Orthodontist in Crestview, FL: What Families Near Eglin AFB Should Know About Sims Orthodontics

If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Crestview, Florida, here’s what you should know about Sims Orthodontics before you call.

We’re the only owner-doctor orthodontic practice in Crestview. The other orthodontic options in town are either corporate-owned or operated by a dentist rather than a board-certified orthodontist. For a treatment relationship that lasts 12 to 24 months, that difference matters more than most families realize until they’re mid-treatment and things aren’t going the way they expected.

I’m Dr. Clay Sims. I didn’t just open a location in Crestview and hand it off to an associate. I personally treat every patient at this office, alongside the same team that works across all three of our locations. You see me at every appointment. Same doctor, start to finish.

The Story of This Office

In 2015 I opened our Crestview location. In 2016, I received a call from Dr. Bayer and Dr. Curtis, who had been practicing orthodontics in Crestview since the 1970s. They were looking for someone to take over their patient family and continue the legacy they had built over decades in this community. They hand-picked me.

That’s not something I take lightly. When two orthodontists who spent their careers building trust in a community choose you to carry that forward, it sets a standard. The patients who came to us from Bayer and Curtis trusted them completely. My job from day one has been to be worthy of that trust.

The orthodontic heritage in this Crestview location goes back to the 1970s. I’ve been here since 2016. Between their legacy and mine, this office has been serving Crestview families for over 50 years.

The Office Itself

Our Crestview office is one of the oldest and most historic houses in the city, converted into an orthodontic practice. When you walk in it doesn’t feel like a clinic. It feels like a home, because it is one.

The lobby has video games and Disney movies playing. Kids who would otherwise be anxious about coming in tend to relax almost immediately. There’s a warmth to the space that you don’t get in a modern commercial office build-out and our Crestview patients tell us all the time that it’s one of the things they love most about coming in.

Most of our treatment rooms are private. We also have one room with two chairs for siblings who want to sit together or patients who want to bring a friend. It’s a small thing but it matters to families.

We’re located at 758 N Ferdon Blvd, just south of Crestview High School and a short drive from Northwood Elementary, Bob Sikes Elementary, Walker Elementary, Shoal River Middle School, and Davidson Middle School. We’re across the street from Azteca Mexican Restaurant. If you’re coming from Google Maps, put in 758 N Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536.

Who We See in Crestview

Our Crestview patients come from all over the area. Crestview itself, Baker, Laurel Hill, Holt, DeFuniak Springs, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, and parts of South Alabama. We see patients from across the region who make the drive because they want a board-certified orthodontist who actually owns and runs the practice they’re walking into.

About 75% of our Crestview patients are connected to the military. Many are active duty families stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, and Duke Field. A significant portion are career military, special forces families, and 20-plus year veterans who have settled in the Crestview area. We also see a lot of homeschool families in Crestview, who appreciate the flexibility of our scheduling since we rotate days at this location.

The other 25% are long-time Crestview residents: farmers, local professionals, and families who have been in this area for generations. We love this mix. It reflects what Crestview actually is.

What We Treat

At our Crestview office we offer the full range of orthodontic services, the same as our Pensacola and Gulf Breeze locations.

For children and teens:

  • Early Phase 1 treatment for bite issues, crossbites, jaw growth problems, and habit correction
  • Full braces treatment in metal or clear ceramic brackets
  • Invisalign Teen and Invisalign for Phase 1 cases
  • Palate expanders, Forsus appliances, space maintainers, and other orthodontic appliances
  • Observation program for kids who aren’t ready for treatment yet, monitored at no charge

For adults:

  • Full braces or Invisalign treatment
  • Limited and express treatment for minor alignment issues
  • Retreatment for patients whose teeth have shifted after previous orthodontic care

We’re a Diamond Invisalign Provider, which means we treat a high volume of Invisalign cases every year and have the clinical experience to handle complex cases with clear aligners. Braces and Invisalign are typically priced the same at our practice. Cost is based on the complexity of your case, not the appliance you choose.

For a full breakdown of what treatment costs and how TRICARE and other insurance works, see our posts on braces costs in Pensacola and orthodontics for military families.

Military Families and TRICARE

We have deep experience with military families and TRICARE. Active duty TRICARE is one of the most comprehensive orthodontic benefits available anywhere, covering braces, Invisalign, Phase 1 early treatment, appliances, and retainers. We handle TRICARE billing and make sure you’re getting every dollar you’re entitled to.

We also offer a military discount of 10% of the patient portion of treatment, up to $300, for active duty service members, veterans, and their families.

If you’re PCS-ing in or out and need to start or transfer treatment, we’ve handled that situation many times. Bring your records and we’ll take care of the rest. For a full guide on orthodontic care for military families including TRICARE details and what to do if orders come mid-treatment, see our dedicated post on orthodontics for military families near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field.

Giving Back to Crestview

Our Teacher Wish List program started right here in Crestview. Every year our patients nominate their teachers, we select 10 classrooms, and we fulfill their classroom wish lists out of pocket. We’ve been doing this for 12 years and have put more than $50,000 back into local classrooms. We also regularly sponsor patient sports teams and school events because these kids and their families are our neighbors.

We have close relationships with the dentists and pediatric dentists in the Crestview area. Many of our patients come to us through referrals from those offices and we communicate directly with referring dentists after every new patient exam. It’s a partnership that benefits patients and it’s something we take seriously.

A Note From Dr. Sims

Crestview holds a special place for me. When Dr. Bayer and Curtis called me in 2016, they didn’t just hand me a patient list. They handed me a community that had trusted them for decades. Every time I drive to this office I think about that.

The military families here are remarkable. The sacrifices they make, the resilience of the spouses managing everything at home during deployments, the kids who move schools and make new friends and manage braces and all of it without complaint. It’s humbling. We try to make the orthodontic part of their lives as easy and consistent as possible.

And if you’re a fellow fishing enthusiast, please share your best Crestview-area spots when you come in. I’m always looking for local knowledge.

Schedule Your Free Consultation in Crestview

No referral needed. Your first appointment is free and you’ll meet me personally.

Call our Crestview office directly at (850) 683-8830 or reach us at our Pensacola main line at (850) 477-7715. After hours, before 8am, after 5pm, and on weekends, calls route to an on-call team member.

We rotate clinical days in Crestview so there’s always a day that works for your schedule. Our full team and Dr. Sims make the trip to Crestview together. Same staff, same doctor, same standard of care as our Pensacola location.

All patient records are on the cloud, so if you ever need to be seen at our Pensacola or Gulf Breeze office, your records are ready and current. No starting over, no paperwork gaps.

758 N Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sims Orthodontics the only orthodontist in Crestview? No, but we are the only owner-doctor orthodontic practice in Crestview. The other orthodontic options in town are either corporate-owned or operated by a dentist rather than a board-certified orthodontist. We believe that distinction matters, especially for a treatment that spans one to two years.

Does Dr. Sims actually see patients in Crestview or does he send an associate? Dr. Sims personally treats every patient at the Crestview office. He and his team rotate days there together. You see the same doctor and the same team at every appointment.

Do you accept TRICARE at your Crestview office? Yes. We accept TRICARE and have extensive experience with military families. Active duty TRICARE covers braces, Invisalign, Phase 1 treatment, and appliances. We run a complimentary benefits check at your first appointment.

What areas do you serve from the Crestview office? We see patients from Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Holt, DeFuniak Springs, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, and parts of South Alabama. If you’re willing to make the drive, we’d be glad to see you.

Do you treat homeschool families? Yes. We see a lot of homeschool families in Crestview and we’re used to working with flexible scheduling needs. Call us and we’ll find a day that works.

How long has there been an orthodontist at this location? The orthodontic heritage at this location goes back to the 1970s when Dr. Bayer and Dr. Curtis practiced here. Dr. Sims took over in 2016 when they hand-picked him to continue their patient care. The combined legacy of this location spans over 50 years.

Where exactly are you located in Crestview? 758 N Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536. Just north of Crestview High School, across the street from Azteca Mexican Restaurant. Easy access from Baker, Laurel Hill, and a short drive from Niceville and Fort Walton Beach.

Book your free Crestview consultation

Call (850) 683-8830 or book online. No referral needed.

Sims Orthodontics | 758 N Ferdon Blvd, Crestview, FL 32536 Serving Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill, Holt, DeFuniak Springs, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, and South Alabama.

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