Orthodontist Serving South Lake Union, Seattle, WA

Searching for a trusted orthodontist serving South Lake Union, Seattle, WA? At Riolo Orthodontics, we specialize in advanced esthetic orthodontic solutions for adults, teens, and children. With more than 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 offer 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 South Lake Union Residents via the Streetcar

Riolo Orthodontics is the premier choice for professionals and residents in the innovative South Lake Union (SLU) neighborhood! While our office is located at 509 Olive Way, we are essentially a next-door neighbor for those in the 98109 ZIP code. The commute is incredibly efficient; you can reach us in under 10 minutes via Westlake Avenue, or better yet, hop on the South Lake Union Streetcar, which drops you off just steps from our door at the Westlake & Olive stop.

Our location on Floor 1 of Pacific Place is perfectly situated for the modern urbanite. Whether you are popping out of the Amazon or Google headquarters for a quick lunch-hour adjustment or heading downtown after a morning workout at Lake Union Park, our office fits seamlessly into your workday. With our direct connection to the Westlake transit hub, we provide our South Lake Union neighbors with the most convenient, expert orthodontic care in the city.

Meet Our Board-Certified Orthodontist

Dr. Christopher Riolo

Dr. Christopher Riolo is a board-certified orthodontist and nationally recognized leader in esthetic and invisible orthodontic treatment. His expertise in lingual braces, interdisciplinary care, and digital systems allows him to deliver highly customized results for each patient.

He combines advanced clinical training with modern technology to create treatment plans tailored to your 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 focus on advanced, esthetic orthodontic solutions designed to fit your lifestyle while delivering precise, long-term results.

Lingual Braces

Custom brackets and wires are placed behind the teeth, providing powerful correction with treatment that stays hidden from view.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Nearly invisible removable trays that gradually shift teeth into place while allowing you to eat, brush, and smile comfortably.

Lightforce Braces

Fully customized 3D-printed brackets that offer precise, efficient treatment with a more discreet appearance.

Early Orthodontics

Growth-guided care for children that helps address developing issues early and supports long-term bite and smile health.

Teen Orthodontics

Flexible esthetic options designed for active teens, balancing confidence, comfort, and effective tooth movement.

Adult Orthodontics

Discreet solutions such as lingual braces and clear aligners tailored to adult schedules, esthetic goals, and functional needs.

Before & After Gallery

See the Smile Transformations
Explore how advanced orthodontic treatment can enhance both appearance and function. Each case reflects careful planning, digital precision, and personalized care.

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 near South Lake Union often involves balancing convenience, technology, and treatment style. Here are some questions patients commonly consider.

Yes. Options like lingual braces and clear aligners are designed to remain discreet while delivering effective results in professional settings.

Our downtown location allows patients to schedule appointments around work hours, making it easy to stop in before, during, or after the workday.

Digital scanning and customized appliances improve precision, helping ensure predictable tooth movement and efficient results.

Lingual braces remain hidden behind the teeth, offering effective correction without affecting your appearance.

Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation, discussion of treatment options, and a personalized plan tailored to your goals.