I can't say enough good things about Dr. Lau! The first thing I immediately noticed was his kind, patient, and good-natured demeanor. He was really gentle and thorough with my kids' teeth examination. Then, he took the time to listen to our concerns and objectives. And finally, he went past closing just to tell us more about his recommendations, all while never being pushy. Our family has seen him for everything from expanders to Invisalign to Hawley retainers. There's a reason our whole family completely trusts Dr. Lau for our orthodontic care. Some other notable things about his practice: * Staff and Reception: His receptionists are amazing--organized, friendly, and patient. We've had experiences with several dental offices, some of which have great dentists but curt receptionists (and vice versa). More importantly, you can rest assured they'll follow up promptly if you have questions. His dental staff are all super friendly, too! * Community Support: I really appreciate how Dr. Lau's practice is so supportive of the San Carlos community. I've seen him sponsor everything from walkathons to AYSO. * Office: My kids love the chocolate chip cookies and juice boxes in the waiting room. Also, it is modern and clean. I highly recommend him to any adult or child looking for orthodontic care! read more

Mom Review: As a mom, I want my son to have a healthy smile while feeling comfortable. Dr. Lau and his team (Technician Lacy) are extremely competent and have the best bedside manner. Dr. Lau explains everything clearly and has made a positive change in my son's teeth with an expander and retainer. It's far from my traumatizing teenage experience with my own childhood orthodontist. The place and staff are top notch! 12-year old son Review: The second I walk in, I smell fresh baked cookies and a very nice lady greets me! Then, I sit in a very comfy chair as I wait shortly. Then, Technician Lacy comes out and waves me in! Once I get in, I sit down and Lacy explains to me clearly what they're going to do to my teeth today. Then, Dr. Lau comes out and does a fantastic job on my teeth! Once that's all over, he closes by saying bye and letting me take a fresh baked cookie! read more

We have been patients at San Carlos Orthodontics for the past couple of years, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience. My oldest daughter just had her braces removed, and the results are absolutely stunning, her smile is completely transformed and every single tooth is perfectly aligned. Dr. Lau is incredibly meticulous and detail-oriented. You can tell he truly cares about getting everything just right, and it shows in the final results. He never rushes the process and makes sure each tooth is exactly where it should be before moving forward. That level of dedication gives you so much confidence as a parent. A special shoutout to Lacey, who has been absolutely wonderful throughout our time here. The front office staff is equally impressive, always warm, kind, and helpful every time we walk through the door. Scheduling, questions, follow-ups, they handle everything with a smile and make the whole process seamless. If you're looking for an orthodontist who combines exceptional clinical skill with a genuinely caring team, look no further than San Carlos Orthodontics. We are beyond satisfied and would recommend them to anyone without hesitation! read more

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Lau and his incredible team! As a parent, you always want your child to feel safe, but you also want to know they are in the hands of a true expert. Dr. Lau and his team are incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to explain everything thoroughly, ensuring we never feel rushed. The level of professionalism in this office is top-tier. From the seamless scheduling to the attentive clinical staff, every detail is handled with care and precision. Most importantly, my child looks forward to her appointments! She always comes out with a smile (and a chocolate chip cookie served in the office) and has nothing but great things to say about her experience. It's such a relief to find a practice that balances high-level medical expertise with such a warm, welcoming environment. read more

Dr. Lau and his whole staff are fantastic. They are always so prompt, courteous and patient. I love how they take their time to listen to your needs and never seem they are trying to sell you on unnecessary treatment. I love them so much I decided to become patient myself! read more

Very happy with Dr Lau and his team at San Carlos Orthodontics. Friendly and professional, would highly recommend!

Dr. Lau is fantastic - not only did my kids have excellent orthodontic outcomes, but Dr. Lau and the rest of his team are so nice, friendly, and accommodating! My older son did the "first phase" of his orthodontic work with another orthodontist in San Carlos, and we switched because the appointment times were too inflexible for my schedule. It was only after switching that we realized how much warmer and friendlier the atmosphere was in Dr. Lau's office. We were very happy to have made the switch. I would highly recommend Dr. Lau to anyone looking for an excellent orthodontist! read more

Lots of back and forth over the phone with the assistant. They convinced me to come in but then it felt like I was repeating everything we had already discussed over the phone just to find out they could not help. Ultimately a waste of time. I don't recommend. read more

I have been meaning to write this for a long time and while I hate to write a less than positive review, I feel like it's the right thing to do. My daughter was a patient with Dr. Lau's predecessor Dr. Young but very shortly after signing we got notice that the practice had been sold to Dr. Lau. I will admit that it felt like a bait and switch, but wasn't overly concerned about it. She had a phase one treatment with Dr. Lau and it was mediocre at best. It went on a very long time (too long - like 2.5 years if memory serves) and over that time we just kind of kept going in and being told to come back for the next appointment. Not a lot of communication about the plan, the progress, etc. It was not impressive. As a parent I didn't really know if the outcome was correct, but I wasn't excited to keep her there so when it came time for her phase two so we looked elsewhere. I looked around pretty extensively for a provider and ultimately found someone top notch. But it was incredibly frustrating to learn that her phase one had been incomplete and that she required MUCH more expansion and bone movement than Dr. Lau had done in his many years of having her in treatment, which is much harder to do when a child is older and the bones are more set in. We moved forward with this new orthodontist and fairly complicated and extensive (and expensive) treatment plan, which involved a combination of fixed appliances and Invisalign (thankfully no more metal braces.) After several more years she is done with treatment and her teeth look stunning. I am so very thankful that we moved on from Dr. Lau because while he certainly would have given her straight teeth, I cannot imagine he would have been able to achieve the A+ finish that she has now. Yes, Dr. Lau is nice, his staff is friendly, and the office is clean and well-run. (In fact and to be fair, we often had long waits for appointments with her second provider.) But I am not sure that Dr. Lau is the most skilled orthodontist you can find. Perhaps he has gotten a lot better in the past several years - I hope he has -- but given how much he fell short with my daughter's treatment I wanted to share our experience. read more

Every time I see Dr. Lau and the wonderful staff I am so impressed by their professionalism, skill, and treatment of patients. Their practice is a gem in the world of orthodontics, this is the kind of place you take your entire family to. I would highly recommend. read more

Bring conscious of my smile, I knew I wanted something to change without making it obvious. Getting Invisalign as an adult was a great compromise and gift to myself. Dr Lau is the most straight forward, honest and kind doctor I've ever worked with. He understands how eager I was to get through the program while emphasizing I was in control of how much I wore them. His plan and my ~95% compliance led to the straight teeth I want. The staff of San Carlos Ortho is very pleasant and easy to work with. They made it seamless to book appointments, reschedule them when work got busy, and made gentile reminders when I forgot. The office is always clean but gone are the days of chocolate cookies and tea (thanks to the pandemic). I would absolutely recommend this office for any adult's or child's Ortho care. My kids come here too! read more

San Carlos Orthodontics - Left is the final result. Right shows the front teeth shadow and wider shape. Luckily you can't see how crooked my bottoms were! - Orthodontists Near Me - San Carlos, California

I have an 11 year old just starting the ortho journey. Dr. Lau came highly recommended and so far we are not disappointed. He immediately put our minds and anxiety at ease with his caring personality and excellent explanation of the process and treatment plan. The staff is warm and friendly and the office is immaculate. read more

First off, I want to say that I love all the staff they always make you feel like family, I started my ortho at the end of 2020, I just got my braces off and I couldn't be more happy with the results. If anyone is considering going through with this process, I highly recommend them. You will not be disappointed! read more

If I could give Dr. Lau and his team 6 stars I would. At 40 years old, the idea of braces was daunting. As a professional in a client facing industry, I was concerned my appearance would impact my day to day. In addition to taking time off for appointments, not to mention having to explain "adult braces." But then I came to Dr. Lau and his team. From the very first consultation, Dr. Lau was fantastic at setting realistic expectations about the timeline and potential challenges. I had previously undergone 3 years of Invisalign at another provider, but had an unsuccessful outcome. Dr. Lau listened to my past experience and came up with a plan. There were no sugar-coated promises, just a clear and honest discussion about what to expect. The entire staff at San Carlos Orthodontics was incredibly patient and understanding. They never made me feel rushed, even during busy hours. There were times I had conflicts at work and they were understanding and were very accommodating. Dr. Lau always took his time to answer my questions, explaining each step, and addressed any concerns I had. It was clear he wasn't just treating teeth and my bite, he was truly invested in getting the results I wanted. We wrapped up this week. I never thought I would be sad to take my braces off. Its rare to see this kind of medical care and attention in the Bay Area. The results are beyond amazing. Looking back, I wish I had met his team earlier. If you're a busy adult considering braces, don't let fear or time hold you back. I would highly recommend Dr. Lau. Love my new smile. read more

Do you believe in magic? Thanks to Dr. Lau, I do! With his help, I was able to get the smile I've always wanted. Not to mention his great team. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Every appointment they kept me informed on how everything was and the communication is top tier! I live in the East Bay and I made my way over, if you come here, you won't regret it. Thank you Dr. Lau and team for helping me get to where I wanted my teeth to be! I'm forever grateful! read more

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The best dentist office I've ever visited. Everyone is friendly and professional. Dr. Lau is great at communicating the treatment plan and procedure details. read more

One of the kindest, gentlest, most experienced and dedicated orthodontist that I know of. He has treated my friends and relatives, young and old. Everyone is very happy with his treatment. He is highly regarded in the community and in his field. He takes the time to answer questions. He is very responsive to urgent needs. His staff is professional. The office is well-maintained and clean. read more

We had a very good experience with our daughter's orthodontic treatment. She started treatment when she was 10 years old. Dr. Lau explained the details of the treatment, the timeline and the cost in a reasonable and transparent way. He was kind and gentle with our daughter. The staff are professional and welcoming, and overall the experience was very good. When she had a part of her brace come loose, the staff were immediately responsive about what to do. Now my child has straight teeth and hopefully with the retainer they will stay that way. No one likes getting dental treatment but we are glad it went smoothly in the hands of Dr. Lau and his capable team. read more

As a 30 yr old patient, I can say that San Carlos Orthodontics has the most engaging dental professionals I have ever met! They explained everything in detail and gave ample instruction. In my previous experiences at the orthodontist, I found myself confused and unable to ask questions. But Dr. Lau is very informative and the team, makes sure you're doing okay at many intervals through treatment. If you get nervous, they remain patient and efficient. I even saw younger patients having a good time through their appointments. Dr. Lau and his team are honestly amazing and I will bring my entire family and friends here for Invisalign and orthodontics from here on out! This has been my best dental experience thus far!! read more

This is a long overdue review for Dr. Lau and his fabulous team. My wife Xing was a patient with Dr Lau for almost 2 years. She is very satisfied with the result. Every time we visited, Dr Lau and the team explained in details about the progress. The automatic appointment reminder and check-in system is very convenient and thoughtful. Throughout the entire process, Dr Lau kept very clear communication with our dentist Eddy on coordinating the Invisalign adjustment toward making space for the tooth implant. We highly recommend Dr Lau to anyone who is looking for a caring and professional team. Best regards from Xing and Mike. read more

Dr. Gary Lau has been absolutely fantastic to work with over the 4 years of my orthodontic treatment process! Gary took a deep interest and care into my case to ensure we were able to execute the treatment properly given my lifestyle constraints. I would not have been able to achieve the same results with other orthodontists. The whole team has been extremely kind and professional. Super happy with the experience! read more

Dr. Lau is highly skilled in state-of-the-art techniques to achieve individual goals. He is kind and compassionate, explaining each step, and coordinates treatment with your general dentist as necessary. He offers affordable payment plans and his office is well staffed and efficient. read more

Overall A+ experience, highly recommended! -Efficient and super clean office -Professional and friendly Dr. and staff -Kid friendly I just had my old retainer replaced by Dr. Lau at San Carlos Orthodontics and the experience could not have been better. My new retainers fit perfectly and it was due to Dr. Lau's attention to detail. I originally had a wire on my top teeth removed by a different office. Dr. Lau noticed there was some residual glue left over and removed it before scanning my teeth for my retainer. He constantly made sure I was comfortable and addressed any questions or concerns I had. His office staff was also willing to work with me to see if my insurance would cover a part of the cost. They also did their best to accommodate my work schedule in setting up an appointment on a Saturday. The office is very clean and inviting. They also have a self check-in tablet available. Dr. Lau and his staff are very friendly and professional. I would definitely recommend him to my family and friends. read more

SUMMARY: As a very picky adult patient with high standards, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Lau for your orthodontic needs. He is the perfect combination of competence and care - you know he'll do an exceptional job while also keeping your spirits up throughout the arduous Invisalign process. MY BACKGROUND: I'm one of those adults who had braces as a kid, lost my retainer, started grinding my teeth, and found myself with an overbite and crowded bottom teeth by my late 30s. I decided to spend $000s of my own money to get my teeth re-fixed, and was very determined that the money and misery (of orthodontic-wear) would not go to waste again! THE RESEARCH: I read all the yelp and google reviews for all ~5 star rated orthodontists/cosmetic dentists that accept Delta Dental PPO along the peninsula and immediate East Bay and narrowed down my list to 4 orthodontists and 1 dentist. After visiting them all, I found Dr. Lau stood out because of his thorough analysis and genuine interest in my case. In particular, he gave me 2 options (Invisalign vs. the more affordable 3M Clarity aligner) and took the time to discuss the pros and cons, which showed he was committed to customizing his services to my needs/desires. (This is in contrast to several folks, whom I'm sure could do a good job, but who took so little time to assess my teeth and quoted such a high cost that I felt like they were just there to make money off patients.) THE EXPERIENCE: - Dr. Lau was always thorough, conscientious, and committed to providing the highest quality care. I always felt like he was both highly skilled and using his skills to help me best achieve my goals. He was also very patient and non-judgmental when I got slightly off track with wearing my aligners. - Dr. Lau and his team went out of their way to accommodate me during extenuating circumstances: For ex, when COVID first hit and I wasn't sure when I could pick up my next set of aligners, he dropped them off at my apartment (~15 min from his office). - His office staff were wonderful: organized, welcoming, and accommodating as needed, which was critical for me as a new mom during the pandemic. - His office is very neat and clean, with all necessary COVID protocols in place. CONCLUSION: I highly recommend Dr. Lau to any patient, whether adult or pediatric. Given the significant commitment of time and money needed for orthodontics, I'm so glad that I picked Dr. Lau - the results were totally worth it! read more

Dr. Lau and his team are exemplars for excellent customer service and patient care. From the moment you are greeted by the front desk team to the caring bedside manner of the back office staff and Dr. Lau himself, you are in good hands. My child is somewhat of a worry wort and they do a great job minimizing her anxiety. I reached out to the office one late afternoon to get a doctors note for the next morning, they made it a point to get this to me before day's end. Five star service in my opinion! read more

I had a fantastic experience with Dr. Lau and his team at San Carlos Orthodontics. They are professional, friendly, honest, and caring. They made me feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the whole process of getting invisalign.  Dr. Lau is very knowledgeable and skilled in orthodontics. He explained everything clearly and answered all my questions. He also gave me a personalized treatment plan that suited my needs. The results are unbelievable!   My kids were also his patients as well.  Our teeth are straight, healthy, and beautiful.  Thank you, Dr. Lau, for giving us the smile of our dreams! You are truly the best! read more

I am a 62 yr young woman who decided to do something for myself and straighten my teeth. This was a big decision for me, I mean who wants to wear braces at my age! I couldn't be more pleased with the process at Dr. Lau's office, from the moment I walked into the office I knew I would feel comfortable there. From the office manager to his team that actually worked on me, everyone was so kind and thoughtful about what was important to me. They explained everything they were doing and what to expect from appointment to appointment. They were generous in providing all the "wax", lip moisturizer and whatever else I needed to help my comfort. Dr Lau is very precise in his treatment, very compassionate, and an excellent orthodontist. Dr. Lau and his Team provided an excellent experience for me. It's a big commitment, going to all the appointments, but they were so accommodating they made it easy! read more

San Carlos Orthodontics is amazing! I had braces 10+ years ago through another orthodontist, but after years of not wearing my retainer my teeth began to shift and treatment was needed. Choosing to get treatment through San Carlos Orthodontics was one of the best decisions I made during the pandemic because my teeth look beautiful! Dr. Lau and all of his staff are wonderful, making the drive from the South Bay to San Carlos well worth it. There was a time where I had lost a set of aligners (rookie mistake) and getting a replacement was so easy. I simply just sent them a text letting them know what happened, Dr. Lau gave me instructions on what set to wear in the mean time, and once the replacement was ready they mailed it to my home. So great! I highly recommend Dr. Lau's practice to anyone (kid or adult) seeking orthodontic treatment in the Bay Area :) read more

I just finished my Invisalign treatment with Dr. Lau. I had an excellent experience. Nothing to complain about whatsoever. His staff was extremely friendly, Dr. Lau always took the time to answer my questions and explain the next step in the treatment, and Ann took care of all of the billing stuff promptly and diligently. My teeth look great, I am very happy with how it turned out. And the time it took was shorter than what Dr. Lau originally said, so that was a bonus. Under promise over deliver! Highly recommend Dr. Lau and his team! read more

Dr. Gary Lau is an excellent orthodontist! He's very knowledgeable, professional, friendly and an absolute pleasure to be with. I needed a new retainer and he discussed all my options and provided excellent and honest counsel. I had braces many years ago as a kid (with another orthodontist who retired) and felt completely confident in Dr. Lau's care. I highly recommend him! Plus his staff is great too. read more

Dr Lau and his staff are the best!! They are so professional and make sure they accommodate all requests. My daughter was scared to get expanders put but Dr Lau made the process so simple and fun for her. He is very patient and explains the process in detail. Kiddo got to pick her color for the retainer, the box and she was so excited. The office is sparking clean and they maintain all Covid protocols. They sure are doing a swell job!! Thank you Doctor Lau for all you did and we will miss you. read more

At 70 years of age, I wan't hopeful that any orthodontist could really help me. But Dr. Lau explained clearly how he could help. I appreciated his honesty, clarity and kindness from the start. He set realistic expectations and then, in my opinion, not only delivered on them but exceeded them, with excellent care and support every step of the way. His technical expertise is stellar, while he and his whole team operate at a level of professionalism and care I've rarely experienced in any medical/dental office. I cannot say enough about what a great experience it was working with them. And, yes, I am smiling broadly every day because I'm so happy with the results! read more

I had braces when I was a teenager. But my teeth got crowded again. So I got braces again, and that was the best decision I have ever taken. Dr. Lau and his team are extremely friendly and helpful. They will answer any question you have and help you throughout the entire process. They always think for your best. Dr. Lau suggested the treatment plan best suited for me and after 2 year and half years I have straight teeth and the beautiful smile I always wanted. I am very very happy with my results. If you are looking for an orthodontist for your kids and for yourself as an adult, this is the place you want to go to. read more

I am so excited I just started inbraces ortho treatment (braces behind the teeth). Dr. Lau and his staff are all so friendly and professional. They make you feel welcome and do a great job. I can't recommend them enough! This is the perfect time while we are all wearing masks to get ortho work. My husband is doing Invisalign with Dr. Lau and is really enjoying the process too. read more

Both my daughter and I had really positive experiences with Dr Lau. She had traditional metal braces and I did Invisalign. Dr Lau is super kind and patient and the entire staff is great as well - knowledgeable and just really nice. My daughter and I are both really happy with our teeth as well!! I definitely recommend SC Orthodontics to both kids and adults! read more

When we moved from Massachusetts to California mid-way through our daughters' braces treatment, we could not have imagined that the best part of our relocation would be their new orthodontist, Dr. Lau. He seamlessly carried forward their treatment plans, even accelerating our older daughter's path to getting her braces removed. Dr. Lau is highly skilled, attentive and kind, and always looking out for his patients' best interests. If we could give him ten stars here, we would! read more

Dr. Lau and his entire staff are fantastic. Their professionalism, care, and authenticity go a long way. If you're looking for an orthodontist that will take care of you beyond belief, look no further. A++ read more

Good on the basics, and good on the extras. Solid care, nice people, good coffee and cookies, and convenient appointment reminders. Totally fair pricing as well. There are few things cooler than needing braces in your thirties, and despite being surrounded by kids in middle school when I went in, it was still a solid experience. I had a couple teeth that needed to be maneuvered to prevent gum loss, and it worked out really well. If you're looking for your kids, this is the place. If you're looking for yourself, it's also the place. Also, as an added bonus, the amount of time they told me it would take was the amount of time it actually took, in terms of having braces. That's uncommon in Orthodontics. Dr Lau is great, and if you're looking for a quality practitioner, look no further. You've found them. read more

Gary has treated our family at his San Carlos location. His office is friendly, skilled and welcoming. Gary has an excellent way with all of his patients, especially kids. His recommendations were spot-on and carried out to perfection. On another note, Gary is extremely involved in the San Carlos community where he donates so much of his time. Please accept this as my highest endorsement for Gary and his office. read more

I can't say enough nice things about this office! Everyone is great. Dr. Lau and his staff take there time and make you feel super comfortable. From the second you walk through the door you are always greeted and made welcome. Scheduling appointments was easy and convenient with my daughters school schedule. Dr. Lau's approach was much more conservative than other offices I had been to in the past for consultations. He was thorough and explained everything that was happening through the entire process. read more