Trusted by the Capitola Community Since 2006

Expert-led orthodontics in capitola for every age and smile

North Coast Orthodontics has proudly served Capitola and the greater Santa Cruz County community for 20 years. Led by husband-and-wife team Dr. Brian Schabel and Dr. Vivian Chan, our locally owned practice is committed to creating a welcoming experience where patients of all ages feel respected, understood, and cared for like family.

We’re also passionate about supporting the community we call home. North Coast Orthodontics has been recognized multiple times as a “Best of Santa Cruz” practice and is proud to stay actively involved in local outreach initiatives and charitable programs throughout the region.

See Our Office

An Orthodontic Office Designed Around Community

North Coast Orthodontics’ Capitola office is conveniently located on 41st Avenue in the heart of Santa Cruz County, making it easy for patients from Santa Cruz, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, La Selva, Watsonville, and surrounding Santa Cruz Mountain communities to access expert orthodontic care close to home. Our office sits next to Whole Foods and directly across from Capitola Mall in one of the area’s most recognized retail corridors, just minutes from some of the area’s most iconic surf spots.

Many of our patients appreciate being able to schedule appointments around school, work, shopping, and everyday errands while enjoying a welcoming office atmosphere. We also have plenty of on-site parking to make every visit as convenient and stress-free as possible.

Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 7:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

What Makes North Coast Orthodontics Different?

From innovative treatment technology and specialized expertise to our long-standing connection to the Santa Cruz community, there are many reasons families throughout Capitola and the Santa Cruz area appreciate Dr. Schabel, Dr. Chan, and the North Coast Orthodontics team:

Trusted Expertise

From advanced technology and evidence-based treatment to being the only Top 1% Invisalign provider in Monterey Bay, we combine exceptional clinical expertise with innovative care to deliver precise, comfortable, and efficient orthodontic treatment for every patient.

Personalized Patient Experience

Every smile begins with a customized treatment plan designed around your goals, lifestyle, and comfort. Artistic smile design, flexible financing, same-day treatment starts, and efficient appointments make orthodontic care easier, more convenient, and personalized from start to finish.

Community Commitment

For decades, North Coast Orthodontics has built lasting relationships through compassionate care, active community involvement, and a family-centered approach. Patients of all ages are welcomed with honesty, professionalism, and a commitment to making every visit a positive experience.

Custom Orthodontic Services for Capitola Families

Since every patient has different needs and goals, we provide customized orthodontic treatment options designed to fit your smile, lifestyle, and priorities.

Modern Braces Treatment

We provide a variety of modern braces treatments to fit different smile goals and preferences, including metal braces, clear braces, LightForce™ custom braces, and self-ligating systems. For many patients, we also offer same-day starts so you can begin treatment right away.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

We provide Invisalign® clear aligners for children, teens, and adults. These custom aligners offer a more discreet and convenient alternative to braces for many patients. To make getting started even easier, we offer same-day digital scans during your complimentary consultation whenever possible.

Early Orthodontics for Kids

Early orthodontic care supports healthy jaw development and improves alignment as kids’ smiles grow, helping to address issues before they become more complex later on. We focus on creating a positive, comfortable experience for kids while building a strong foundation for lasting smile health and function.

Custom Retainers

To protect your smile after treatment, we offer custom Hawley, Essix, and Vivera® retainers. Our team also makes follow-up retainer care convenient with our Retainers for Life Program and repair support. Even if you completed orthodontic treatment somewhere else, we can assist with replacement retainers, repairs, and ongoing smile maintenance.

Other Treatments

Outside of traditional orthodontics, we also offer surgical and pre-surgical orthodontic care, interdisciplinary care, TMJ/TMD treatment, and professional teeth whitening. Through interdisciplinary care, we collaborate with other specialists such as your dentist, oral surgeon, and periodontist to help achieve the best possible treatment outcomes.

Hear from Our Patients

Rita S.

My daughter had a great experience here. She liked using Invisalign and was grateful she had the option to do it in place of traditional braces. The appointments were fast and easy to fit in before school. Overall a great experience.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your fantastic feedback, Rita! We're delighted to hear you had a great experience and that our facility met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you and your kids back soon!

LWD

We just finished up several years of treatment between our two kids with North Coast Orthodontics. Thats means we were visiting the office fairly consistently for around 13 years! All along the way it has felt like more than a Doctor/Patient relationship. Our kids were met with warmth, humor and respect. Both of our children were very anxious at various times over the course of their treatment and every time the doctors and staff always honored what they needed to feel good about the next steps. And, their teeth look amazing!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that both of your children felt supported throughout their treatment. It’s our pleasure to provide a caring environment and achieve such fantastic results. --- North Coast Orthodontics 1830 41st Avenue Capitola, CA 95010 (831) 427-2237 https://northcoastortho.com/

Jennifer B.

We can’t say enough about our experience with North Coast Orthodontics! Doctors Schabel and Chan and their staff were always friendly and kind. They thoroughly explained each step in the process from the braces to the retainers. Our daughter’s smile is stunning! We highly recommend North Coast!😁

Response from the owner:Thank you, Jennifer! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Schabel, Dr. Chan, and our team. It's wonderful to see your daughter's stunning smile. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

jennifer M.

I got braces as an adult. My complimentary visit was nerve wrecking but the team eased my mind and I got braces. It took less than 2 years for my teeth to straighten and I’m blown away. The service with North Coast Orthodontics was exceptional. I highly recommend this place!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team helped ease your nerves and that your braces journey exceeded your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

Chelsea M.

I am 47 years old and I finally got adult braces (Invisalign) and I can’t speak highly enough of my experience with Dr. Schabel, Dr. Chan, and the whole staff at NorthCoast Orthodontics. Everyone is so professional and knowledgeable, the office is clean and relaxing. You can tell the employees are taken care of because everyone seems happy and helpful. The cost of everything was much cheaper than the other two quotes I got from local orthodontists and the best part was how willing they are to work with your finances. This flexibility combined with how comfortable I felt in the office made the experience amazing. It truly feels like they are here to help people and we’re lucky to have them in our community.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Chelsea, for your wonderful feedback! It’s great to hear about your positive experience with our team. We strive to provide comfortable care and flexible financial options. Your support means a lot to us!

Luke P.

Friendly staff and paid close attention to detail throughout the Invisalign process. Clean and professional office!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Luke! We appreciate your kind words about our attentive staff and clean environment. It's wonderful to know that your Invisalign experience was positive. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!

Cheryl W.

North Coast Orthodontics is great! The staff is really friendly and three of my children have received great care from them. Thank you, North Coast!

Response from the owner:Thank you Cheryl for trusting us with your family's orthodontic treatment. We are lucky to have patients like you all. -Team NCO

Thien M.

North Coast has been helping two of my kids with braces and Invisalign. Drs Chan and Schabel are very kind and have tons of experience. They are flexible and very willing to adjust to our changing needs. Their staff is welcoming, friendly, and professional. I certainly recommend them for your orthodontic needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! It's great to hear that your children have had positive experiences with Drs. Chan and Schabel. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to meet your orthodontic needs.

Ahmad Rezaei M.

We’ve had a great experience with North Coast Orthodontics. My son started his treatment about six months ago, and it’s still ongoing. The team is very caring, professional, and always makes him feel comfortable. The clinic and treatment areas are extremely clean and hygienic. They’re also very accommodating, they’ve fixed his broken braces a couple of times and even squeezed us in the same morning when I called. We truly appreciate their responsiveness and excellent care. Highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Ahmad! We're delighted to hear about your son's positive experience with our caring team. Your appreciation of our responsiveness and clinic cleanliness means a lot to us. We look forward to continuing his treatment!

Oscar R.

I’ve had a great experience so far at North Coast Orthodontics in Santa Cruz with Dr. Schabel and his team. From the moment I arrived, everyone was welcoming, professional, and attentive, which immediately made me feel comfortable. Dr. Schabel took the time to explain the process clearly and made sure my questions were answered, which I genuinely appreciated. Jenny, who helped prepare me for my braces, was kind, patient, and reassuring throughout the appointment. I had the top braces placed today, and the entire visit felt smooth and well organized. It’s clear the team truly cares about their patients and the quality of their work. I’m grateful for the care I’ve received so far and look forward to continuing treatment, including getting the bottom braces in about six months. I would confidently recommend North Coast Orthodontics to anyone considering orthodontic care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Oscar! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Schabel and our team. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We look forward to continuing your treatment!

kaili R.

We have been seeing North Coast for all three kids and have had great treatment for years, consistently. The staff from the front desk to the treatment area are all very friendly & helpful. I appreciate the doctors taking our kids needs into consideration & always working w us.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your family has consistently received great treatment from our friendly team. Your appreciation for our doctors means a lot. We look forward to continuing to serve you!

Michael W.

North Coast and Dr. Schabel have been fantastic helping us navigate through a long process of braces and Invisalign with our two children. We highly recommend and thank them for all their help. The results and smiles are fantastic!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Michael! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're delighted that your children are enjoying their new smiles!

Brooke S.

I had wavered most of my life about whether I should spend the money to fix the spaces in my teeth. I have to say, it was worth every penny—and the time flew by. If you’re on the fence, I highly recommend taking the leap and investing in yourself and your smile. This office is phenomenal, and I’m so thankful for the care they took with my smile. I am forever grateful.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you found value in your investment and appreciated our team's care. Your smile transformation is our priority, and we’re grateful for your trust!

Rob H.

This office has been very kind, friendly and flexible with scheduling. Both of my kids have gone here and have been happy with their treatment.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your kids have had positive experiences with us. Our team is committed to providing friendly and flexible care for all our patients.

Jessica Z.

We had a great experience with NorthCoast Orthodontics! Highly recommended. We had 2 kids with Invisalign and 2 different experiences of ensuring they are using them appropriately. Overall, we are very happy with Invisalign and NorthCoast!

Response from the owner:Thank you, Jessica! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experiences with Invisalign and our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to continuing to support your family's orthodontic journey!

Get To Know the Doctors Who Put You First

Behind North Coast Orthodontics is a team committed to making every visit efficient, comfortable, and uplifting while treating each patient like family from the very first appointment.

Dr. Brian Schabel

Known for his artistic approach, Dr. Schabel brings years of experience, published research, and memberships in leading dental and orthodontic organizations to North Coast Orthodontics. He’s lived in Santa Cruz since 1989, allowing him to bring his deep local roots to every patient interaction.

Dr. Vivian Chan

Dr. Chan is admired for her thoughtful care and dedication to evidence-based treatment. She has even presented nationally recognized research on temporomandibular joint disease in women at the American Association of Orthodontists International Conference.

The North Coast Orthodontics Dream Team

Supporting Dr. Schabel and Dr. Chan is an incredible group of people who uphold the values of our practice by taking the time to get to know each patient, answer questions honestly, and provide compassionate support throughout every stage of your treatment journey.

Experience Exceptional Orthodontic Care in Capitola Today

At North Coast Orthodontics, we’re proud to provide world-class orthodontic care that reflects the values of the Santa Cruz community: honest guidance, advanced expertise, and genuine relationships built on trust. Whether you’re exploring braces, Invisalign, early orthodontic treatment, or simply looking for a trusted second opinion, our team is here to help.

Contact our Capitola office today to schedule your complimentary consultation and discover why families throughout Santa Cruz County have trusted North Coast Orthodontics for 20 years.