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AAO MemberAccepting new patients

Bear Braces

Bear Braces in Waco, Texas, provides orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults.

1120 Lake Air Dr Suite 500, Waco, TX 76710
4.9(693 reviews)
Call Now(254) 449-8938Book OnlineWebsiteDirections
Bear Braces

About Bear Braces

Flat, interest-free pricing and payment plans make Bear Braces a draw for cost-conscious families across Waco, with Dr. Steven Machicek often praised for calmly walking through each treatment decision.

Reviews at this Waco orthodontic practice repeatedly highlight affordable, transparent pricing, including a flat one-set fee and interest-free financing that some families say is worth traveling for. Many households bring multiple children through braces or Invisalign here, and Dr. Steven Machicek is often described as calm and thorough in walking patients through their treatment plans. A smaller number of reviews mention scheduling backlogs and slow responses to urgent issues like broken brackets or wire injuries.

Summary of 200 patient reviews, December 2024–September 2026, updated September 2026

Bear Braces in Waco, Texas, provides orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults.

Dr. Steven Machicek offers traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligner treatment to address a range of alignment and bite concerns. The practice uses digital impression technology with iTero or equivalent intraoral scanners to capture precise imaging for treatment planning. This approach eliminates the need for traditional putty molds and supports more accurate appliance fabrication. Invisalign is available as an alternative to metal braces for patients seeking a less visible orthodontic option. Bear Braces offers complimentary initial consultations to review treatment needs and discuss case-specific recommendations. New patients can schedule appointments through the practice's online booking system. The office accepts most major dental insurance plans, though specific carrier details are not listed. Multiple payment options are available, including flexible payment plans and in-house financing arrangements to help manage treatment costs. The practice has received a 4.9 rating based on 693 Google reviews, reflecting patient feedback on clinical outcomes and service experience. Bear Braces serves patients throughout the Waco area. Treatment recommendations depend on individual clinical findings, age, and orthodontic goals, which are determined during the initial examination.

Treatments offered

InvisalignInvisalign
Braces
Starting from $3,598
Consultation
Free
GuidesHow much does Invisalign cost? →Payment options & financing →

Who They Treat

Bear Braces provides orthodontic treatment for the following age groups:

Children
Ages 6–11
Teens
Ages 12–17
Adults
Ages 18+

Technology & Equipment

Bear 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
headshot

Dr. Steven Machicek, D.D.S.

NPI verified · no bio or photo on file

Lead OrthodontistNPI VERIFIEDAccepting New Patients17 yrs experience

Insurance accepted

6 plans listed
AetnaCignaDelta Dental Medicare AdvantageDelta Dental PPODelta Dental PremierUnited Concordia
Acceptance of most insurance mentioned; patients may benefit from reduced personal costs if they have dental insurance that covers braces.

What patients say

Latest review 7 weeks ago

What patients praise

  • Reviewers often point to interest-free financing and a flat, predictable price as reasons they chose or recommend this practice.
  • Several families describe bringing multiple children through treatment here over time, citing consistency and comfort with the process.
  • Dr. Steven Machicek is described as knowledgeable and easy to talk to, taking time to explain treatment decisions.

Things to know

  • A few reviews describe long waits to get scheduled, including one account of needing weeks to address a broken bracket.
  • Some reviewers report slow responses during emergencies, including delayed callbacks for a wire injury.

Who it suits

  • Cost-conscious families comparing orthodontic pricing
  • Families with several children needing treatment over time
  • Teens and anxious patients

Doctors patients mention

  • Dr. Steven Machicek · 10 reviews
Last 12 months
54 reviews
averaging 4.7★
Owner replies
1% of reviews
Compared with Waco
Higher rated than 74%
of 17 practices we track
Reviews per month
149
Oct 2023Sep 2026
Reviews per month
Oct 20233
Nov 20236
Dec 20235
Jan 20247
Feb 20246
Mar 20243
Apr 20244
May 20242
Jun 20242
Jul 20246
Aug 20244
Sep 20243
Oct 20244
Nov 20247
Dec 202421
Jan 2025149
Feb 202518
Mar 20255
Apr 20253
May 20254
Jun 202510
Jul 202513
Aug 202552
Sep 202549
Oct 20257
Nov 20255
Dec 20257
Jan 202610
Feb 20268
Mar 20262
Apr 202610
May 20260
Jun 20260
Jul 20260
Aug 20261
Sep 20262
Average rating by year
  • 20235.0
  • 20244.7
  • 20254.9
  • 20264.6
1★5★
Treatments patients mention
  • Braces58
  • Invisalign / clear aligners5
What patients talk about
PraiseCriticism
  • Friendly staff51 / 3
  • Great with kids39 / 2
  • The orthodontist25 / 3
  • Scheduling & wait times22 / 4
  • Gentle, comfortable care21 / 1
  • Treatment results20 / 1
  • Cost, insurance & financing19 / 3
  • Clear explanations14 / 2
What patients talk about
ThemePraiseCriticism
Friendly staff513
Great with kids392
The orthodontist253
Scheduling & wait times224
Gentle, comfortable care211
Treatment results201
Cost, insurance & financing193
Clear explanations142

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Recent reviews from Google

4.9
693 reviews
Destiny Price
Destiny Price
2 weeks ago
“

Teeth are not straight and when I brought it to the Dr’s. attention he dismissed me as a patient because he said “I walked out” when I told receptionist I had to leave. Just because they are affordable do not go here. Very unprofessional.

Review from Google

Crystal Sciarrino
Crystal Sciarrino
Edited a month ago
“

Initially when we started our journey with Bear Braces I would have given a 5 for sure. But now they dont have enough doctors to cover their patient load and we have to schedule appointments months in advance. For braces patients that can be a serious issue. We ended up having to either let our daughter have broken brackets/ detached wires or seek help from other orthodontist at another facility. Their pay over time program is amazing but scheduling is horrid....

Review from Google

Jamie Goble
Jamie Goble
5 months ago
“

Two satisfied patients - one adult with Invisalign and one teen with traditional braces! Dr. Machicek and the Bear Braces staff are professional, courteous, & quick. Highly recommend!

Review from Google

Corina Rios
Corina Rios
5 months ago
“

Everyone was friendly and helpful! I was in and out with a quote that is very reasonable

Review from Google

Ricardo Trujillo
Ricardo Trujillo
5 months ago
“

I had a great experience here at Bear Braces, will highly recommend 👍🏽

Review from Google

Read all 693 reviews on Google →

Questions about this practice

What orthodontic treatments does Bear Braces offer?+
Bear Braces offers: Invisalign.
Does Bear Braces accept dental insurance?+
Bear Braces accepts Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental Medicare Advantage, Delta Dental PPO, Delta Dental Premier, and others.
Does Bear Braces offer free consultations?+
Yes, Bear Braces offers a free initial orthodontic consultation. Call (254) 449-8938 or book online to schedule.
Is Bear Braces accepting new patients?+
Bear Braces is currently welcoming new patients in Waco, TX. Call (254) 449-8938 or book online to schedule.
Where is Bear Braces located?+
Bear Braces is located at 1120 Lake Air Dr Suite 500. Get directions: https://maps.google.com/?cid=17475402308493658376&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA
What are the office hours for Bear Braces?+
Bear Braces office hours: Mon 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tue 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Wed 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sat Closed–Closed, Sun Closed–Closed.
Does Bear Braces offer payment plans?+
Yes, Bear Braces offers flexible payment plans to make orthodontic treatment affordable.
Who are the orthodontists at Bear Braces?+
Bear Braces is staffed by Dr. Steven Machicek. The practice is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
What is the patient rating for Bear Braces?+
Bear Braces has a 4.9-star rating based on 693 patient reviews on Google.

Research with AI

ChatGPTPerplexityClaude
1120 Lake Air Dr Suite 500
Waco, TX 76710
Get Directions
(254) 449-8938
bearbraces.com/&y_source=1_NzYxMzM5NzktNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Book Online
info@bearbraces.com
Open in Google Maps
Accepting new patients
Free Consultation
Payment Plans Available
In-House Financing
Online Booking Available

Accessibility & Parking

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
Wheelchair Accessible Parking
Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
CashCredit CardsDebit CardsContactless / NFC
Mon9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SatClosed
SunClosed

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