a more patient-centered approach if I were to do this again.
