If you run an orthodontic practice, you know how important it is to keep your appointment calendar full. But great care alone isn’t always enough, especially when people are searching online for providers. That’s where working with an orthodontist PPC company can make a big difference.

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising helps you get noticed by the right people at the right time. Instead of waiting for patients to find you, PPC puts your name at the top of search results—where they’re already looking. In this blog, we’ll break down what PPC is, how it works for orthodontists, and how the right strategies can help you book more appointments.
What Is PPC and Why Should Orthodontists Use It?
PPC stands for Pay-Per-Click, which is a type of online advertising. In simple terms, you create an ad and only pay when someone actually clicks on it. These are the ads you often see at the very top of Google when you search for things like “braces near me” or “Invisalign in [your city].”
So, why is PPC so useful for orthodontists?
Because it helps you reach people who are already looking for your services. If someone types “orthodontist consultation near me” into Google, there’s a good chance they’re ready to make an appointment. PPC puts your practice front and center in those search results—right when potential patients are ready to take action.
Does PPC really work for orthodontists?
Yes, absolutely. It’s one of the fastest and most targeted ways to bring in new patients—especially when the ads are set up and managed properly. While SEO (search engine optimization) takes time, PPC gets your practice in front of searchers immediately.
But here’s the thing: just setting up an ad isn’t enough. If it’s not done right, you could end up spending money without getting new appointments. That’s why working with an experienced orthodontist PPC company is such a smart move. They know what works—and what doesn’t—for practices like yours.

Why Work with an Orthodontist PPC Company?
A PPC company that focuses on orthodontists understands your world. They know the types of services you offer, the patients you want to attract, and the best way to turn a search into a scheduled appointment. Here's how they help:
1. They Know Which Keywords Bring in Patients
When someone searches for a service online, they use keywords. These are the words and phrases people type into Google—like:
- “Invisalign near me”
- “Braces for teens in [your city]”
- “Orthodontist consultation”
An orthodontist PPC company does the research to figure out which keywords are most likely to turn into real appointments. They also know which keywords not to target—like “orthodontist salary” or “orthodontic school”—so you don’t waste money on clicks that won’t lead to new patients.
Why does keyword research matter?
Because it helps you avoid paying for clicks from people who are not actually looking for your services. You only want to show up in searches that are likely to turn into real business.
2. They Focus on the Right Location
Most orthodontists serve a local area. You probably don’t want to show up in search results for someone 100 miles away.
That’s where geo-targeting comes in. A smart PPC company will set your ads to only appear in your service area—like your city, ZIP codes, or nearby neighborhoods. This makes sure your ad dollars go toward reaching people who can actually walk into your office.
Can I run ads in more than one area?
Yes! If you have multiple locations, your PPC campaign can be tailored for each one with separate ads and landing pages for each office.
3. They Build Landing Pages That Convert
Let’s say someone clicks on your ad—now what?
They should land on a page that’s built to convert. That means the page should:
- Load fast on both phones and computers
- Be simple to read and easy to navigate
- Show real patient reviews or before-and-after photos
- Include clear buttons like “Schedule a Free Consultation” or “Call Now”
An orthodontist PPC company knows how to design these landing pages with one goal in mind: turning a curious visitor into a booked appointment.
Do I need a whole new website for this?
Not necessarily. A good PPC company can create individual landing pages just for your ads—without changing your main website.
4. They Keep an Eye on Results—and Keep Improving
A great PPC campaign doesn’t run on autopilot. Things like search trends, competition, and audience behavior can change over time.
That’s why the best orthodontist PPC companies keep tracking your campaign performance. They look at:
- How many people are clicking on your ads
- How many are booking appointments
- Which ads and keywords are working best
- What needs to be changed or improved
By constantly testing and adjusting your campaign, they make sure you get the best return on your investment—and more patients in your office.
How long does it take to see results?
You can usually start seeing traffic and leads within a few days of launching a PPC campaign. Full optimization may take a few weeks, but PPC is one of the fastest ways to increase visibility and appointments.
Smart Pay-Per-Click Strategies That Work
When it comes to PPC advertising, it’s not just about showing up in search results—it’s about getting people to actually book an appointment. That’s the difference between a campaign that just spends money and one that helps your orthodontic practice grow.
The most effective pay-per-click strategies focus on quality, not just quantity. Below are several smart tactics that experienced PPC companies use to turn clicks into real patients. Let’s break them down:
1. A/B Testing Your Ads
Not every ad will perform the same. Sometimes small changes in wording, tone, or even the call-to-action can make a big difference.
With A/B testing (also called split testing), your PPC team will create two or more versions of an ad to see which one gets better results. For example:
- One ad might say: “Schedule a Free Consultation”
- Another might say: “Braces Starting at $99/month”
After running both for a short period, the data will show which one more people click on—or which one leads to more appointment bookings.
Why does A/B testing matter?
Because even tiny changes can lead to better results. The more your ads improve over time, the more value you get from your budget.
2. Using Ad Extensions for Better Visibility
Ad extensions give your Google ad more space and more info. Instead of a simple headline and link, you can add:
- A phone number (so people can call you directly)
- Your business address or a map link
- Extra links to specific services (like Invisalign, early braces, or adult orthodontics)
These extra features make your ad more helpful and stand out more on the results page.
Do ad extensions cost more?
Nope! You don’t pay extra just for having them. You still only pay when someone clicks—but you’re more likely to get that click because your ad looks more complete and trustworthy.
3. Retargeting People Who Didn’t Book Right Away
Not everyone is ready to schedule an appointment the first time they visit your site. Maybe they’re comparing providers. Maybe they got distracted.
Retargeting helps bring those visitors back.
Here’s how it works:
- Someone clicks on your ad but leaves without booking.
- Later, while browsing other websites or using social media, they see a reminder ad for your practice.
- That second (or third) ad helps keep your practice in mind, so when they’re finally ready, they come back to you.
Is retargeting annoying to people?
Not if it’s done right. The goal is to gently remind them—not to flood them with ads. A good orthodontist PPC company will limit how often people see the reminder ad to avoid being pushy.
4. Adding Negative Keywords to Protect Your Budget
Not all searches are worth paying for. Some people are looking for things that have nothing to do with becoming a patient, like:
- “Orthodontist job openings”
- “Free braces programs”
- “Orthodontist salary”
That’s where negative keywords come in. These are keywords that tell Google not to show your ad when someone includes those words in their search.
By adding negative keywords, your PPC company makes sure your ad is only seen by people who are likely to become patients—saving you money and improving your results.
How do you find the right negative keywords?
Your PPC team reviews your search terms regularly. If they notice people clicking on your ad for the wrong reasons, they’ll add those terms to the negative keyword list to stop it from happening again.
5. Scheduling Ads for Peak Hours
People don’t always search for orthodontists during business hours. Many do their research in the evenings or on weekends—when they’re off work and have time to think about healthcare for themselves or their kids.
That’s why it’s important to schedule your ads to appear when your audience is most active. PPC companies use data to find the times when people are most likely to:
- Click on ads
- Visit your site
- Book a consultation
They can set your ads to automatically pause during slow hours (like the middle of the night) and run during high-traffic windows.
Can I run ads 24/7?
Yes, but it’s usually not the best use of your money. Running ads during low-activity times can drain your budget with fewer results. Scheduling helps you spend smarter.
Bonus Strategy: Track Everything and Adjust Often
One of the best parts of PPC is that everything is trackable. You’ll know how many people clicked your ad, how many booked appointments, what time they clicked, and what search term they used. A good orthodontist PPC company checks this data regularly and makes adjustments to improve performance.
They’ll pause low-performing ads, adjust bids, update keywords, and test new ideas—all to make sure you’re getting more out of every dollar.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Orthodontic PPC Campaigns
Pay-per-click advertising can be a powerful tool to grow your orthodontic practice—but only if it's done right. Even small mistakes in your PPC strategy can cost you money and cause you to miss out on new patients.
If you're running ads (or thinking about it), here are some of the most common PPC mistakes orthodontists make—and how to avoid them:
1. Sending People to Your Homepage
One of the biggest mistakes orthodontic practices make is sending ad traffic to their homepage.
Let’s say your ad is about Invisalign. If someone clicks it and ends up on your general homepage, they now have to search around to find more info about Invisalign—or worse, they leave altogether.
Instead, your ad should take people to a dedicated landing page that matches what they clicked on. If the ad is about braces for teens, the landing page should focus specifically on that service.
Why is this important?
Because people are busy. If they don’t find exactly what they’re looking for in just a few seconds, they’ll leave and click on someone else’s ad. That means you just paid for a click that went nowhere.
2. Not Setting Clear Goals
Before you launch any PPC campaign, ask yourself: What do I want people to do after clicking my ad?
Are you hoping they:
- Call your office?
- Fill out a contact form?
- Schedule a consultation online?
Your goal should guide how your campaign is set up. The ad copy, landing page, and even the button people click should all point toward that one goal.
What happens if I don’t set a goal?
Without a clear goal, your campaign won’t be focused. You may get clicks, but they won’t turn into actions. That means your ad budget is being spent without driving real results.
3. Ignoring Mobile Users
These days, most people search for local businesses—like orthodontists—on their phones. If your landing page isn’t easy to use on mobile, you could be missing out on a huge number of potential patients.
Make sure your landing page:
- Loads quickly on mobile devices
- Has large, easy-to-click buttons
- Looks good on small screens
- Makes it simple to call or book an appointment right from the page
How do I know if my site is mobile-friendly?
Try visiting your landing page from your own phone. Is it easy to navigate? Can you read the text without zooming in? If not, your PPC company or web designer can help you make improvements.
4. Not Tracking What’s Working (and What’s Not)
Another common mistake is running a PPC campaign without checking the data.
The beauty of PPC is that everything is measurable—you can see how many people clicked, how many booked appointments, what time they clicked, and which search terms they used. But if no one’s looking at the data, how can you know what’s working?
A professional orthodontist PPC company will regularly track your campaign’s performance and make changes to improve results.
What kind of changes might they make?
They might stop running low-performing ads, change up the keyword list, tweak the landing page, or shift the ad schedule based on what’s getting the most bookings.
What Results Can You Expect from a Well-Managed PPC Campaign?
When your PPC campaign is set up the right way—and you avoid the common mistakes listed above—you can expect some great results for your orthodontic practice. Here’s what a well-managed campaign can do:
More Calls and Online Bookings
Your ads are shown to people who are actively searching for orthodontic services. This means more of them are likely to call your office, fill out your contact form, or schedule an appointment through your website.
Lower Cost Per New Patient
PPC done right is all about efficiency. You’re not paying just to get seen—you’re paying to get results. With smart targeting, clear goals, and continuous testing, your cost per patient can go down over time as your campaign improves.
Better Local Visibility on Google
PPC puts you right at the top of search results—above the organic listings. This is especially helpful if your website is still climbing the ranks through SEO or if you're in a competitive market with other orthodontists nearby.
Trackable Results You Can Measure
You don’t have to guess whether your PPC ads are working. You’ll have access to real data showing:
- How many people saw your ad
- How many clicked
- What they did after clicking
- How much each lead cost you
This data makes it easier to adjust your strategy and get better results over time.
How soon will I see results?
You may start getting clicks and inquiries within the first few days of launching your campaign. It usually takes a few weeks to fully optimize, but PPC is one of the fastest ways to generate new patient leads online.
Do I need to keep running PPC forever?
Not necessarily. Some practices use PPC long-term to keep a steady stream of leads, while others use it during slower seasons or for special promotions. It depends on your goals and your budget. A good PPC company will help you figure out what makes the most sense for your practice.
How THAT Agency Can Help You Succeed
At THAT Agency, we know how to create PPC campaigns that get results. We’ve helped businesses across many industries—including healthcare—grow through digital ads. For orthodontists, that means:
- Picking the best keywords for your area
- Designing landing pages that convert
- Running ads that speak directly to your ideal patients
- Tracking every click, call, and appointment
We take the guesswork out of PPC so you can focus on what you do best—helping people smile with confidence.
Work with an Orthodontist PPC Company That Gets Results
If you’re ready to book more appointments and grow your practice, working with a specialized orthodontist PPC company is the way to go. With the right strategy, you’ll reach more people, fill more time slots, and make the most of your ad budget.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to get started with a custom PPC plan built for your orthodontic practice.