Orthodontist Serving Ballard, Seattle, WA

Searching for an orthodontist near Ballard, Seattle, WA? Riolo Orthodontics provides lingual braces, Invisalign, and advanced esthetic orthodontic care. At Riolo Orthodontics, we specialize in advanced esthetic orthodontic services for adults, teens, and children. With 25+ years of experience, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christopher Riolo combines cutting-edge digital technology with a focus on truly invisible treatment to create healthy, confident smiles.

From lingual braces placed behind the teeth to 3D-printed LightForce ceramic brackets and clear aligners, we provide orthodontic care designed for comfort, esthetics, and long-lasting function. Patients trust our team for transparent communication, personalized treatment planning, and an experience tailored to their lifestyle.

  • Board-certified orthodontic specialist: Dr. Christopher Riolo is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a nationally recognized expert in esthetic and lingual orthodontics.
  • Leader in invisible treatment: One of North America’s most experienced providers of lingual braces, offering truly hidden orthodontic care.
  • Advanced digital technology: 3D imaging, digital scanning, and fully customized appliance systems support accuracy, comfort, and predictable results.
  • Comfort-focused, patient-centered care: Patients appreciate a welcoming environment and a team dedicated to clarity, compassion, and quality outcomes.
  • A long-standing Seattle orthodontic leader: Dr. Riolo has built a strong regional reputation for delivering esthetic, high-precision orthodontic care.
  • Orthodontics for all ages: Treatment plans are tailored for children, teens, and adults who want esthetic, functional results.

Convenient Access for Ballard Families via 15th Ave NW

Riolo Orthodontics is a premier choice for families and professionals in the vibrant Ballard community! While our office is located at 509 Olive Way, we provide a sophisticated and highly accessible orthodontic home for our neighbors in the 98107 and 98117 ZIP codes. The commute from Ballard is remarkably efficient, typically taking about 15 to 20 minutes by heading south on 15th Ave NW and crossing the Ballard Bridge to enter the downtown core.

Our location on Floor 1 of Pacific Place is perfectly situated for those who want to balance world-class orthodontic care with their urban lifestyle. Whether you are a student at Ballard High School, a busy professional coming from a workspace near the Ballard Locks, or a family heading downtown after a morning at Golden Gardens Park, our office offers a seamless transition. With direct access to the Westlake transit hub and plenty of nearby parking, we make it easy for our Ballard neighbors to access the expert, personalized care they deserve.

Meet Our Board-Certified Orthodontist

Dr. Christopher Riolo

Dr. Christopher Riolo is a board-certified orthodontist known for his expertise in esthetic and discreet orthodontic treatment. His experience with lingual braces, interdisciplinary care, and advanced digital technology allows him to create highly personalized results.

He blends clinical precision with modern tools to design treatment plans tailored to each patient’s goals, lifestyle, and long-term oral health.

  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery – University of Michigan School of Dentistry
  • Orthodontic Specialty Certificate and Master of Science in Orthodontics – University of Detroit Mercy
  • Ph.D. in Public Health (Epidemiology) – University of Michigan
  • Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
  • Affiliate Associate Professor – Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington
  • Member of American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO), Washington State Society of Orthodontists (WSSO), Angle Society (EHASO Northwest Component), European Society of Lingual Orthodontists (ESLO), American Lingual Orthodontics Association (ALOA)

Awards & Certifications

American Board of Orthodontics Logo Riolo Orthodontics in Seattle, WA
Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO)
American Association of Orthodontics Logo Riolo Orthodontics in Seattle, WA
Member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
Invisalign Provider Logo Riolo Orthodontics in Seattle, WA
Certified Invisalign Provider Serving Seattle
Seattle Met Top Dentist – Recognized for Clinical Excellence

What Financing and Insurance Options Do We Offer?

Orthodontic care is an investment in your smile, and at Riolo Orthodontics, we make it easier to manage with flexible, transparent payment options. We offer complimentary consultations, interest-free in-house financing, and customized payment plans tailored to your treatment timeline. Patients can also take advantage of pay-in-full discounts and savings for families beginning treatment together.

Additional options include CareCredit financing, convenient automatic monthly payments, and flexible arrangements to fit your budget. Our team reviews all costs and coordinates your insurance benefits during your consultation so you have a clear understanding before starting treatment.

Riolo Orthodontics in Seattle, WA

What Orthodontic Treatments Are Available?

We provide advanced, esthetic orthodontic treatments designed to complement your lifestyle while achieving accurate, long-lasting results.

Lingual Braces

Custom brackets and wires are placed behind the teeth to gradually move teeth into alignment, providing effective correction with a completely hidden appearance.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Clear, removable aligners are used to gradually move teeth into alignment, offering a discreet and flexible solution for everyday wear and routine activities.

Lightforce Braces

3D-printed, fully customized ceramic brackets are used to gradually move teeth into alignment, improving precision, comfort, and overall treatment efficiency.

Early Orthodontics

Growth-guided treatment is used to gradually guide jaw development and tooth alignment, helping address concerns early and support long-term oral health.

Teen Orthodontics

Customized orthodontic treatment is used to gradually correct alignment and bite concerns, supporting proper development and creating a balanced, healthy smile.

Adult Orthodontics

Advanced orthodontic treatment is used to gradually improve alignment, bite function, and smile aesthetics, delivering comfortable and long-lasting results.

Before & After Gallery

See the Smile Transformations
Choosing orthodontic care near Ballard often involves finding a provider that fits your routine and location. Here are some questions patients in the Ballard area commonly ask.

Read What Our Happy Patients Have to Say!

Dr Riolo is the best orthodontist, hands down, I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and I’ve been to at least 3 different orthodontists with different treatments over many years. I had lingual braces, which I never tried before, but they worked great and nobody ever knew I had them. Dr Riolo doesn’t try to overengineer things, he listens to feedback, and uses the latest technology to really get down to the micro-adjustment level and takes the time to get things absolutely perfect. His staff is awesome too, very kind, very thorough, and extremely knowledgeable. Don’t go anywhere else. Your search is done!
Dr. Riolo and his staff have been great. I wasn’t too interested in getting braces at 50, but after talking with them about their inside braces, I decided to go for it. The first few weeks took a little getting used to, but after that you completely forget they’re there—and the fact that no one can even tell you have them is pretty amazing. I highly recommend Riolo Orthodontics. They’ve been extremely prompt and professional throughout the whole process
My permanent retainer broke at 10:30pm one evening. I am not a client of Mr. Riolo but I found his practice on google, his website mentioned a 24/7 emergency email. I sent him an email because my usual orthodontist is from an entirely different city, closed on weekends, and would take days to get me in, but I urgently needed somebody to remove the loose 1-inch wire hanging in my gums. Sure enough, I received an email from Mr. Riolo at 11:00pm on a Saturday, offering to get me in the next morning. I was in his practice the next morning getting the retainer removed and the concrete cleaned off my teeth. In genuinely one of the nicest things somebody has done for me, Mr. Riolo then told me I did not owe him anything. As of writing this I am in the process of moving which has not been cheap at all and I was very worried about the bill an emergency orthodontics service would cost me. To say I was shocked at being charged nothing is too little. I cannot recommend his practice enough. I also wish to thank the woman who assisted during this, at the same early morning time, I apologize for not remembering your name.
I had an exceptional experience with Dr. Riolo and his entire team. From the very beginning, his expertise and forward-thinking approach truly set him apart—especially in recommending lingual braces. Throughout the entire process, no one could tell I was wearing braces, which was incredibly important to me and speaks to the level of precision and care in his work. Beyond the discreet treatment, the results were outstanding. Dr. Riolo and his team did an incredible job aligning my teeth, and I could not be happier with the outcome. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to excellence made the entire experience seamless and reassuring. What makes this practice even more special is the people. Dr. Riolo and his team are not only highly skilled, but genuinely kind, welcoming, and attentive. They create an environment where you feel cared for and supported every step of the way. My sister also had her braces done here and had an equally positive experience. It’s clear that they consistently go above and beyond for their patients. We are both extremely satisfied with the quality of care and results we received. I highly recommend Dr. Riolo for anyone considering orthodontic treatment—he is truly among the best in the field.
Dr. Riolo is the best in Washington state, he explains every single detail and all your questions you have regarding braces. He is super sweet and funny, you won't go wrong going here. The best!!
Dr. Riolo went above and beyond for me and really did a great job. I had a difficult adult case with bite issues and possible jaw surgery. Dr. Riolo worked with me and my dentist over the course of three years and helped me avoid having jaw surgery and ultimately I arrived at an outcome that I am very happy with. During this process, I was able to do all of my treatment using lingual braces and aligners, and because of that, I never had to worry about having any appearance issues while going through treatment. I would highly recommend Dr. Riolo. A+++
Friendly staff, fast and efficient process, my teeth turned out great from the Invisalign
I was referred to Dr. Riolo to help deal with alignment issues that caused serious wear and tear on my teeth. He got me set up with “lingual braces” (behind the teeth) to fix the problem. No one could even tell I had braces! More importantly, he was very responsive to questions and appointments, did high quality work, and got my underlying issue resolved ahead of schedule. I highly recommend his office.
Being hesitant and also anxious to get braces as a 47 year old, Dr Riolo made the decision so easy for me. Its been a pleasure working with him and perfecting my smile. His staff is always very nice and very good at their jobs. I would recommend him to absolutely anyone needing Orthodontics.
As someone who was committed to getting lingual braces, my research made it clear that Dr. Riolo is the foremost expert in Seattle. His name came highly recommended from a couple of my UW friends, and after checking out his website and seeing the convenient location, I knew I had found the right place. Now, at the very end of my two-year treatment, I can confidently say that every bit of hype is absolutely deserved. From the moment you walk in, the staff is so welcoming and kind. It actually made me look forward to my visits (which is saying a lot for orthodontist appointments!). A special shout-out is absolutely necessary for Marlon, who was always there to help me with anything I needed, always with a smile and incredible patience. Thank you, Marlon! Now, for Dr. Riolo himself: he is a true artist and a perfectionist. The lingual braces were the perfect choice—all the power of traditional braces to fix serious alignment issues, but completely invisible. For me, it was a better fit than Invisalign, and I didn’t have to worry about the discipline of trays! Dr. Riolo is incredibly attentive to detail; he wasn't just moving teeth, he was crafting a perfect bite and a beautiful smile line. Every adjustment was precise and thoughtful. He is also wonderfully patient. We spent a lot of time on aftercare planning, and he was super helpful with referrals for a local dentist to make sure everything was coordinated including the extraction plan and everything. I also had a timeline I was hoping to meet, and he was so accommodated to. doc meticulously planned my treatment to expedite things where he safely could, which I am so grateful for. You are in the best hands here. The entire team is professional, warm, and brilliant. If you're considering orthodontic work, look no further than Riolo Orthodontics. Thank you for my new smile! P.S. Dr. Riolo – Go Blue! 〽️ It was so fun to discover our UMich connection!

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing orthodontic care across central Seattle neighborhoods often means finding a provider that balances accessibility, advanced treatment options, and long-term results. Here are some questions patients commonly consider.

Yes. Our Seattle location is easily accessible from Ballard, making it simple to attend appointments without long travel times.

Yes. We offer flexible scheduling options to help patients balance orthodontic care with busy work and school routines.

Yes. Many patients choose lingual braces or clear aligners for a more subtle appearance during treatment.

Appointment frequency depends on your treatment plan, but visits are typically spaced out to minimize disruption to your schedule.

Our combination of advanced technology, personalized care, and experience with esthetic treatment makes us a trusted option for patients in the area.