Moving while you or your child are in braces or clear aligners? Moving is complicated enough. Finding a transfer orthodontist in the middle of treatment shouldn’t have to be.
Godley Family Orthodontics welcomes patients who are relocating to Zionsville, Carmel, Whitestown, Westfield, Lebanon, Indianapolis, and surrounding Central Indiana communities while already undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Whether you currently have metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign®, another clear aligner system, a palatal expander, or another orthodontic appliance, our board-certified orthodontists can evaluate your treatment and help determine the best way to continue your care.
No referral is required, and transfer consultations are complimentary.
Can I Transfer Orthodontists During Treatment?
Yes. Patients transfer orthodontic care for many reasons, including moving to a new city or state, relocating for work or school, changes in family circumstances, or simply needing to establish care with a new orthodontist.
Changing orthodontists does not necessarily mean starting treatment over. At Godley Family Orthodontics, Dr. Danielle Godley and Dr. Sydney Bradley will carefully evaluate where your treatment began, where your teeth and bite are today, and what remains to be completed.
Whenever possible, we also review records from your previous orthodontist so we can better understand your treatment history and progress.
Our goal is to make your transition as smooth as possible while ensuring that the orthodontic treatment moving forward is appropriate for your smile, bite, oral health, and long-term result.
Transferring Braces to a New Orthodontist
If you are moving while wearing braces, our orthodontists will evaluate your current brackets, wires, tooth positions, bite, treatment progress, and remaining orthodontic needs. In some cases, we may be able to continue using much of your existing orthodontic system. In other situations, certain brackets, wires, or appliances may need to be modified or replaced.
Orthodontic practices may use different bracket systems, prescriptions, materials, and treatment techniques. For that reason, we cannot determine exactly how treatment will continue until one of our orthodontists has evaluated you.
We will clearly explain any recommended changes before treatment begins in our office.
Can Invisalign or Clear Aligner Treatment Be Transferred?
Yes. We also evaluate patients who are currently undergoing Invisalign® or another clear aligner treatment.
Transfer options depend on several factors, including:
- Your current tooth positions and bite
- How much treatment remains
- Your existing aligner system
- Whether additional scans or records are needed
- Whether your current series of aligners can reasonably be continued
- Whether a new aligner treatment plan would provide a better result
Our board-certified orthodontists at Godley Family Orthodontics are experienced with multiple clear aligner systems, allowing them to recommend an approach based on your individual needs rather than a single treatment platform.
Our Transfer Patient Courtesy
We understand that relocating during orthodontic treatment can create unexpected expenses. For qualifying patients transferring active orthodontic care into our practice, Godley Family Orthodontics offers a transfer patient courtesy discount to help make continuing treatment a little easier.
Your previous treatment, remaining orthodontic needs, expected treatment time, appliance type, and available orthodontic insurance benefits will all be considered when determining your treatment fee.
Because every transfer case is different, your previous financial arrangement with another orthodontic office does not automatically determine the fee for treatment in our practice.
During your complimentary consultation, our team will clearly review:
- What treatment remains
- Our recommended treatment plan
- Whether your current appliances can be continued
- Your estimated remaining treatment time
- Your transfer treatment fee
- Any applicable transfer courtesy
- Available orthodontic insurance benefits
- Interest-free payment options
You will have the opportunity to review everything before deciding whether you would like to continue treatment with our office.
Will I Have to Pay for Orthodontic Treatment Again?
This is a common question patients have when transferring orthodontists. Orthodontic fees generally reflect the treatment and professional care provided by each individual practice. If part of your treatment has already been completed elsewhere, our fee will be based primarily on the treatment that remains after you transfer to our office.
The amount you previously paid another orthodontist may not directly correspond to the remaining treatment fee because every practice structures fees differently. We will evaluate your specific situation and provide a clear treatment and financial plan before you make any commitment.
Our transfer patient courtesy discount may also help reduce the cost of continuing care for qualifying transfer patients.
What Happens at a Transfer Orthodontic Consultation?
Your complimentary transfer consultation allows our team to understand both where you have been and where your treatment needs to go next.
Your visit with one of our orthodontists may include:
1. Review of Your Treatment History
We will discuss when treatment began, what treatment you have completed, and any concerns you have about your current progress.
2. Orthodontic Evaluation
One of our orthodontists will personally evaluate your teeth, bite, smile, jaw relationships, current appliances, and remaining orthodontic needs.
3. Review of Previous Records
When available, we may review photographs, X-rays, digital scans, treatment notes, appliance information, and other records from your previous orthodontist.
4. Updated Records When Needed
Depending on the quality and timing of your previous records, updated photographs, scans, or imaging may be recommended so we can safely and accurately plan the remainder of your treatment.
5. Treatment Recommendations
We will explain what we recommend moving forward, whether your current appliances can be continued, and whether any changes may benefit your treatment.
6. Financial Review
Our team will review your remaining treatment fee, orthodontic insurance benefits, payment options, and any applicable transfer patient courtesy.
What Records Should I Request From My Previous Orthodontist?
If possible, ask your previous orthodontic office to provide copies of your orthodontic records.
Helpful records may include:
- Initial and recent photographs
- Dental or orthodontic X-rays
- Digital scans or models
- Treatment notes
- Your original treatment plan
- Information about your current braces or appliance system
- Invisalign® or clear aligner information
- Surgical or specialist records when applicable
Do not worry if you have not received these records yet.
You may still schedule a consultation with our office. Our team can help you understand which records would be most useful and how to request them.
Do I Need a Referral to Transfer Orthodontists?
No. You do not need a referral from your dentist or previous orthodontist to schedule a transfer consultation with Godley Family Orthodontics. Patients and families may contact our team directly to schedule, or reserve an evaluation online when it is convenient for you.
Can Children Transfer Phase I Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes! We evaluate children transferring during Phase I or early orthodontic treatment, including patients using palatal expanders, growth-guidance appliances, braces, or other orthodontic appliances.
Because children may still be actively growing, our orthodontists will evaluate both tooth development and jaw growth before recommending how treatment should continue.
Can an Orthodontic Expander or Appliance Be Transferred?
Yes! We routinely evaluate patients with orthodontic appliances such as RPE, MSE, MARPE, MASPE, and other types of palatal expanders. Our orthodontists are also experienced in growth appliances such as Herbst, MARA, and Twin Block, as well as bite correcting appliances, space maintainers, braces, clear aligners, and retainers.
Whether an existing appliance can continue to be used depends on its design, fit, condition, treatment purpose, and the patient’s current orthodontic needs.
What If I’m Moving From Another State?
We regularly welcome patients moving to Indiana from other states. If you know you will be relocating, it can be helpful to contact your current orthodontist before the move and request your records.
Whenever possible, we also recommend scheduling your transfer consultation shortly after arriving so there is not an unnecessary interruption in your orthodontic care.
What If I’m Moving From Another Country?
Patients transferring from outside the United States may also schedule a consultation. Orthodontic materials, bracket systems, aligner systems, records, and treatment methods may vary between countries, so our orthodontists will carefully evaluate your current treatment before recommending how to proceed. Additional records or treatment modifications may sometimes be necessary.
What If My Previous Orthodontist Uses Different Braces?
This is common. There are many orthodontic bracket systems, wire systems, prescriptions, and manufacturers. In some cases, we may be able to work with your existing appliances. In others, replacing certain brackets or transitioning to a different system may provide better control or make treatment more predictable. Dr. Godley or Dr. Bradley will explain any recommended changes and why they may be beneficial.
What If I’ve Already Paid My Previous Orthodontist in Full?
Your financial agreement with your previous orthodontic office is separate from treatment provided at Godley Family Orthodontics or any other orthodontist.
If you have questions about refunds, remaining balances, or financial arrangements with your previous provider, those questions should be addressed directly with that practice.
Our office will determine your fee based on the treatment that remains after we evaluate you. We will also review any available orthodontic insurance benefits and applicable transfer patient courtesy.
What Happens to Orthodontic Insurance When I Transfer?
Orthodontic insurance can be different from general dental insurance. Many plans provide a lifetime orthodontic benefit rather than a new benefit for each orthodontist. This means benefits already paid toward your previous treatment may affect the amount remaining for treatment at our office.
Our team can help review your orthodontic benefits and estimate what may remain available. Final insurance payment is always determined by your insurance carrier.
Will My Orthodontic Treatment Take Longer Because I Transfer?
Not necessarily. Your remaining treatment time will depend on your current progress, tooth positions, bite, treatment goals, appliance system, and whether any changes to your treatment plan are needed.
Our orthodontists will provide an estimated remaining treatment time after evaluating you.
New to Zionsville or Central Indiana? Welcome!
If you are relocating to Zionsville, Carmel, Whitestown, Westfield, Lebanon, Indianapolis, or another nearby Central Indiana community, our orthodontic team would be happy to help make one part of your move easier!
Our family-owned orthodontic practice provides personalized care for children, teens, and adults, with doctor time built into every visit.
If you are currently in braces, aligners, or another orthodontic appliance, schedule a complimentary transfer consultation to learn how we can help you continue treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Orthodontic Care
Yes. Patients commonly transfer orthodontists because of relocation, family changes, school, work, or other circumstances. Your new orthodontist will evaluate your current treatment and determine how best to continue.
Usually not. In many cases, patients transfer while their existing braces are still in place. Your orthodontist will determine whether those appliances can be continued or whether any changes are recommended.
Potentially. The new orthodontist will need to evaluate your current progress, aligner system, remaining treatment needs, and records before determining whether your existing aligners can continue or a new treatment plan is needed.
Not necessarily. The goal is usually to build upon the treatment already completed. However, modifications may sometimes be recommended depending on your current tooth positions, bite, appliances, and treatment goals.
The cost varies depending on how much treatment remains and whether any appliances need to be replaced or modified. Godley Family Orthodontics provides a clear remaining treatment fee following your complimentary evaluation and offers a Transfer Patient Courtesy for qualifying patients.
When helpful and with appropriate authorization, our office can review records and information from your previous orthodontist as part of the transfer process. The goal is to understand your previous treatment while independently evaluating what will provide the most appropriate care moving forward.
Yes. Godley Family Orthodontics welcomes patients relocating to Zionsville and surrounding Central Indiana communities from other states.
Yes. Our orthodontists can evaluate treatment that was started internationally and recommend the best way to continue care.
Written and reviewed by Dr. Danielle N. Godley, DDS, MS, Board Certified Orthodontist, and Dr. Sydney Bradley, DDS, MSD, Board Certified Orthodontist. Last reviewed September 2026.
