Orthodontist in Watsonville, CA
Serving Watsonville, Freedom, Corralitos, Gilroy, Moss Landing, and all of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties. Free exam. No insurance needed.
4.9 ★ | Free Consultation | $0 Down Options | Same-Day Start Available
1970 Freedom Blvd, Freedom, CA 95019 | (831) 750-3969 | watsonville@wowsmiles.com | Monday to Friday: 8:15 AM to 5:00 PM
Orthodontic Services at Our Watsonville Office
Everything from a child's first orthodontic check to Invisalign for adults, all at one location on Freedom Boulevard.
Metal braces
Invisalign
Clear21 Braces
Early Treatment
Teen orthodontics
Adult Orthodontics
Retainers
Same-Day Starts
Free Early Screenings
The Orthodontists at WOW! Smiles Watsonville
Both doctors at WOW! Smiles Watsonville are qualified orthodontic specialists with full residency training beyond dental school. That specialist distinction is what separates this practice from a general dentist offering braces as an additional service.
Full doctor profiles
Dr. Rael Bernstein, DDS
Wits Dental School, South Africa (graduated top of class) | SUNY Buffalo Orthodontic Residency | Clinical Assistant Professor, University Faculty
Dr. Bernstein founded WOW! Smiles and has grown it into a nine-location practice across California. He has lectured nationally to fellow orthodontists on self-ligation techniques and early interception treatment, which means the clinical approach at every WOW! Smiles location including Watsonville reflects genuine deep expertise.
His promise to every patient: the most current and effective orthodontic methods in an environment that is genuinely energetic and welcoming. A great result and a great experience should come together.Outside the office: go-kart racer, snowboarder, fitness enthusiast, and devoted to his wife Debbie and their two daughters.
Dr. Eric Wu, DDS
University of Pennsylvania, Dental Training | University of Pittsburgh, Orthodontic Residency | UCLA, Advanced General Dentistry | Certified Pitts Masters Instructor | Founding Member, uLab | 20-plus Years of Bay Area Practice
He has taught at Roseman University of Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, and UNLV, lectures internationally on digital orthodontics, and worked closely with the Stanford Airway Team during his years in Palo Alto. He is passionate about early orthodontic airway treatment and its role in supporting healthy development in children.
Outside the office, Dr. Wu enjoys time with his two children, Misa and PJ, and is excited to bring this level of care to patients across Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Peninsula.
WOW! Smiles on Freedom Boulevard: Serving Three Counties
WOW! Smiles brings specialist orthodontic care to the Watsonville and Freedom area, serving patients from all three surrounding counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara. The office sits on Freedom Boulevard in the community of Freedom, which borders Watsonville to the east and puts the practice within easy reach of Aptos, Capitola, Corralitos, Gilroy, Pajaro, and communities down through northern Monterey County.
Watsonville is a bilingual community and the WOW! Smiles team reflects that. Every patient deserves to understand their treatment fully in the language they are most comfortable with. The team serves patients in English and Spanish throughout the entire treatment process, from the first consultation through the final retainer fitting.
Our Pitts21 self-ligating metal braces move teeth faster and require fewer appointments than conventional brackets. Invisalign for teens and adults is planned by specialist orthodontists and gives the flexibility that working adults in a busy agricultural and service economy genuinely need. The WOW! Growth Guidance Program monitors your child's development at no cost. Most major PPO insurance plans are accepted with claims filed on your behalf.
See what treatment outcomes look like in the before and after gallery. Get answers before your first visit in the orthodontic info center.
Three Reasons Watsonville Families Choose WOW! Smiles
What Watsonville Families Are Saying
Patients from Watsonville, Freedom, Corralitos, and across Santa Cruz County share their WOW! Smiles experience.
It is really nice to not be insecure when I smile. It boosts my confidence every day. WOW! Smiles changed how I feel about myself.
Isic | WOW! Smiles Patiento
Dr. Wu is the kind of orthodontist who makes you feel like your child is his only patient. He explained everything so clearly at the first visit and the level of expertise he brings to every appointment is remarkable. We could not be happier with how treatment is going.
Watsonville Parent | Googlet
I am an adult who has wanted braces for years but kept putting it off because of cost. The $0 down financing and the monthly payment options here made it completely doable. The team is warm, the process was smooth, and I am already seeing results.
Santa Cruz County Patient | Google
The same-day start was the thing that finally got me to book. I did not want to make two separate trips. Came in for the consultation, walked out with braces the same afternoon. The team was great from start to finish.
Freedom, CA Patient | Google
Why Invisalign Makes Particular Sense for Watsonville Adults
More adults in Watsonville and Santa Cruz County are choosing Invisalign over braces for a combination of practical and professional reasons. Here is what makes it especially well-suited to the way people in this community live and work.
| Invisalign | Metal Braces |
|---|---|
| Clear trays, nearly invisible | Visible metal or ceramic brackets |
| Remove for meals, no restrictions | Food restrictions throughout treatment |
| Check-in every 6 to 10 weeks | Adjustment every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Patient compliance required (20-22 hrs/day) | Works continuously, no compliance needed |
| Ideal for adults and image-conscious teens | Ideal for all ages, especially complex cases |
Orthodontic Care for Every Age in Watsonville and Santa Cruz County
Making Treatment Affordable for Santa Cruz County Families
WOW! Smiles was built on the belief that a confident smile should be within reach for every family regardless of budget. Most standard braces treatment falls around $6,000. Here is how we make that work.
| Option | What It Means |
|---|---|
| $0 down financing | Start today with no large upfront payment |
| 0% interest plans | Fixed monthly payments that fit your actual budget |
| Most PPO plans accepted | We file claims on your behalf throughout treatment |
| All major credit cards | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover |
| Referral Program | Refer a friend who starts treatment and skip a payment |
| $700 off plus $300 same-day discount | New patients who start braces on exam day |
Questions? Call (831) 750-3969 or visit the insurance and finances page.
What to Expect at Your First Visit to WOW! Smiles Watsonville
First visits at WOW! Smiles are free, thorough, and pressure-free. Here is what the appointment actually looks like.
- Welcomed by name: the team greets you and makes every family member feel at home before anything clinical begins
- Full clinical exam: Dr. Wu or Dr. Bernstein evaluates teeth, bite, and jaw development with X-rays taken as needed at no charge
- Clear treatment options: explained in plain language with no jargon, so you know exactly what is recommended and why
- Personalized plan: built around your specific situation and lifestyle, not a one-size template
- Full financial review: cost, insurance benefits, and every payment option covered before any decision is made
- Same-day start available: if you are ready, braces can be placed the same day. One visit and treatment begins
See actual patient results in the before and after gallery before you book.
Getting to WOW! Smiles on Freedom Boulevard
The office is at 1970 Freedom Boulevard in Freedom, CA, which borders Watsonville to the east. Freedom Boulevard runs parallel to Highway 1 and is accessible from multiple directions across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties.
| Coming from | How to get here |
|---|---|
| North via Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos | Take Highway 1 South, exit at Freedom Blvd and head east. We are on the right |
| South via Monterey, Moss Landing, Castroville | Take Highway 1 North, exit at Freedom Blvd and head east. We are on the right |
| East via Corralitos, Gilroy, Morgan Hill | Take Hecker Pass Hwy (CA-152) or Corralitos Road west toward Freedom Blvd |
| West from downtown Watsonville | Head east on Main St or Beach St toward Freedom Blvd, approx 5 minutes |
| South Santa Clara County via Gilroy | Take US-101 South to CA-129 West into Watsonville, then east on Freedom Blvd |
Address: 1970 Freedom Blvd, Freedom, CA 95019
Phone: (831) 750-3969
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About WOW! Smiles Watsonville
Other WOW! Smiles Locations Near Watsonville
WOW! Smiles has nine locations across California. If Watsonville is not the most convenient for you, Salinas and Monterey are the closest alternatives.
- Salinas, CA (831) 443-3814
- Monterey, CA (831) 373-3765
- Soledad, CA (831) 296-1130
- Napa, CA (707) 203-2174
- Vallejo, CA (707) 552-4940
- Santa Rosa, CA (707) 576-1240
- Pittsburg, CA (925) 297-6607
- Ukiah, CA (707) 583-8969
Orthodontist in Monterey CA
Free for new patients
Your WOW! Smile Starts on Freedom Boulevard
A free exam, same-day start option, flexible financing, and two qualified orthodontists with decades of combined experience are waiting for you at 1970 Freedom Boulevard. No insurance required. No referral needed.
No insurance required · Same-day appointments available
Bilingual team · Free X-rays included