New to Carrollton and already in braces or aligners?
People move to Carrollton from all over: other Texas cities, out of state, and a lot of families from Korea. Treatment doesn't pause for a move, so here's how to keep it on track.
By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS · Board-certified orthodontist · Reviewed October 2026Get your records from the old orthodontist before you leave, book a consultation here soon after you arrive, and bring your old contract. The new office reviews where you are, then quotes the treatment that's left. Orthodontists do this regularly. The main thing to avoid is a long stretch with no one checking your teeth.
Before you leave: the records request
Ask the current office for copies of these. Digital copies are easiest, and most offices can email them.
- X-rays, including the starting panoramic and ceph if they have them
- Starting and current photos
- Digital scans, or the aligner treatment plan if you're in aligners
- Treatment notes and the name of the bracket or aligner system
- Your contract and payment history
Why the contract matters: many contracts say what happens if you move, including whether part of your fee is refunded or credited. Read that section before you assume you're paying twice.
Moving from Korea
Families moving from Korea often arrive with a USB drive or an email full of files. Bring all of it. Notes written in Korean aren't a problem at Elate: Dr. Julia Kang trained first at Seoul National University and reads them herself. She can also go over the plan with you in Korean. More about Dr. Kang.
Two things to sort out early: aligner systems differ by country, so ask your Korean office which system you're using and whether they can send the digital plan. And if you prepaid treatment in Korea, keep the receipt and the contract terms. You'll want them for the conversation about the remaining fee.
After you arrive
If you're in braces, try not to go much past your normal adjustment interval. Wires keep working for a while, but nobody is watching for broken brackets or teeth moving the wrong way. If you're in aligners, keep wearing your current tray and don't skip ahead unless an orthodontist tells you to.
At the consultation, the orthodontist looks at your records and your teeth, explains whether they'd keep the same plan or adjust it, and gives you a fee for what remains. Brackets sometimes get swapped for the new office's system. That's normal and doesn't mean anything went wrong before.
Insurance after a job change
A move often comes with new insurance. Orthodontic coverage is usually a lifetime maximum per person, and some plans won't cover treatment that started under a previous plan. Bring the new card to your first visit so the team can check what applies. More on cost and insurance.
A few Carrollton basics.
DART and the A-train
The Green Line stops at Downtown Carrollton, Trinity Mills, and North Carrollton/Frankford. The Silver Line reached Downtown Carrollton in October 2025.
Common questions
Can I transfer my braces to a new orthodontist after moving?
Yes. Orthodontists take transfer patients regularly. The new orthodontist reviews your records and current progress, then explains the plan and fee for the remaining treatment.
What records should I get from my old orthodontist?
Ask for your X-rays, photos, digital scans, treatment notes, the name of the appliance or aligner system, and your contract with the payment history.
I am moving from Korea mid-treatment. Can I continue here?
Usually, yes. Bring your records, ideally digital. Dr. Kang reads Korean, so records written in Korean are not a problem at Elate.
Talk to an orthodontist near Carrollton.
The first visit at Elate Orthodontics is free, in English or Korean. Scans, an exam with the doctor, and exact pricing.