We have a kiddo who will need braces sometime in the next year or two and we're trying to get a handle on costs. Our dentist, who is great, is not an orthodontist, but I don't know if that's important or not as he does a lot of cosmetic dental work, including braces on adults. I've been told that going to an Ortho is more expensive, and not always necessary. We've having special jaw x-rays done, and I'm thinking I'd like to show those to other dentists/orthodontists to get estimates. Can those of you with experience in these things give me some insights? Are there any east-end dentists/orthodontists who are really exceptional?