The experienced team at Saint Orthodontics, led by Dr. Sarah Rafo and Dr. Greg Wright, brings specialized orthodontic expertise to patients throughout El Cajon and the surrounding communities. With their combined knowledge in creating beautiful, healthy smiles, these skilled orthodontists have built a reputation for delivering personalized treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs. Located on Navajo Road, Saint Orthodontics has become a trusted destination for families seeking comprehensive orthodontic care, from traditional braces to modern alignment solutions. Their commitment to clinical excellence and patient education ensures that every individual receives the highest quality treatment in a welcoming environment.
Why We Love Practicing in El Cajon
El Cajon, meaning “the box” in Spanish, was named by early Spanish explorators who described the valley’s box-like shape surrounded by hills and mountains. Founded in 1876 and incorporated in 1912, this vibrant city began as an agricultural community known for its grape vineyards and olive groves. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s transformed El Cajon into a thriving commercial hub, attracting settlers who recognized the valley’s fertile potential and strategic location.
Today, El Cajon stands as the second-largest city in San Diego County, home to over 100,000 residents who enjoy year-round sunshine and a diverse, multicultural atmosphere. The city has evolved into a dynamic urban center while maintaining its small-town charm, featuring revitalized downtown areas, cultural festivals, and easy access to both mountain trails and coastal beaches just minutes away.
What makes El Cajon truly special is its strong sense of community and rich cultural diversity, creating a welcoming environment where families can put down roots and thrive for generations to come.
La Mesita Park near Saint Orthodontics
Did you know that La Mesita Park in La Mesa, CA, has earned an impressive 4.6-star rating from over 1,003 visitors who love its unique combination of traditional sports courts and modern skate facilities? This beloved neighborhood recreation park at 8855 Dallas Street has become a local hub where tennis players, skateboarders, and families with young children all share the same welcoming space.
When you visit La Mesita Park, you’ll find multiple well-maintained tennis courts that host everything from casual weekend games to organized leagues, alongside a dedicated skate and BMX area where kids and teens perfect their tricks on ramps and rolling features. The park’s compact layout means you can easily supervise children at the modern playground while keeping an eye on older kids at the skate zone—all without walking more than a few minutes across the grounds.
What makes this La Mesa park special is how it serves multiple generations simultaneously. Families spread blankets on the open turf for picnics, fitness enthusiasts use the courts and green spaces for workouts, and the community gathers under shaded areas for relaxation. The convenient on-site parking lot off Dallas Street makes it easy to drop in for a quick visit or spend an entire afternoon enjoying the facilities.
As part of La Mesa’s network of “gorgeous city parks,” La Mesita reflects the city’s commitment to family-oriented recreation and maintaining accessible community spaces that bring neighbors together. Just like how Saint Orthodontics believes in creating healthy smiles for the whole family, La Mesita Park offers something for everyone—whether you’re perfecting your serve, landing your first skateboard jump, or simply watching your children play.
Meet Their Orthodontists
At Saint Orthodontics, patients are welcomed into a practice built on clinical excellence, personalized care, and a genuine commitment to the El Cajon and San Diego communities. Their board-certified orthodontists combine advanced training with a warm, patient-centered approach to help every individual achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
Dr. Sarah Rafo: A San Diego native and Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Rafo brings a warm, down-to-earth manner to her comprehensive orthodontic care, creating individualized treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs with both braces and Invisalign options.
Dr. Greg Wright: As a board-certified orthodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Wright is dedicated to providing high-quality orthodontic evaluations and treatments for patients of all ages, offering expertise in both traditional braces and clear aligner therapies like Invisalign.
Comprehensive Orthodontic Services
Saint Orthodontics, located at 2752 Navajo Road in El Cajon, is dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care that transforms smiles and improves oral health. The practice specializes in a comprehensive range of teeth straightening and cosmetic orthodontic services designed to meet the unique needs of patients at every stage of life.
For patients seeking discreet treatment options, Saint Orthodontics offers multiple clear aligner solutions including Invisalign and Angel Aligners. These virtually invisible orthodontic systems straighten teeth without the appearance of traditional metal braces, making them ideal for adults and teens who want to improve their smiles while maintaining a natural look. Invisalign for teens is specifically designed to accommodate the unique dental development needs of younger patients, featuring special compliance indicators and room for erupting teeth.
The practice provides comprehensive adult orthodontics, recognizing that it’s never too late to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Adult patients benefit from treatment plans tailored to their specific concerns, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. For those who require more traditional approaches or have complex alignment issues, Saint Orthodontics offers conventional braces that effectively correct a wide range of orthodontic problems. In cases where jaw alignment issues require more than tooth movement alone, the practice provides surgical orthodontics, coordinating orthodontic treatment with oral surgery to address skeletal discrepancies and achieve optimal functional and aesthetic results.
Every treatment journey begins with a thorough orthodontic consultation, where the practice evaluates dental health, discusses treatment goals, and develops a personalized care plan. The practice utilizes the iTero digital scanner to create precise digital impressions, eliminating the discomfort of traditional impression materials while providing highly accurate treatment planning. Once active treatment is complete, retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the beautiful results achieved, preventing teeth from gradually shifting back to their original positions.
To complement orthodontic treatment and enhance smile aesthetics, Saint Orthodontics also offers professional teeth whitening services. This cosmetic treatment brightens and whitens teeth, helping patients achieve not only straight teeth but also a radiant, confident smile.
Why Choose Saint Orthodontics
Choosing Saint Orthodontics means selecting a practice that prioritizes both advanced technology and patient-centered care throughout every stage of treatment.
The practice embraces cutting-edge digital technology to enhance the patient experience from the very first visit. Using the iTero digital scanner, Saint Orthodontics eliminates the discomfort of traditional impressions while providing precise treatment planning. This modern approach ensures accurate results and allows patients to visualize their future smile before treatment even begins.
Saint Orthodontics maintains a patient-focused philosophy that recognizes every individual has unique needs and concerns. The team takes time to understand each patient’s goals and lifestyle, crafting personalized treatment plans that fit seamlessly into their daily routines. From the initial consultation through the final result, patients receive attentive care in a welcoming environment where questions are encouraged and comfort is paramount.
But What Are Their Patients Saying?
There’s no better way to learn about Saint Orthodontics than hearing directly from their happy patients!
“We had been patients of Dr. Rothstein since 2018, so when he retired and Dr. Rafo took over, we were concerned about the transition, and level of care. Dr. Rafa and her staff made us feel welcome right away. Their professionalism, customer service, and expertise in the field set us at ease. As I write this review, my daughter is currently getting her braces removed and her journey with Saint Orthodontics is coming to an end. I honestly wish we would’ve here from day one, but am grateful for the past 2 years and the support we received.” – Jen Jabbour (5 stars)
“We had an absolutely wonderful experience at the orthodontic office during my son’s recent appointment on 10/09/2025 From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth, professionalism, and genuine care. Angie, the orthodontic assistant, was amazing. She was kind, reassuring, and worked with such precision and care. Her friendly demeanor helped ease any nerves, and she made the entire experience smooth and pleasant. A special mention must go to “Meirna”, the receptionist, who is the heart of the front office. She is the epitome of professionalism—efficient, organized, and always ready to help with a super sweet smile that brightens the room. Her kindness and grace make every visit feel welcoming and stress-free. She goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly, and her positive energy is truly contagious. We are so grateful to have found such a dedicated and compassionate team. I highly recommend this office to anyone seeking top-tier orthodontic care in a warm and friendly environment!” – Ziad Abou (5 stars)
Schedule an Appointment with Them Today!
If you’re ready to explore orthodontic treatment for yourself or your family, Dr. Sarah Rafo and Dr. Greg Wright at Saint Orthodontics in El Cajon are here to help. Their team specializes in creating personalized treatment plans that fit your unique needs and lifestyle, whether you’re considering traditional braces, clear aligners, or other orthodontic solutions.
Getting started is simple. Visit their website or schedule a consultation to learn more about how Saint Orthodontics can help you achieve the confident smile you’ve been looking for. The team looks forward to welcoming you to their practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iTero digital scanner and how does it improve the orthodontic experience?
The iTero digital scanner is a cutting-edge technology used at Saint Orthodontics that eliminates the need for traditional impression materials. Instead of using uncomfortable trays filled with molding compounds, the digital scanner creates precise digital impressions of your teeth. This modern approach provides highly accurate treatment planning while making the experience much more comfortable for patients. Additionally, the iTero scanner allows you to visualize your future smile before treatment even begins, helping you understand what results to expect from your orthodontic journey.
What clear aligner options does Saint Orthodontics offer besides traditional braces?
Saint Orthodontics provides multiple clear aligner solutions including Invisalign and Angel Aligners for patients seeking discreet treatment options. These virtually invisible orthodontic systems straighten teeth without the appearance of traditional metal braces, making them ideal for adults and teens who want to improve their smiles while maintaining a natural look. The practice also offers Invisalign specifically designed for teens, which features special compliance indicators and accommodates the unique dental development needs of younger patients, including room for erupting teeth.
What is surgical orthodontics and when is it necessary?
Surgical orthodontics is a specialized treatment option provided at Saint Orthodontics for cases where jaw alignment issues require more than tooth movement alone. This approach coordinates orthodontic treatment with oral surgery to address skeletal discrepancies and achieve optimal functional and aesthetic results. While traditional braces and clear aligners can correct tooth positioning, some patients have underlying jaw structure issues that need surgical intervention combined with orthodontic care to achieve the best possible outcome for both appearance and function.
Why are retainers important after completing orthodontic treatment?
Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining the beautiful results achieved through orthodontic treatment at Saint Orthodontics. After active treatment with braces or clear aligners is complete, retainers prevent teeth from gradually shifting back to their original positions. Without proper retainer use, teeth have a natural tendency to move over time, which could compromise the straight smile you worked so hard to achieve. Retainers are an essential part of ensuring your orthodontic investment lasts for years to come.
Does Saint Orthodontics provide orthodontic care for adults, or is it just for children and teens?
Saint Orthodontics provides comprehensive adult orthodontics, recognizing that it’s never too late to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. The practice creates treatment plans specifically tailored to adult patients’ unique concerns, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. Adult patients benefit from the same range of treatment options as younger patients, including clear aligners like Invisalign and Angel Aligners, traditional braces, and other orthodontic solutions. Both Dr. Sarah Rafo and Dr. Greg Wright are board-certified orthodontists who provide high-quality orthodontic evaluations and treatments for patients of all ages.