Get a better,
healthier smile
Dr. Patricia Hong, DDS

Miami Board-Certified Orthodontist

Board-certified orthodontist showing Invisalign in Miami
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Board-certified orthodontist Patricia Hong DDS

Superior training

Dr. Hong is a graduate of the prestigious Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. After obtaining her doctorate degree, she completed her Orthodontic specialty residency at the equally prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Shortly after graduation, she achieved Board-Certification status with the American Board of Orthodontics.

More treatment options

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Invisalign® improves your smile by using a series of removable, clear, and comfortable aligners – virtually invisible to your friends, family and coworkers. Because Invisalign® is removable, you can take them out to eat and drink, and you can brush and floss your teeth as you would normally do.

Clear or Metal Braces

Conventional braces for both children and adults offer the most comprehensive approach to treating complex orthodontic issues, ranging from crooked teeth to jaw and bite concerns. When appearance is important, clear or ceramic braces offer a more esthetic treatment option for achieving a beautiful smile.

Ivy league trained orthodontist holding clear aligners while talking to a female patient
Adult Invisalign patient laughing

Quality treatment at any age

Dr. Hong is committed to providing excellent care for patients of all ages, including adults, teens and young children. Whether a case of simple tooth crowding or a complex bite problem, Dr. Hong has the advanced training and extensive experience required to create a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.
Schedule a free consultation for you and your family today and find out what a difference a specialist who is focused on excellence can make for you and your smile! Adults and children are welcome!

Before & Afters:
Crowding
Spacing
Open bite
Spacing
Initial presentation of patient with tooth crowding
Before
After
Final result for patient with tooth crowding
Before
Tooth spacing before orthodontic correction
After
Tooth spacing after orthodontic correction
Before
Image of open bite before orthodontic treatment
After
Image of open bite after orthodontic treatment
Before
Patient with midline space before correction
After
Patient with midline space after correction

Convenient location

Thanks to our central location on the Mercy Hospital campus, we are conveniently located to treat patients from Miami, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne. Convenient self and valet parking available at the building.

Aerial view of Mercy Hospital campus located between Miami, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board-certified orthodontist?

A board-certified orthodontist is an orthodontist who has met the eligibility criteria of the American Board of Orthodontics. The requirements to become a certified in the USA are as follows:
  • Graduate from an accredited Orthodontic program
  • Document a portfolio of treated orthodontic patients that meet the guidelines of the Board
  • Pass written and oral examinations
Additional, ABO-certified orthodontic specialists need to be recertified every 10 years to ensure they stay current with modern developments and techniques. This process involves a new examination as well as a continuing education requirement.
Diagram of the steps of the process of board certification

Are all orthodontists board-certified?

No, according to the American Dental Association only 30% of US orthodontists are board-certified. While graduating from an orthodontic training program will allow you to practice orthodontics as a specialty, it is not sufficient to become certified. In the US, orthodontic specialists can only be certified by the American Board of Orthodontics as determined by the ADA's list of Recognized Dental Specialty Certifying Boards.

How does an orthodontist become board-certified?

Orthodontists that wish to become certified need to carefully prepare a portfolio of finished cases that meet the very stringent requirements of the American Board of Orthodontics. These cases need to be of a sufficient degree of difficulty and encompass different categories of dentofacial challenges. Additionally, they need to be treated to a very high, stringent standard. With the cases completed and documented, applicants need to present and defend their choices in front of a panel of examiners.
Lastly, orthodontists also need to complete a written examination consisting of 240 multiple-choice questions covering the following topics:
  • Basic and applied biomedical sciences
  • General clinical sciences
  • Orthodontic clinical sciences
  • Clinical case analysis

How do I find a reputable orthodontist?

According to the American Board of Orthodontics, some of the questions you should ask your orthodontist are:

From which Dental School did you graduate? Where did you complete your Orthodontic Residency Program?

Training matters. Every dental school and training program has a different philosophy that will shape a doctor's diagnosis and treatment options. Asking about your doctor's training will ensure that the doctor has sufficient training to ensure your goals are met.

Do you only perform orthodontic treatment, or do you also offer general dentistry services?

Anybody with a dental license can perform orthodontic treatment. The difference between a general dentist and an orthodontic specialist is not the tools available, but the knowledge and experience. With both Invisalign and metal braces, the quality of the results depends largely on a correct diagnosis and a correct treatment strategy.

Do you personally do all of the work on your patients or will some of the work be completed by other associates?

With proper training, dental assistants can help with certain portions of orthodontic treatment under the direct supervision of an orthodontist. Other parts of the treatment, however, must be performed by the orthodontist and cannot be delegated. These include making any treatment decisions, making any adjustment to the teeth (such as slenderizing or IPR) and using high-speed dental handpieces (such as for removing braces or Invisalign attachments). These tasks cannot be delegated as per the Florida Board of Dentistry.

Are you a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and/or certified by The American Board of Orthodontics?

There are two main organizations for US orthodontic specialists:
  • The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) requires members to be orthodontic specialists, meaning having completed an orthodontic residency program (typically 2-3 years).
  • The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), in addition to being an orthodontic specialist, requires members to have completed their Board-Certification process.

Which doctor is best for braces?

In Miami, any licensed dentist can perform orthodontic treatment, whether using traditional braces, cosmetic ceramic braces or Invisalign clear braces. The differences between a general dentist and an orthodontic specialist are:
  • orthodontic specialists have an additional 2-3 years of full-time training after their dental training
  • orthodontic specialists are better trained for treating complex adult cases as well as any treatment on growing children, including dentofacial orthopedics and state-of-the-art treatment options.
  • orthodontic specialists spend all of their day doing braces and Invisalign treatment only, whereas a general dentist might only see a few orthodontic patient per day or week
  • only orthodontic specialists are eligible for board-certification
Map of office location at Mercy Hospital, centrally located between Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne and Brickell in Miami

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We look forward to meeting you!
Call (305) 568-8899 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.

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