Looking for an orthodontist near Elkton, VA? Giardina Orthodontics is a short drive west on Route 33, and Elkton families have been making the trip for braces, Invisalign, and expert orthodontic care that feels like a small-town visit, not a sterile chain.
Maybe your East Rockingham Eagle needs braces before football season. Maybe your Elkton Middle student is ready for their first orthodontic checkup. Maybe you’re an adult who’s finally going to fix that smile you’ve thought about for years. Dr. Julia Giardina and our team are right down the road.
We’re a Board-Certified orthodontic practice with a perfect 5.0 Google rating from 1,450+ patients and counting. And yes, Jerry the therapy dog will probably greet you at the door.
- Board-CertifiedABO Diplomate
- 1,450+ 5-star reviewson Google
- Free consultationsno pressure
- Same-day startsone trip, not two
- 0% financingDelta Dental in-network
Why Elkton Families Drive to Giardina Orthodontics
You have options closer to home, but Elkton, McGaheysville, and eastern Rockingham County families keep choosing us. A few honest reasons why:
A short drive for big-city quality care. Our Harrisonburg office is a quick run west on Route 33 from downtown Elkton. That’s less time than you’d spend in traffic in most cities, and you get a Board-Certified orthodontist with advanced training from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Appointments that fit Elkton schedules. We’re open Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm. That means you can drop off at Elkton Elementary, run the appointment, and still make it back for pickup. After-school appointments are available for the Elks and Eagles in your house.
Same-day braces capability. No second trip required. If Dr. G evaluates your child or you and treatment makes sense that day, we can often get started immediately. Useful when you’ve already made the drive into town.
How same-day braces workFree consultations, transparent pricing. Your first visit costs nothing. You’ll leave knowing exactly what treatment looks like, what it costs, and what your insurance covers. No surprises, no pressure.
Want to see what treatment would look like?
Your consult is free, takes about an hour, and you’ll leave with a plan and a real number.
Schedule a free consultation or call 540-433-8814What to Expect on Your First Visit
We know driving to a new office can feel like a big step, especially if it’s your kid’s first orthodontic visit ever. Your first visit with us is straightforward:
- A real conversation with Dr. G.Not a tech, not a sales pitch. She’ll examine your or your child’s teeth, take a look at the bite, and talk through what she sees.
- A quick digital scan.Our iTero scanner takes a 3D model of your teeth in minutes. No molds, no gagging.
- Clear treatment plan and cost.You’ll leave knowing what treatment looks like, how long it takes, what insurance covers, and what your monthly payment options are.
- Same-day start, if you want it.If treatment makes sense and you’re ready, we can often place braces or start Invisalign that same day.
Plan on about an hour for the visit. Coffee, water, and Wi-Fi are available for parents in the waiting area, and Jerry will likely make an appearance.
Read more about your first visit
Meet Dr. Julia Giardina
Dr. G’s credentials are the real deal:
- Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
- Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) from Virginia Commonwealth University
- Specialized research in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea screening
- Junior Director of the Virginia Association of Orthodontists
- Active in continuing education and orthodontic research
Beyond the credentials, Dr. G is the kind of orthodontist who remembers your kid’s soccer position, sponsors a scholarship for graduating high school seniors in our community, and makes orthodontic appointments something patients actually look forward to.
Treatment Options for Every Smile in Elkton
We offer a full range of treatment options, so you can pick what fits your life and your budget.
Traditional Metal Braces
Modern, smaller, and more comfortable than the braces you may remember. Reliable for nearly any orthodontic case, and patients love picking colors for their bands. Great for kids and teens who want to switch up their look between appointments. Learn more about traditional metal braces.
Champagne Gold Braces
A unique twist on traditional braces. The brackets are a soft champagne gold tone that blends more naturally with tooth color than silver. Same effectiveness, a little more personality. See our gold braces option.
Clear Ceramic Braces
Tooth-colored brackets that blend in with your smile. A favorite of older teens and adults who want braces without the metal look. Just as effective as traditional braces, just less noticeable in photos. See our ceramic braces option.
Damon Braces
Damon braces hold the wire with a small sliding door built into each bracket, so there are no elastic ties to change. The system uses lighter forces and less friction to move teeth, which usually means less soreness after adjustments.
Damon patients usually come in every 6 to 12 weeks instead of every 4, so Elkton families make fewer trips down Route 33 over the course of treatment. Damon Clear brackets give you the same system in a tooth-colored option. Learn more about Damon braces.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Removable, nearly invisible, and great for people with active lifestyles. Take them out for meals, brush and floss normally, and pop them back in. We offer Invisalign for adults and Invisalign Teen, which has built-in wear indicators so parents and Dr. G can track compliance.
Not sure which option fits your family?
Three quick questions. No email, no sign-up, just a starting point to bring to your free consult.
Who is the appointment for?
What matters most to you?
Anything else going on?
Got it, thank you!
Our front desk will reach out to set up your free consult. If you’d rather not wait, call us at 540-433-8814.
Specialized Care You Won't Find at Every Practice
Airway Orthodontics & Sleep Apnea Screening
Dr. G's research background makes this part of our practice unusual. Crowded teeth and narrow jaws can be more than cosmetic. They can be linked to obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing in kids and adults. Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, bedwetting, and even ADHD-like symptoms can sometimes trace back to airway issues.
Dr. Giardina's residency at VCU focused on screening tools for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, and she screens for these signs at every consultation. If your child snores or always seems tired even after a full night's sleep, it's worth a conversation. Read more about airway orthodontics and sleep apnea treatment.
Early Treatment (Phase 1) for Kids
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child get an orthodontic checkup by age 7. Most don't need treatment yet, but some do, and catching issues early can save you bigger problems later.
We offer free monitoring visits through our Kids Club program, so your child gets seen every 6 to 12 months until they're ready for treatment. No pressure, no charge, just expert eyes on their development. Learn about Phase 1 treatment.
In-House Soft Tissue Laser
We offer in-house gum recontouring and soft tissue exposure using a soft tissue laser. Less discomfort, faster healing, and no separate referral to another specialist. Learn about laser procedures.
Is your child due for a first checkup?
The AAO recommends a first look by age 7. It's free, and if it's not time yet, we'll simply keep an eye on things.
Book my child's free consult or call 540-433-8814Orthodontic Care for Every Age in Elkton
For Children (Ages 7 to 11)
We see kids from Elkton Elementary, McGaheysville Elementary, and surrounding schools. Early evaluation lets us spot issues like crossbites, narrow jaws, or harmful oral habits before they become bigger problems. And we make the visit fun. Between Jerry the therapy dog, the photo booth, and the kids' corner, your child might forget where they are.
For Teens (Ages 11 to 17)
The Elks at Elkton Middle and the Eagles at East Rockingham High are some of our favorite patients. Marching band, basketball, AP classes, whatever your teen is into, we work around their schedule with after-school appointments. Most teens have several treatment options to choose from, including clear ceramic braces and Invisalign Teen.
For Adults
It's never too late. About one in five orthodontic patients today is over 21, and we treat plenty of adults from Elkton, Shenandoah, and Stanley who finally decided to do something about that one tooth, that gap, or that bite that's been bothering them for years.
We see a lot of adult professionals who work at the Merck plant or MillerCoors Distribution Center in Elkton, plus folks from Massanutten Resort and second-home owners who spend weekends in the area. Discreet options like Invisalign and clear ceramic braces mean nobody at work has to know you're in treatment.
Read about adult orthodontics | Read about teen orthodontics
Comparing Your Treatment Options
Wondering which type of treatment might fit your family best? Take a side-by-side look at what we offer.
| Treatment | What it does | Best for | Age range | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Braces | Time-tested fixed brackets and wires that gently move teeth | Most orthodontic cases, kids and teens who like color options | All ages | 12 to 24 months |
| Champagne Gold Braces | Same as metal, with soft gold-toned brackets | Patients who want a subtler, warmer look | Teens and adults | 12 to 24 months |
| Clear Ceramic Braces | Tooth-colored brackets that blend with your smile | Older teens and adults wanting less visible braces | Teens and adults | 12 to 24 months |
| Damon Braces | Brackets with a built-in sliding door, no elastic ties | Families who want fewer adjustment visits | Kids, teens, and adults | Often 12 to 18 months |
| Invisalign | Removable, nearly invisible aligners worn 20 to 22 hours a day | Mild to moderate cases, busy adults, responsible teens | Teens and adults | 6 to 18 months |
What We Won't Do
A lot of Elkton parents tell us they appreciate what we don't push. So:
We won't recommend treatment your child doesn't need.Plenty of kids we evaluate aren't ready for braces yet, and that's a totally valid answer. We'll put your child in our free Kids Club monitoring program and check in every 6 to 12 months.
We won't pressure you to start same day.Most patients do choose to start treatment the day of their consult because it saves a second trip into town and gets them into their new smile sooner. But it's always your call. If you want to think it over, talk to a spouse, or check with insurance first, that's perfectly fine.
We won't surprise you with hidden fees.Your free consultation includes the full cost breakdown. The number we quote is the number you pay.
We won't talk down to you.Dr. G explains things in plain language, answers questions without rushing, and treats parents like partners in their child's care.
See Real Results
Want to see what orthodontic treatment actually looks like start to finish? Browse before-and-after photos from Dr. Giardina's patients across the Shenandoah Valley.
What Elkton Area Families Are Saying
“It's difficult at times to find a business you trust, but we put our full trust in this team! Their professionalism is unmatched and we love seeing weekly progress!”
“The whole staff are very kind and sweet. Every time I've brought my sister, we always have an amazing experience, and it's such a positive environment. We appreciate everything they always do for us.”
“Everyone was nice and very polite! I just know my Invisalign experience is going to be amazing!!!”
Easy Access from Elkton
We're conveniently located in Harrisonburg, an easy drive west on Route 33 and a short trip from most parts of Elkton.
- ElktonHead west on Route 33 (Spotswood Trail)
- McGaheysvilleAbout 4 miles in
- Massanutten Resort areaRoute 33 curves around the south end of the mountain
- Penn LairdContinue west into Harrisonburg
- Giardina Orthodontics2505-A Evelyn Byrd Ave., just off Route 33
From Elkton: Take Route 33 West (Spotswood Trail) toward Harrisonburg. You'll pass through McGaheysville (about 4 miles), continue past the Massanutten Resort area, then through Penn Laird. Once you reach Harrisonburg, our office is just off Route 33 at 2505-A Evelyn Byrd Avenue. Plan on about 15 to 20 minutes door to door, depending on traffic and where in Elkton you're starting.
Communities we serve near Elkton:
- Elkton22827
- McGaheysville22840
- Penn Laird22846
- Shenandoah22849
- Stanley22851
- Massanutten22840
- Grottoes24441, just south
- Harrisonburg22801
Visit Our Office
Giardina Orthodontics2505-A Evelyn Byrd Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone540-433-8814
Hours
Flexible Payment Options
We work hard to make orthodontic treatment affordable for Elkton families:
- In-network with Delta Dental
- Filing available for all major insurance plans
- 0% interest in-house financing
- CareCredit accepted for low monthly payments
- HSA and FSA payment options
- Free initial consultations
- Transparent pricing with no surprises
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Giardina Orthodontics from Elkton, VA?
Our Harrisonburg office is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from Elkton via Route 33 West, depending on which part of town you’re starting from. Most Elkton patients find the drive easy and worth it for Board-Certified care, especially because we offer same-day braces and flexible appointment scheduling.
Do you treat kids from Elkton schools?
Absolutely. We see patients from Elkton Elementary, Elkton Middle School, East Rockingham High School, and surrounding schools throughout eastern Rockingham County. We schedule appointments around school hours when possible, with after-school slots available.
When should my Elkton child have their first orthodontic checkup?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Most kids don’t need braces that early, but evaluation lets Dr. G catch potential issues like crossbites, narrow jaws, or crowding before they get bigger. Our consultations are free, and our Kids Club monitoring program is also free for kids who aren’t quite ready for treatment yet.
Do you offer Invisalign for Elkton patients?
Yes. We offer Invisalign for both teens and adults. As a certified Invisalign provider, Dr. Giardina has successfully treated many patients from Elkton and surrounding areas with clear aligners. They’re a great option for active teens, working professionals, and anyone who wants a more discreet treatment option.
How much do braces or Invisalign cost?
Cost depends on the complexity of treatment and how long it will take. During your free consultation, we’ll give you a complete cost breakdown, review your insurance benefits, and walk you through payment options. We offer 0% interest financing and work with most major insurance plans. No surprises, no hidden fees. For more detail, see our pages on the cost of braces in Harrisonburg and Invisalign cost.
Can my teen still play sports with braces?
Yes. We provide custom-fitted mouthguards designed to work with braces, so your East Rockingham Eagle can keep playing football, basketball, soccer, or whatever sport they love without compromising their treatment. For Invisalign Teen patients, aligners can be removed during games. Learn more about playing sports with braces.
Does Dr. Giardina screen for sleep apnea?
She does. Dr. G’s research background at VCU focused on screening for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, and she screens at every consultation. If you’ve noticed your child snoring, mouth breathing, or showing signs of restless sleep, mention it during your visit. Sometimes orthodontic treatment can address the underlying airway issue.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we’re in-network with Delta Dental and file claims with all major insurance providers. Our financial team will verify your benefits before treatment so you know exactly what’s covered.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your free consultation today and find out why so many Elkton families make the short drive to Giardina Orthodontics.
Book my free consult or call 540-433-8814