Amazing high quality structural braces and they provide a long list of stuff you cannot eat with your braces

Summary: Dr. Cobain provided initial Invisalign treatment with multiple limitations (limitations that I later found out aren't inherent to Invisalign) and left my front teeth angled inwards. Another orthodontist later fixed the angle of my teeth and provided results I found far superior. Post-treatment, Dr. Cobain dismissed valid symptoms as stress and sensitivity, sent me back with ill-fitting retainers, and failed to identify a bite interference that another orthodontist caught. Dr. Cobain has strong online reviews and comes across as confident, which is partly why I trusted him for longer than I should have. I'm sharing my experience so that others can make an informed decision. What I mention below is documented in appointment records and emails (I've attached photos of some of these records as part of my review). The original treatment: During my initial consultation, Cobain Orthodontics gave me a form noting that my treatment would have multiple limitations including "angle" and "detailed alignment." The paperwork stated that Dr. Cobain doesn't recommend Invisalign over braces, that "if you choose to move forward with Invisalign the result will not be ideal," and that patients may require braces at additional cost to get a better result. Based on this, I believed that Invisalign would have limitations regardless of which orthodontist provided the treatment. Despite the limitations, Dr. Cobain still charged what I considered a significant amount. I was very disappointed by the result: my teeth remained uneven and looked tilted even after treatment. I later got revision treatment and had multiple consultations before choosing a provider; every single other orthodontist I spoke with told me Invisalign can fix tooth angle -- something Dr. Cobain had listed as a limitation. My new orthodontist reviewed my records & photos from Dr. Cobain and identified multiple flaws. After revised treatment, I found my smile and teeth to be much more even and streamlined (comparison photo included). Orthodontic treatment is expensive and affects bite comfort, smile, and even facial symmetry. The provider's skill makes a huge difference; since consultations are generally free, I'd encourage others to meet multiple providers before choosing one. In my case, the detailed alignment I wanted was possible with Invisalign once I switched to a different doctor. Post-treatment: After not wearing my retainers for a while, I felt pain when putting them on again. I went to Dr. Cobain a couple of times, and he attributed my concerns to stress and clenching and told me to continue with the same retainers. I trusted a doctor's judgment and kept wearing the retainers despite the pain. I reached a point when the pain worsened and I could no longer bite down normally. I realized the problem was not stress but the retainers. I returned to Cobain Orthodontics urgently seeking care. I told Dr. Cobain that my teeth had shifted and showed him how my retainers wouldn't fully seat. He told me to bite down on the retainers. I told him that this caused intense pain. He said the problem was my "sensitivity." I told him I was having severe bite issues that left me unable to sleep. He attributed this to stress. I asked, repeatedly, if I could pay for orthodontic treatment. He refused, saying there was no indication further treatment was needed. I asked if we could at least take orthodontic photographs to clarify where my teeth were shifting. He declined that too. I got a second opinion from a different orthodontist, who quickly identified that the retainers weren't safe to wear. The pain that I'd been experiencing? It was because the ill-fitting retainers had been putting intense, misplaced pressure on my teeth, especially my left canine; this canine angled inward so severely that it made premature contact with the lower tooth in a way that it prevented the rest of my bite from closing; at its most severe it left me unable to sleep for multiple nights because each time I relaxed my jaw, the tooth hit in a way that jolted me awake with pain. The other orthodontist identified this as an occlusal interference -- different from a regular hard-hitting tooth; it wasn't due to normal tooth shifting but instead due to forced movement from the ill-fitting retainers, and I needed further treatment to correct it. I got new retainers from another provider and transferred my case. When I sent orthodontic photographs documenting what had happened to my teeth, Cobain Orthodontics switched from claiming that I had problems tolerating retainers to stating in an email that they had "no record of any reported issues or pain post treatment for 18 months while wearing retainers" -- a statement that contradicts their notes and email correspondence. I really wish I had chosen a different provider from the start. read more

See all

This orthodontist is just awful. Gave me tons of empty promises, provided with misleading information about my case, did not document all the teeth manipulations and I feel was just pushing me to more expensive treatment. Based on my perception he is either incompetent or was just acting in the bad faith. Another story most of the work was done by his assistant who are treating your teeth like you a couple more extra sets in advance. When they were removing my braces they detached a front layer of my enamel which is just terrible. I honestly would not recommend this doctor to my worst enemy. Ah, last but not least - take a look how many yelp reviews are marked as not recommended - there is a probability they are using unfair/fake reviews to keep the rating high. read more

See all

Dr. Cobain is the absolute GOAT. I had gotten a crown recently (nighttime retainer no longer fit) and I went in for a consultation thinking by the end of the appointment I'd have to pay an arm and a leg for a new Invisalign retainer. However, Dr. Cobain looked at my old one and adjusted it in about 2 minutes, making sure it felt comfortable for me. Perfect. Super thankful to Dr. Cobain and Dana for their kindness and efficiency. I'll be back when I'm ready for the Invisalign! Also the interior office space is very cute, great for kids who may be hesitant about dental/ortho visits. read more

We highly recommend Dr. Cobain and his team for your orthodontic needs! We were referred to Dr. Cobain from my daughter's dentist. My daughter ended up needing an expander and braces, and we just completed phase 1. We are now on a retainer until we begin phase 2. Dr. Cobain and his team are very professional. Also, their attention to detail is excellent. You can tell Dr. Cobain takes pride in his work, which is comforting to know that your child will end up with beautiful looking teeth and a great smile. Also, some of my daughter's friends got braces from orthodontists and us parents would often compare notes. It really seemed like our experience was much smoother and Dr. Cobain's attention to detail really showed. Also, his staff is all very friendly and would give us so many helpful tips along the way including recommendations for mouthwashes to limit canker sores, etc. All of these efforts really helped my daughter (and us parents) navigate braces and made our experience go by so fast! Thank you Dr. Cobain and team for a wonderful and smooth experience! read more

We cannot say enough great things about Dr. Cobain and his whole office. Not just from the moment you walk into the office with a great energy, their detailed and personal care for each child is what sets them apart. I wish we would have started my daughters care from the beginning, as she walked out of her consult so amazed at the difference from her prior orthodontist. She is now on the right path and we all feel better about the care the family is getting. Thank goodness my son started with this team and already sees progress. If you are looking for an orthodontist office who cares about everyone, clear about the options for care and just kind people, you have found it with Cobain Orthodontics! They also giveback to our community and that is another BIG win! read more

Dr Cobain and the team made my cousin's orthodontic treatment smooth and successful, and their detailed explanation of my aunt's diagnosis showed real expertise and care. Excellent care from start to finish! read more

My children have been patient of Dr. Cobain for the last few years and we have been very pleased with our care. Dr. Cobain is a knowledgeable orthodontist and he has a wonderful staff who always are friendly, organized and very efficient. In particular, I appreciate that they were very good about staying on schedule. Dr. Cobain has a lot of experience and a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. He also has a great bedside manner and reassuring demeanor, which made which made the visit comfortable for my kids. I highly recommend Dr. Cobain and his team to anyone who is looking for orthodontic care! read more

My kids love going to Cobain. The staff are so warm & friendly. The office's beach theme is vibrant and inviting. My son loves Dr. Cobain's French Bulldogs. He looks forward to seeing them at his appointments. Highly recommend!! read more

I love looking at the mirror with my new teeth. Dr. cobain team did an amazing job on my teeth and I am so happy for choosing them to do my orthodontics. The team were very responsive and nice to work with. read more

I am wrapping up my Invisalign treatment with Dr. Cobain and I've been very pleased with the experience. I am an adult patient who had very minor orthodontic work as a child. As an adult, my teeth started to shift (a common occurrence, apparently) and I wanted to get it all straightened out so I could maintain that moving forward. From the first visit, Dr. Cobain and staff were very thorough and straightforward. I had clear expectations about what I could expect in terms of treatment and what the variables were. In addition, the team has always been respectful of my time. Appointments are very efficient and everyone is incredibly kind. Great practice. Will definitely return for my kids when the time comes. read more

Amazing customer service. Always on time. Clean, and organized. Always have a great experience. read more

My son recently finished his treatment with Dr. Cobain Orthodontics. It was a really great experience for him and also me as a parent. We never had issues with scheduling. Dr. Cobain was very thorough and did a good job explaining the process before and during the treatment. Being close to the schools was helpful in doing appointments right after their dismissal. He has an amazing staff which was always helpful with questions! Most importantly, his teeth look amazing now! read more

Just wanted to express my deep gratitude for the dedicated work Dr. Cobain and his staff have done throughout the 10 months I've had braces. It has been a great experience. The staff is very courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. on top of the above the efficiency of their office is the "wow" factor for me...never did I have to wait and nor did I see any patients waiting in the waiting room. I cannot thank Dr. Contain and his staff enough for the wonderful experience . I do recommend them to anyone who is thinking of having a more beautiful smile. read more

Dr Cobain and his staff are all very friendly and super knowledgable about Invisalign. From the very beginning they were so informative and guided my decision making. I have always felt that I was in capable hands and confident in the care I was receiving. I can't always say that for other healthcare providers. They also have offered very flexibly payment terms. They have made the entire process straight forward & fairly painless! read more

Contain orthodontics has been fantastic! This is my third child getting braces with Cobain and we have been very happy with the friendly staff and their willingness to fit my daughter in last minute when needed. read more

100% recommend this office Dr. Cobain genuinely cares for each of his patients and even offers teeth whitening and Invisalign along with traditional braces. Dr Cobain listens to all concerns and provides reasonable solutions that put patients well-being at front of mind. Dr. Cobain and his staff are meticulous in what they do from their front office staff to the meticulously clean treatment areas. This office is welcoming and friendly from walk in to walk out. I felt comfortable throughout my whole appointment and am very satisfied with my results. RDAs Kiana and Amber listened when I had any concerns or pain and offered quick and easy solutions that I could handle. Whenever anyone asks for recommendations for an orthodontist, Dr. Cobain is the first to come to mind! read more

Super thoughtful, efficient and easy to work with! Both kiddos have gotten their braces and invisilign with Cobain. Super helpful staff.

My son has received excellent treatment at Cobain Orthodontics. We didn't know anything about orthodonture and Dr. Cobain and his staff patiently explained our treatment options and answered all of our questions. We chose to go with Invisalign and it has worked out very well. At every office visit we were greeted warmly and attentively. We highly recommend Cobain Orthodontics to get a great smile! read more

Can't do it much better than Cobain Orthodontics! Caring and empathetic staff combined with deep knowledge and expertise is a terrific combo when navigating this challenging process for kids. We have appreciated this from day one, and have seen it consistently every single visit. Can't recommend them enough. read more

Cobain Orthodontics was a wonderful experience for our family. friendly staff. Highly recommended. read more

We have just been through our second round of braces for our first child and are pleased with Dr Cobain's office through out the process. Dr Cobain and staff are very knowledgeable and I always felt we were in capable hands. They have a fun, warm Hawaiian theme through out the office and the staff is upbeat and often working together. They are currently all masked and do a thorough cleaning after each patient. Parents are allowed to go back with their kids so I've seen the cleaning first hand. As a parent, I particularly appreciated that they are always on time with little or no wait in the waiting room and out on time. Despite their punctuality, I've never felt rushed or brushed off when I had questions or concerns. Dr. Cobain was always available or would call back. I thought parking would be a problem when we started, but despite the small lot, I always found a spot. read more

Amazing team members! services for children and adults. i've been bringing my whole family here for years and have had nothing but great experiences. read more

If you're looking for an orthodontist with quality care, this is the place to go! Dr. Cobain is awesome with all his patients of all ages. He thoroughly explains what he is going to do and what he is doing while he takes a look at your teeth. I made the decision to go here for my Invisalign, and I'm So glad I did! The environment is so welcoming. Dana, the treatment coordinator/manager always has a smile on her face and welcomes you with positive energy. Amber is an awesome RDA, and I can't forget Kiana, another RDA there! Both are also amazing! Shoutout to Kiana for packing me enough tortoise bands to last me until forever! You won't regret coming here or bringing your kids here! read more

Our son had a fantastic experience - even dealing with braces - with Dr. Cobain and his practice. Over the years, Dr. Cobain gave our son highly-individualized care without over-treating. His office is also amazingly organized and helped keep this busy mom on schedule with appointments and care. We highly recommend Dr. Cobain! read more

Aside from basic braces needs, my daughter several dental issues that needed to be solved during her orthodontic treatment. Dr Cobain and team were super helpful in guiding me through the appointment and processes I needed to make outside of their office. The office staff was also super helpful in me understanding what appointments, when I was and wasn't needed for appointments. Given my super busy schedule, and the frequency of appointments it was a hug plus knowing when I could send my teen for adjustments on her own. Also appreciated how there office was willing to work with me on adjusting payments plans when I switched jobs and insurance coverage changed. Though it wasn't something I needed to utilize, they were willing to work with me on the portion my new insurance was not going to cover based on previous payment history. Over all great staff and amazing results. read more

Corbain Orthodontics is an AMAZING place. The staff is friendly and very helpful and Dr. Corbain does exceptonal work.

I got my teeth whitening yesterday done at Cobain Orthodontics! I have done previos ortho work with Dr Cobain and i finally decided to brighten my teeth! I'm a heavy coffee drinker, and so lately my teeth have been more yellow. I'm very happy that my teeth did get lighter, I wasn't expecting great results but it did turn out great in the end. I did experience high sensitivity after but it only lasted the same day and the assistant Kiana gave a gel to help with that :) read more

Cobain Orthodontics - Before - Orthodontists Near Me - Lafayette, California

See all

Dr Cobain and his staff have always been kind, attentive and professional in their care of my granddaughter. The office is run efficiently, yet always has an air of fun and ease. We have been more than satisfied with the progress she has made and look forward to her new smile! read more

The best staff ever! We have always had a great experience with Cobain. They have always been accommodating with our schedule. I would definitely recommend! read more

I highly recommend Dr. Cobain. He is very professional and efficient, and the staff is wonderful. We also love the theme! read more

Cobain Orthodontics - I highly recommend Dr. Cobain. He is very professional and efficient, and the staff is wonderful! We also love the clinic's theme. - Orthodontists Near Me - Lafayette, California

We were very happy with the care provided by Dr Cobain and his staff. Everyone in the office is very personable and accommodating. We will be back in a few years for our second child! read more

We've seen Dr. Cobain for 4 family members now! His staff / scheduling is always on time (never have to wait), super professional and communicative. His office management team is so great to work with for scheduling and reminders for braces. read more

Professional, works well with kids, and my daughter's teeth look wonderful. In fact, I was so happy with their service and price, I did Invisalign for myself via Cobain at 48 years old to make some minor corrections. All of the staff are also incredibly friendly. read more

Great orthodontics care. When there was brackets or wire issues they fit us in quickly to get fixed. When I called after hours someone called back in a timely manner. Convenient location from school. Good communication with texts and email as well. read more

We love Cobain Orthodontists! We travel all the way from Berkeley to Lafayette because Dr. Cobain and his staff are the best. Super friendly and just really top quality, professional service. We have both of our kids going here for treatment. read more

Dr. Cobain has been great for all FOUR of my kids. They each had pretty complicated orthodontics cases. Dr. Cobain was extremely thoughtful and careful in handling each one. His staff is amazing! They are each friendly, welcoming, and very efficient. Appointments always start on time and the office tries hard to work with each family to accommodate their needs. read more

Dr. Cobain and his staff are all wonderful. They are thoughtful, explain everything in detail and always make my kiddos feel comfortable. I would highly recommend Dr. Cobain to anyone looking for high quality orthodontics! read more

Dr Cobain, his RDA's and his office staff are welcoming, friendly, informative, attentive, and patient. This, combined with their efficiency and organization has made every step of the braces process for our middle schooler incredibly easy. Dr. Cobain and his staff clearly care about the well-being of their patients and always put us and our son at ease. We did consultations with more than one orthodontist and we definitely feel we made the right decision to go with Dr. Cobain and staff, and recommend them to friends and family, as well. read more

The team is very personable and professional. We jas a great experience with Dr. Cobain.