SEO for Orthodontists: Guide to Attract More Patients

SEO
June 27, 2025
11 mins
seo for orthodontists
Content

SEO for orthodontists isn’t just about ranking on Google — it’s about making sure the right people find you at the right time. 

Imagine a parent searching late at night for “braces for teens in Austin” or a young professional comparing Invisalign options on their lunch break. 

If your practice doesn’t show up, someone else gets the call. This guide breaks down how SEO can quietly, but powerfully, bring more patients to your door — without relying on billboards or constant ad spend.

Key SEO Benefits for Orthodontists

Ignoring SEO means missing out on patients who are actively searching for your services. Here’s why SEO is crucial for orthodontic practices today:

  • Attracts high-intent local patients
    Local SEO helps your clinic appear in searches like “orthodontist near me” or “[city] braces specialist,” bringing in people who are already ready to book.

  • Builds trust and credibility online
    Appearing in Google’s top results sends a signal of professionalism. Reviews, Google Maps presence, and educational content further reinforce your authority.

  • Improves website experience and usability
    Good SEO strategy goes hand in hand with fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and user-focused websites — which patients love and Google rewards.

  • Generates long-term ROI
    Unlike paid ads, SEO delivers compounding returns. Once you rank well, your visibility and lead flow can remain stable with consistent optimization.

  • Supports other marketing efforts
    SEO content can fuel your email marketing, social media, and paid ads — making your entire marketing ecosystem more efficient.
Not Showing Up in Local Search?
We’ll fix that. Our Local SEO experts know how to put your dental clinic on the map — literally.


SEO Tips for Orthodontists to Get More Clients

If you want your orthodontic practice to grow, SEO for doctors isn’t just a box to check — it’s a system you build. From local keywords to patient trust signals, here are the essential elements of a successful SEO for orthodontists strategy tailored for orthodontists.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

​​Be discoverable where people search first!


Picture this: a mom searches “braces for teens near me” on her phone between errands. Google shows her three local clinics — yours included. What decides whether she clicks?

Your Google Business Profile.

Here’s how to make it irresistible:

  • Upload real, high-quality photos — not just your logo, but your waiting room, happy patients (with consent), and your staff at work.
  • Write a compelling business description using terms like “Invisalign-certified orthodontist in [city]” to match common search terms.
  • Respond to every review — yes, even the tricky ones — with empathy and professionalism.
  • Use the “Updates” feature to post about seasonal promos, new technology, or success stories.

Google wants users to have a great local experience. A complete, engaged profile signals you’re the real deal — and earns you top placement in the local pack.

Example of Local SEO Pack for Orthodontists

Use Local SEO Keywords on Every Page

Because no one searches “orthodontist planet Earth”

Patients search locally. They don’t want to scroll through listings from another city or state — they want help around the corner. That’s why local SEO keywords must appear on every relevant page.

Go beyond just dropping “orthodontist in [city]” in a headline. Think like your patients:

  • “Affordable braces near [neighborhood]”
  • “Invisalign for adults in [city]”
  • “Orthodontic consultation [suburb] open Saturdays”

Where to place these keywords:

  • Page titles and H1s
  • Meta descriptions (keep it persuasive!)
  • Image filenames and alt-text (e.g., retainers-for-teens-brooklyn.jpg)
  • FAQ sections, naturally woven into answers

If your content doesn’t talk the way your patients search, you’re invisible — even with a beautiful website.

Also find out 8 ways how to get more dental patients


Improve Technical SEO: Speed, Mobile, Schema

Even the most polished site can fail search engine optimization for orthodontists if it loads slowly or breaks on mobile. Technical SEO is your behind-the-scenes engine — and Google does lift the hood.

What to focus on:

  • Speed: Compress images, eliminate bloated plugins, and use lazy loading for videos.
  • Mobile usability: Use large tap targets, readable fonts, and vertical content flow.
  • Structured data (Schema): Add LocalBusiness, MedicalClinic, and Review markup so search engines display your address, hours, and ratings directly in results.

Bonus tip:
Structure matters. Your site should follow a clear hierarchy:

  • /services/invisalign/
  • /services/braces/
  • /about/team/
  • /contact/

Each URL and page should answer one question and lead naturally to the next step — like a treatment plan for your content.

Build Trust with E-E-A-T Principles

You can’t fake expertise — but you can showcase it brilliantly


Google uses E-E-A-T — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust — to assess whether your site deserves to rank. Patients use the same gut check.

Here’s what boosts your E-E-A-T score and actually builds patient trust:

  • Doctor bios with credentials and friendly, professional photos
example of doctor bios with credentials

  • Proof of certifications (Invisalign, ABO) and membership in ADA, AAO or other associations
Proof of certifications

  • Patient testimonials with names — nothing builds credibility like a real story
Patient testimonials example

  • Mentions in media, podcasts, or expert blogs
  • A blog authored by named orthodontists, not “admin”. Do not forget to create authors pages for them. 
  • Guest posts on respected dental or healthcare sites, linking back to your content

👉 Pro tip: Create a visual "trust slider" on your homepage with media logos, badges, and happy patient snapshots. Think of it like your digital diploma wall.

​​
Create Educational and SEO-Friendly Content

Patients don’t want jargon. They want answers.


Before they ever pick up the phone, today’s patients Google everything. That’s your golden window to build rapport through valuable content marketing — before they even meet you.

Start with a blog or learning hub that addresses real-life questions. Source them from:

  • TikTok comment sections (search “braces journey”)
  • Instagram DMs
  • What your front desk hears every day
  • Google’s “People Also Ask” and autocomplete suggestions

Create:

  • Detailed blog posts (e.g., “Invisalign vs. Braces: Which is Better for Adults?”)
  • Bite-sized FAQ pages per topic
  • Dedicated service pages with unique content for each offering
  • Short videos embedded on your site (especially for mobile)
  • TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube accounts with educational content


Build Authoritative Backlinks

Links are votes of confidence — get them from the right crowd


In Google’s eyes, every quality backlink is like a professional referral. But not all links are created equal. You want links from relevant, trustworthy sites — not spammy directories or shady blogs.

Here’s how to find high-value link opportunities:

  • Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze competitors
  • Sort their backlinks by domain authority or spam score
  • Reach out to local media, dental associations, school newsletters, or charity events you sponsor
  • Offer to write expert guest posts or do interviews on oral health

This approach also helps clean up your backlink profile: drop low-quality links and focus on the best. Quality over quantity — always. Take a look at one of our SEO case studies, where we describe the impact of cleaning a client's backlink profile. 

seo case study

What Works (and What Doesn’t) in Orthodontists SEO

Strategy SEO Impact Worth Doing? Why It Matters
Google Business Profile optimization 🔥 Very High ✅ 100% Yes Boosts visibility in Google Maps and mobile search
Using generic, broad keywords 🧊 Low ❌ Skip it Competes globally, doesn’t target patient intent
Site speed and mobile responsiveness 🚀 Very High ✅ Absolutely Directly affects rankings and user experience
Stuffing pages with awkward keywords 🔻 Negative ❌ Avoid Looks unnatural and may trigger penalties
Real patient reviews with photo/video 🌟 High ✅ Yes Builds credibility and trust at a glance
Buying cheap, irrelevant backlinks ⚠️ Risky ❌ Never worth it Can trigger manual actions or penalties
Showcasing doctor credentials and associations 📚 Moderate–High ✅ Smart move Reinforces trust for both users and search engines
Copying content from other orthodontists ❌ Ineffective ❌ Don’t do it Duplicated content doesn’t rank — or build authority
Earning links from local, relevant publications 🔗 Very High ✅ Gold standard Boosts domain authority and local relevance

Ready to turn your website into your #1 patient acquisition channel with SEO for orthodontists doctors? 
👉 Let’s talk about how to build a results-driven SEO strategy tailored to your clinic.
Get in touch!


Get Professional SEO Help

Select a team that understands how to effectively grow healthcare brands online and optimize SEO for orthodontics.

At Promodo, we don’t just “do SEO” — we create and launch strategies that connect practices with real patients. With over 20 years of experience and deep expertise in search engine optimization for orthodontists, we understand the specific challenges they face: local competition, strict regulations, and the need to build trust fast.

What sets us apart:

  • Industry-specific expertise — we’ve helped dental and medical clients grow sustainably with tailored SEO strategies
  • Data-first approach — every decision we make is backed by research, search intent analysis, and performance metrics
  • Full-funnel thinking — from search to site structure to conversions, we align SEO with your business goals

Clear, proactive communication — you’ll always know what’s being done and why.

Let’s turn your website into your most powerful patient acquisition channel.
Reach out to explore how we can grow your clinic together.
Written by
Olesia Holovko

Team Lead of Content for promodo.com

I’m a content marketing manager with over 9 years of experience in business writing. Currently, I lead the content team at promodo.com, where I focus on creating useful, well-researched content that supports marketing goals and helps businesses grow.

I enjoy working with data, expert opinions, and real insights to craft content that’s both relevant and easy to understand. I also have a solid background in SEO — I completed the Search Engine Optimization Course at Promodo Academy, which gave me hands-on skills in keyword research, content optimization, and improving visibility in search engines.

Whether it’s an article, blog post, or case study, I aim to make sure the content is clear, helpful, and aligned with both user needs and business objectives.

Published:
June 27, 2025
Updated:
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