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Valer Dental & Braces
Valer Dental & Braces provides orthodontic care in Albuquerque, NM for children, teens, and adults.
1514 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121
4.7(1,546 reviews)
About Valer Dental & Braces
Braces treatment dominates the feedback, with children often coming back for a second or third sibling and pricing frequently called affordable.
Valer Dental & Braces is a general dental practice that also offers braces, Invisalign, and clear aligners, and braces treatment dominates the feedback, with many families returning for a second or third child. Reviews often mention Dr. Christopher Lo and Dr. Kurtis Lightheart explaining treatment plans and easing anxious kids through procedures, and pricing and payment plans are frequently called affordable. Scheduling and cost handling draw a mix of praise and frustration, with some reviews describing long waits and billing disputes over unexpected charges.
Summary of 239 patient reviews, February 2024–September 2026, updated September 2026
Valer Dental & Braces provides orthodontic care in Albuquerque, NM for children, teens, and adults.
The practice operates from two locations and offers patients a free consultation with online booking available. Treatment options include Invisalign clear aligners and traditional braces. The practice uses digital impression technology for treatment planning, eliminating the need for traditional molds and improving accuracy during the initial assessment process. The clinical team includes Dr. Kurtis Lightheart, Dr. Christopher Lo, and Dr. Erika Belle, who evaluate each patient's alignment concerns and develop individualized treatment approaches based on dental history and orthodontic needs. Valer Dental & Braces accepts dental insurance and welcomes both Medicaid and Medicare patients. Payment plans are available for those who require flexible financial arrangements. The practice has received a 4.7 rating from over 1,500 Google reviews, reflecting patient feedback on service delivery and clinical outcomes. Patients throughout the Albuquerque area can access orthodontic services through either practice location. Treatment suitability depends on individual examination findings, and the free consultation allows prospective patients to discuss their specific concerns with the clinical team before committing to care.
Treatments offered
Braces
Starting from $2,600
Consultation
Free
Who They Treat
Valer Dental & Braces provides orthodontic treatment for the following age groups:
Children
Ages 6–11
Teens
Ages 12–17
Adults
Ages 18+
Technology & Equipment
Valer Dental & Braces uses modern orthodontic technology to deliver precise, comfortable treatment.
3D Digital Scanning
* Pricing shown is an estimate. Contact the practice for a personalized quote.
Orthodontists at this office
provider
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Dr. Kurtis Lightheart
NPI verified · no bio or photo on file
Lead OrthodontistAccepting New Patients
provider
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Dr. Christopher Lo, DDS
NPI verified · no bio or photo on file
NPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients
provider
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Dr. Erika Belle
NPI verified · no bio or photo on file
Accepting New Patients
Insurance accepted
5 plans listedAetnaCareingtonCignaRenaissance DentalUnited Concordia
Valer Dental & Braces accepts Medicaid. Coverage varies by plan tier — confirm with the office before your first visit.
What patients say
Latest review 3 weeks ago
What patients praise
- Many families bring multiple children through braces treatment here over the years.
- Pricing and payment plan options are often described as affordable compared to what patients expected.
- Anxious or young children are frequently described as calming down and even losing their fear of dental visits.
Things to know
- A number of reviews describe long waits past scheduled appointment times and rescheduling that pushed treatment out by months.
- Some reviews report billing disputes, unexpected charges, or insurance issues surfacing after treatment had already begun.
Who it suits
- Families with several kids needing braces
- Cost-conscious families comparing braces pricing
Doctors patients mention
- Dr. Christopher Lo · 15 reviews
- Dr. Kurtis Lightheart · 7 reviews
- Dr. Erika Belle · 2 reviews
- Dr. Green · 3 reviews
Orthodontic care in reviews
Reviews describing braces treatment often mention multiple siblings going through the process, generally over a two-to-three-year span described as smooth, with broken brackets and wires repaired quickly. A few reviews describe retainer delays causing teeth to shift back and one case of reported misalignment after treatment.
- Last 90 days
- 20 reviews
- averaging 4.1★
- Last 12 months
- 123 reviews
- averaging 4.4★
- Owner replies
- 90% of reviews
77
Oct 2023Sep 2026
| Oct 2023 | 0 |
|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | 0 |
| Dec 2023 | 0 |
| Jan 2024 | 3 |
| Feb 2024 | 64 |
| Mar 2024 | 54 |
| Apr 2024 | 77 |
| May 2024 | 9 |
| Jun 2024 | 10 |
| Jul 2024 | 9 |
| Aug 2024 | 8 |
| Sep 2024 | 3 |
| Oct 2024 | 10 |
| Nov 2024 | 10 |
| Dec 2024 | 8 |
| Jan 2025 | 7 |
| Feb 2025 | 4 |
| Mar 2025 | 30 |
| Apr 2025 | 2 |
| May 2025 | 3 |
| Jun 2025 | 12 |
| Jul 2025 | 18 |
| Aug 2025 | 12 |
| Sep 2025 | 30 |
| Oct 2025 | 40 |
| Nov 2025 | 13 |
| Dec 2025 | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | 10 |
| Apr 2026 | 5 |
| May 2026 | 10 |
| Jun 2026 | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | 9 |
| Aug 2026 | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | 4 |
- 20244.7
- 20254.5
- 20263.8
1★5★
- Braces71
- Retainers6
PraiseCriticism
- Friendly staff74 / 12
- The dentist42 / 7
- Scheduling & wait times20 / 20
- Cost, insurance & financing23 / 18
- Gentle, comfortable care31 / 1
- Clear explanations21 / 6
- Great with kids23 / 4
- Responsiveness14 / 7
| Theme | Praise | Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly staff | 74 | 12 |
| The dentist | 42 | 7 |
| Scheduling & wait times | 20 | 20 |
| Cost, insurance & financing | 23 | 18 |
| Gentle, comfortable care | 31 | 1 |
| Clear explanations | 21 | 6 |
| Great with kids | 23 | 4 |
| Responsiveness | 14 | 7 |
Recent reviews from Google
4.7
1,546 reviews
Allison Mordecai
a month ago
Dr Green and Kaydi were AMAZING!! Not only did they take such good care of my teeth but also they are genuinely kind people who want to hear you out and make sure you are comfortable throughout the whole process. All of the staff here are so friendly and sweet it’s like a breath of fresh air! This is the first dentist I’ve been to that’s genuinely made me not want to go anywhere else cause everyone is so kind and committed to doing a good job here.❤️
ana b
a month ago
We had such a wonderful experience here! My boyfriend needed to have a tooth fixed unexpectedly, and it was an emergency. They were able to get us in right away and helped us every step of the way. Everyone was so kind, caring, professional, and understanding, and they truly made a stressful situation feel so much easier. We are incredibly grateful for how quickly they helped us and for the amazing care they provided. Thank you so much to the entire team! We highly recommend this dental office!
Britney Cheromiah
2 months ago
The staff was very welcoming to my son and they made my son feel comfortable knowing that he was anxious and scared for the appointment and what might happen. Im glad we made the switch from valar dental on Eubank to Valar dental on Coors.
Barbara White
2 months ago
I can’t stop thinking about this so I have to leave a review. I took my granddaughter to her appointment here and there were dead cockroaches EVERYWHERE. In the lobby and restroom… Absolutely disgusting in a place that should be sterile. I told my daughter to find her a new dental place immediately, this is disgraceful.
Dominique Torres
2 months ago
I've been taking my Nana to Valor dental as well as myself for a few years now the dentists and the staff are very friendly service is fantastic they have us in and out very helpful and accommodating i recommend if you need a dentist or a family dentist to make an appointment here 🩷
Questions about this practice
What orthodontic treatments does Valer Dental & Braces offer?
Valer Dental & Braces offers: Invisalign, Clear Aligners, Traditional Braces.
Does Valer Dental & Braces accept dental insurance?
Valer Dental & Braces accepts Aetna, Careington, Cigna, Renaissance Dental, United Concordia.
Does Valer Dental & Braces offer free consultations?
Yes, Valer Dental & Braces offers a free initial orthodontic consultation. Call (505) 257-2000 to schedule.
Is Valer Dental & Braces accepting new patients?
Valer Dental & Braces is currently welcoming new patients in Albuquerque, NM. Call (505) 257-2000 to schedule.
Where is Valer Dental & Braces located?
Valer Dental & Braces is located at 1514 Coors Blvd NW. Get directions: https://maps.google.com/?cid=13259407405806371451&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA
What are the office hours for Valer Dental & Braces?
Valer Dental & Braces office hours: Mon 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Tue 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Wed 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Thu 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sun Closed–Closed.
Does Valer Dental & Braces offer payment plans?
Yes, Valer Dental & Braces offers flexible payment plans to make orthodontic treatment affordable.
Who are the orthodontists at Valer Dental & Braces?
Valer Dental & Braces is staffed by Dr. Kurtis Lightheart, Dr. Christopher Lo, Dr. Erika Belle.
What is the patient rating for Valer Dental & Braces?
Valer Dental & Braces has a 4.7-star rating based on 1546 patient reviews on Google.
How long has Valer Dental & Braces been in practice?
Valer Dental & Braces has been providing orthodontic care since 1998, serving the Albuquerque, NM community for over 28 years.
Other Valer Dental & Braces locations
Research with AI
Accepting new patients
Est. 1998
Free Consultation
Payment Plans Available
In-House Financing
Weekend Hours
Evening Hours
Online Booking Available
Emergency Hours Available
Accessibility & Parking
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Parking
Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Free Lot Parking
Paid Parking Available
CashCredit CardsDebit CardsContactless / NFCCareCredit
Mon9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
SunClosed
- Google reviews synced
- SOURCED
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