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5 Best Orthodontic Clinics in Merced (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Updated · 8 min read

We compared 14 orthodontic clinics in Merced on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

Braces run for months or years, so orthodontic clinics in Merced deserve a closer look than a star rating gives. The offices below hold more than 4,700 Google reviews between them, but the ratings run from 4.0 to 5.0 and only some of those offices are orthodontic specialists; others are general or children's dental practices that also offer braces.

Short answer: Rowan Orthodontics leads at 5.0 stars from more than 1,400 Google reviews, followed by Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics (4.9, more than 800 reviews, mostly children's visits) and El Portal Dental Group (4.8, more than 700 reviews, a general dental office). The reviews we read do not quote braces prices, so ask for a written treatment and payment plan at the consultation.
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Braces Providers Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Rowan Orthodontics; Dr. R. Chad Rowan 5.0 ★ 1,448 Braces specialist View ›
2 Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics 4.9 ★ 865 Young children View ›
3 El Portal Dental Group 4.8 ★ 712 Braces plus general dental care View ›
4 Western Dental & Orthodontics 4.0 ★ 1,501 Braces inside a general dental chain View ›
5 Clifton Lauritzen DMD, Inc 4.8 ★ 224 Braces and aligners, adults too View ›
5 Best Orthodontic Clinics in Merced (2026)

Orthodontic offices, reviewed

Rowan Orthodontics; Dr. R. Chad Rowan logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Rowan Orthodontics; Dr. R. Chad Rowan

5.01,448 Google reviews

Rowan Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice on West Olive Avenue led by Dr. R. Chad Rowan. Its website describes personalized treatment for patients of all ages and lists Merced, Atwater and Planada in its title. Reviewers talk about braces for teenagers and about the day the braces come off.

What people praise

  • Parents describe Dr. Rowan as thorough and kind with their teenagers
  • Reviewers say the office is clean and quiet and the staff patient
  • A patient received personalized letters from the office and enjoyed the process
  • Families say staff answer questions and make visits pleasant

Worth knowing

  • A small number of reviewers want more explanation of cosmetic concerns at key appointments, such as braces removal
Reputation scorecardrank in Merced
Rating5 / 5
Review volume1,448 · 89th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A dedicated braces practice with 5.0 stars on more than 1,400 reviews, a perfect average resting on a deep review base. If braces are the whole reason for your visit, start here.

900 W Olive Ave d, Merced, CA 95348

Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics

4.9865 Google reviews

Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics is a children's dental office on G Street. Google lists it as both an orthodontist and a pediatric dentist, and it has no website text we could read. Every sampled review describes a child's dental visit, from a first appointment to regular cleanings, and none of them mentions braces.

What people praise

  • Parents say a frightened child felt comfortable here
  • A parent describes themed rooms and kid shows playing in the exam rooms
  • Families mention goodie bags and patient, warm staff
  • Reviewers say they have returned for years with the same children

Worth knowing

  • Sampled reviews cover children's dentistry, so ask directly what orthodontic treatment is offered and for which ages
Reputation scorecardrank in Merced
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume865 · 82nd
Confidencevery high
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A warmly reviewed office at 4.9 on more than 800 reviews, though the feedback is about children's dental care rather than braces. Use it for a young child, and confirm orthodontic services on the phone.

3538 G St, Merced, CA 95340

El Portal Dental Group logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

El Portal Dental Group

4.8712 Google reviews

El Portal Dental Group is a general dental office on G Street, not a dedicated braces practice, although Google also lists an orthodontist category for it. Its website names general, cosmetic, implant and emergency dentistry for adults and children. The braces evidence in its reviews is a single patient who had braces and dental implants at the same office, and the practice's reply refers to orthodontics being part of her plan.

What people praise

  • One patient did braces and implants through the same team
  • Reviewers call the staff friendly, with short waits once seated
  • Forms are sent electronically ahead of the visit
  • Saturday hours are listed

Worth knowing

  • Only one sampled review mentions braces, so ask who provides orthodontic care and what it costs
  • A fee applies for missed appointments without notice, per one reviewer
Reputation scorecardrank in Merced
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume712 · 75th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth a call if you want braces coordinated with other dental work in one office. Its 4.8 on more than 700 reviews mostly reflects general dental care, so ask about orthodontic experience.

3393 G St Ste b, Merced, CA 95340

Western Dental & Orthodontics logo
#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Western Dental & Orthodontics

4.01,501 Google reviews

Western Dental & Orthodontics is a branch of a California dental chain on West Olive Avenue. Its website lists general dentistry, braces and orthodontics, kids dentistry, emergency care and sedation, and its menu mentions Medi-Cal dental, Medicare Advantage and financing options. Hours include Saturdays.

What people praise

  • A patient with dental phobia says the front desk and the orthodontic department put her at ease
  • Reviewers praise a receptionist who helped set up a payment plan
  • A patient says an appointment cut the wait from two hours as a walk-in to about 15 or 20 minutes
  • Dental and orthodontic visits can happen in one office, as one patient notes

Worth knowing

  • Reviews are split: most are 5-star, but a visible group of 1-star reviews describe disorganized check-in, repeated paperwork and unclear communication
  • Booking an appointment rather than walking in is recommended by a reviewer
Reputation scorecardrank in Merced
Rating4 / 5
Review volume1,501 · 96th
Confidencehigh
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown73% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It holds more than 1,500 reviews, but its 4.0 average is the lowest of the group, which is why it ranks fourth. It may suit patients who need insurance or financing support, as long as you confirm the plan and the paperwork in advance.

1124 W Olive Ave, Merced, CA 95348

CL
#5🕑 Open 4 days/wk

Clifton Lauritzen DMD, Inc

4.8224 Google reviews

Clifton Lauritzen DMD, Inc operates as Lauritzen Orthodontics on Park Avenue. Its website lists traditional metal braces, self-ligating braces, ClearCorrect clear aligners, temporary anchorage devices and dentofacial orthopedics for kids, teens and adults. Google tags it as a dentist rather than an orthodontist, but the services on its own site are orthodontic.

What people praise

  • A parent says all of their children go here and an older child's results look perfect
  • An adult patient praises the choice between metal and clear braces and the short waits
  • Reviewers describe the office as organized and on time
  • Reviewers mention a friendly front desk

Worth knowing

  • A few reviewers say their consultation did not go as they hoped, so bring your questions on cost and treatment plan
Reputation scorecardrank in Merced
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume224 · 68th
Confidencehigh
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown93% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The smallest review base here, at more than 200 reviews, but a 4.8 rating and a services list that reads as a true braces practice. A good second opinion alongside Rowan Orthodontics.

2844 Park Ave, Merced, CA 95348

6

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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.

How the scorecard works

Each number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume is how many patients have rated the office, compared with other Merced clinics. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.9 from hundreds of reviews counts for more than a 5.0 from a handful. Recency reflects how recently patients still post reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What shapes braces costs in Merced? (2026)

Braces pricing in Merced depends on the type of appliance (metal braces, self-ligating braces or clear aligners), the length of treatment, whether insurance or Medi-Cal helps and whether the office offers a payment plan. The reviews we read for this page do not publish braces fees, so ask each office for a written treatment plan with the total cost and monthly payment before you start.

Where these braces providers are in Merced

These offices are on West Olive Avenue, Park Avenue and G Street in Merced. Looking for an orthodontist near me? Each card lists a phone number and directions, so you can compare consultations at several offices before committing.

What to ask at a braces consultation

  • Is the person treating me an orthodontist, and are braces done in this office?
  • What types of braces or aligners do you offer for my age?
  • How long will treatment take and how many visits are included?
  • What is the total cost, and is there a payment plan or insurance help?
  • What happens if I need to transfer treatment or miss an appointment?

Frequently asked questions

Which of these Merced clinics are orthodontic practices and which are general dental offices?

Rowan Orthodontics and Lauritzen Orthodontics describe orthodontic care on their own websites. Western Dental & Orthodontics is a general dental chain that lists braces, El Portal Dental Group is a general dental office, and Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics is a children’s dental office with orthodontics in its name and no website text we could read.

Do any of these Merced clinics treat adults with braces?

Lauritzen Orthodontics lists kids, teens and adults on its website, and an adult reviewer there describes getting braces after years of putting it off. Rowan Orthodontics says it treats patients of all ages.

Should I book ahead at Western Dental & Orthodontics in Merced?

One reviewer recommends it, saying a walk-in visit meant a two-hour wait while a booked visit took 15 to 20 minutes after check-in. Its website menu also lists Medi-Cal dental and financing options, which are worth confirming when you book.

Where are the orthodontic clinics in Merced located?

Rowan Orthodontics is at 900 W Olive Ave and Western Dental & Orthodontics at 1124 W Olive Ave. Clifton Lauritzen DMD is on Park Ave, and Merced Kids Dentist and Orthodontics and El Portal Dental Group are both on G Street.

Where to start

Rowan Orthodontics is the safe default for braces on rating and review depth, and Lauritzen Orthodontics is the other office whose own site is clearly orthodontic. Whichever you choose, get the total cost and treatment length in writing at the consultation.

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