Stork Orthodontics has been voted Best Local Orthodontist by Des Moines CityView readers seven consecutive years in a row (2026), and also took home Best Local Customer Service (Overall). Led by Dr. James Stork, our Des Moines practice serves children, teens, and adults with transparent treatment plans, flexible financing, and personalized orthodontic care.
Seven years. Seven consecutive wins. Not a single gap.
We’re proud to share that Stork Orthodontics has been named Best Local Orthodontist in the Des Moines CityView Best of Des Moines readers poll for 2026, marking our seventh year in a row earning this recognition. This year, we also took home the award for Best Local Customer Service (Overall), a distinction that means just as much to us as the orthodontic title itself.
The CityView poll is entirely reader-driven. There’s no nomination process and no “pay to play.” Des Moines residents simply fill in the blank with the businesses they trust most. That makes this recognition something genuinely meaningful to us and to every patient who has walked through our doors over the past 13 years.
Key Takeaways:
- Stork Orthodontics won Best Local Orthodontist in the 2026 Des Moines CityView readers poll, for the seventh consecutive year
- We also won Best Local Customer Service (Overall) for 2026
- Our practice is independently owned and operated by Dr. James Stork, a Mayo Clinic-trained orthodontist who graduated first in his class at the University of Illinois at Chicago
- We offer metal braces, clear braces, clear aligners, Phase 1 treatment, adult orthodontics, and teeth whitening
- Every consultation is complimentary, with flexible financing options and no sales pressure
What It Actually Means to Be the Best
Winning any award once is meaningful. Winning it seven times in a row reflects something deeper: consistency. Families don’t return to a practice and vote for it year after year because of flashy marketing. They do it because the experience matched what was promised.
At Stork Orthodontics, we’ve built everything around one simple idea: you should never feel pushed into treatment you don’t need or pressured into a decision that doesn’t feel right. Every recommendation Dr. Stork makes is the same one he would give to his own family and friends. That standard hasn’t changed since we opened in June 2012, and it won’t change going forward.
As CityView put it, patients say Stork Orthodontics keeps “their smiles radiant and their teeth healthy.” That’s the goal, every single visit.
Our Approach to Personalized Orthodontic Care
No two smiles are the same, and no two treatment plans at Stork Orthodontics are the same either. Dr. Stork, who completed his orthodontic residency and Master of Science degree at the Mayo Clinic (a program that accepts only one applicant per year) and graduated first in his class at the University of Illinois at Chicago, brings a level of precision and clinical depth to each case that sets the standard for care in Des Moines.
Before any treatment begins, you’ll sit down with us for a complimentary, no-pressure consultation. We take digital scans, review the findings with you in plain language, talk through your options, and answer every question until you feel genuinely confident about the next step. There’s no sales pitch, and there’s no clock ticking. Just honest guidance.
Our practice is also independently owned and family-operated, which matters more than it might seem. We’re not a corporate chain. Every decision we make is driven by what’s best for our patients, not a quarterly revenue target. Since opening our Des Moines office, that independence has allowed us to put patient care at the front of every decision.
Orthodontic Solutions for Every Stage of Life
We offer a full range of treatment options for children, teens, and adults across the Des Moines area.
Metal and Clear Braces remain two of the most effective ways to correct alignment and bite issues. Metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than they’ve ever been, while clear ceramic braces offer a more discreet appearance without compromising results.
Clear Aligners are a popular choice for teens and adults looking for flexibility. We use Angel Aligners, a custom clear aligner system fabricated with two onsite 3D printers right in our West Des Moines lab. Printing in-house means faster turnarounds, better precision, and a smoother start to treatment.
Phase 1 (Early Orthodontics) focuses on children who still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Catching jaw development issues early can guide proper growth, reduce the need for extractions later, and often make Phase 2 treatment shorter and more straightforward.
Adult Orthodontics is something more patients are choosing every year, and for good reason. Whether teeth have shifted over time or treatment was never completed earlier in life, we help adults achieve results that are both effective and discreet. Alongside these treatments, we also offer teeth whitening to help complete your smile transformation.
Every treatment plan is designed with fewer appointments in mind. Your time matters, and we don’t schedule visits that aren’t necessary.
Why Families in Des Moines Keep Choosing Us
What sets us apart? Over 800 five-star Google reviews reflect a pattern, not just a handful of happy patients. Families throughout the metro area have shared what the experience at Stork Orthodontics actually looks like.
“This is our first time around having someone in braces and Dr. Stork and his team have made it such a great experience! Fantastic customer service and always a positive upbeat atmosphere in the office!”
“I truly loved my experience here. The environment and nurses made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire experience of braces. 10/10 recommend.”
What drives those reviews isn’t any single feature. It’s the combination of honest communication, efficient appointments, flexible financing (including insurance processing handled entirely by our team), and a genuine warmth that carries from the front desk through to the treatment chair. When you arrive, we greet you by name. We remember your story. We celebrate your milestones.
Winning Best Local Customer Service (Overall) alongside Best Local Orthodontist in 2026 reflects exactly that. It’s not just about the outcome of your treatment. It’s about how you felt throughout the entire process.
FAQ
Q: What orthodontic treatments does Stork Orthodontics offer?
A: We offer metal braces, clear ceramic braces, Angel Aligners (clear aligners), Phase 1 early orthodontic treatment, adult orthodontics, and teeth whitening. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Stork will help you determine which option fits your smile goals and lifestyle.
Q: Do you offer orthodontic treatment for younger children?
A: Yes. We specialize in Phase 1 (early orthodontics) for children with a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age seven. Early intervention can guide jaw development and reduce the complexity of future treatment.
Q: How does Stork Orthodontics make treatment affordable?
A: We offer truly flexible financing with payment options built around your budget. Our team handles all insurance paperwork and claims, and we offer payment-in-full discounts as well as family courtesies when multiple family members are in treatment at the same time.
Q: Is orthodontic treatment at Stork Orthodontics only for kids and teens?
A: Not at all. A growing number of our patients are adults. Whether you’re correcting a long-standing alignment issue or your teeth have shifted over the years, we offer discreet, effective options including clear aligners and clear braces that fit a professional lifestyle.
Q: How do I get started at Stork Orthodontics?
A: Schedule a complimentary consultation at our West Des Moines office. There’s no pressure and no obligation. Dr. Stork will review your dental scans, walk you through your options, and provide a personalized treatment plan with clear timelines and costs.
Seven Years Is Just the Beginning
Receiving this recognition seven times is humbling, and we don’t take it lightly. It motivates us to keep doing what we’ve always done: show up for every patient, be honest about every recommendation, and make sure every visit feels like coming to a place where you genuinely belong.
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, we’d love to meet you. Schedule your complimentary consultation at our West Des Moines office and see why Des Moines keeps choosing us, year after year.