DR. CHRIS WOOLAVER

Meet Dr. Chris Woolaver Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCDC)

Most orthodontists discover the field after dental school. Dr. Chris Woolaver decided he wanted to be one when he was eleven years old, already a veteran of his own orthodontic journey, born with a cleft lip and palate that meant his first surgery happened at six months old and his last set of braces came off at twenty-nine.

He understands the patient side of the chair in a way few specialists do, because he lived it for nearly three decades. Dr. Woolaver is a Top 1% Invisalign Provider in North America and one of only three Diamond+ tier providers in Arizona, with more than 4,000 completed Invisalign cases.

He has called Ahwatukee Foothills home with his wife Allison, and their children Maya and Ben, since completing his orthodontic residency, and the practice has served this community since 2008.

Education & Training

• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
• MSc in Dentistry
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Orthodontic Residency (3 years)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCDC)

After dental school, Dr. Woolaver completed a full three-year orthodontic residency at the Univeristy of Manitoba, Canada, the 2nd rated top orthodontic residency program in the world.  This additional specialty training  distinguishes an orthodontist from a general dentist who offers braces on the side. That residency is the reason he can offer treatment plans tailored to the most complex cases, including Invisalign for deep bites, crossbites, and cases that other practices refer out.

Dr. Woolaver is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (FRCDC), the recognized specialty certification in orthodontics in Canada. He completed his specialty orthodontic training through the University of Manitoba, one of the world’s leading orthodontic programs. This distinction reflects advanced specialty education and a continued commitment to excellence in orthodontic care.

Top 1% Invisalign Provider — Diamond+ Tier

Align Technology recognizes the small fraction of providers who complete the highest volume of Invisalign cases each year as Top 1% Diamond+ Providers. Dr. Woolaver is one of three providers in Arizona to hold this credential. The distinction reflects:

• More than 4,000 completed Invisalign cases — the experience that lets a provider plan complex movements, predict tooth response, and avoid the case extensions that drive up cost.
• Continuous Align Technology training on the latest aligner sets, attachments, and SmartTrack material updates.
• Leadership in the orthodontic community — Dr. Woolaver leads the ClearSmiles Invisalign Study Club, where he trains other dentists and hygienists on advanced Invisalign techniques. Other providers consult with him on cases they find difficult.

For patients in Ahwatukee, this means access to a level of Invisalign expertise normally found in major metropolitan academic centers.

A Personal Journey That Shaped a Calling

Dr. Woolaver was born with a cleft lip and palate. The first of many surgeries to repair the cleft happened when he was six months old. Orthodontic care became part of his life from the time he could remember, palate expanders, headgear, multiple sets of braces across his childhood and into his twenties. The final braces came off at age twenty-nine.

By the time he was eleven, the choice to become an orthodontist felt obvious. He had spent years on the patient side of the chair watching specialists work, asking questions, learning what made a kind orthodontist different from a rushed one. The decision shaped everything that followed: undergraduate study in biochemistry, then dental school, then a three-year orthodontic residency. He brings that lived patient experience into every consultation today.

Approach to Patient Care

Dr. Woolaver and the team build every treatment plan around the same four principles:

• Specialist-only care. Every case is planned and managed by an orthodontist, not by general staff. When you have a question between visits, an orthodontist answers.
• Modern technology, fewer visits. American Orthodontics self-ligating brackets paired with NASA-developed nickel-titanium wire alloys move teeth more efficiently with less pressure, typically meaning fewer adjustment appointments and shorter total treatment time.
• Transparent pricing. No extension fees if treatment runs past 24 months. No broken-bracket fees. No surprise charges. The total cost of treatment is the number we quote you up front.
• Flexible scheduling. Early-morning, late-afternoon, and Friday appointments mean families don't miss work or school. Online chat and texts are available 24/7.

Beyond the Office — Life in Ahwatukee

Dr. Woolaver, his wife Allison, and their children Maya and Ben moved to Ahwatukee Foothills after he completed his orthodontic residency. The community is genuinely home, not a commute. He coached Little League for years, and now treats former players as adult Invisalign patients. On weekends, you'll often find him trail-running on South Mountain. The practice's $250,000+ in community giving (Little League, YMCA, Festival of Lights, Kyrene District schools) reflects two decades of being part of the same neighborhood his patients live in.

As Seen On

• Sonoran Living — featured orthodontic guest segments
• Phoenix Magazine — recognized provider
• New York Magazine — featured profile

Honors & Recognition

• Top 1% Invisalign Provider in North America (Diamond+ tier — Align Technology)
• One of only 3 Diamond+ providers in Arizona
• Voted "Best Orthodontist" every year since opening in 2008 (source verification pending)
• ClearSmiles Invisalign Study Club — Founder and Lead Instructor

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Woolaver

The first conversation is always complimentary. Whether you're considering Invisalign, weighing braces options for your teen, or wondering if your child is ready for a Phase 1 evaluation, Dr. Woolaver will look at your case personally and give you a clear, honest plan.

Call (480) 240-9393 or Schedule online.