Orthodontics

What falls under orthodontic care

• Crowding, spacing and generally crooked or rotated teeth
• Bite problems: overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite
• Orthodontic relapse and retreatment after earlier treatment
• Alignment performed in preparation for cosmetic dentistry
• Retention planning to keep results stable long-term

How a treatment path is chosen

Two patients with similar-looking crooked teeth can need different treatment if one also has a bite discrepancy and the other doesn't. Choosing between aligners and braces, and deciding whether additional tools like elastics, attachments or expansion are needed, depends on a clinical exam of teeth, gums, bite and jaw function — not simply which system a patient initially asks about. We explain the reasoning behind a recommendation rather than presenting only one option.

Diagnostics beyond a digital scan

A 3D scan is valuable for seeing tooth position and planning tooth movement precisely, but it doesn't replace a hands-on bite exam, a review of jaw function, or photographs that show facial and smile proportions. For some patients, particularly those with suspected skeletal bite discrepancies, additional imaging or a referral for a specialist opinion is part of responsible diagnosis rather than an unnecessary extra step.

Adults versus teens in orthodontic treatment

• Teens and children with active jaw growth have access to growth-guided approaches not available to adults
• Adult cases more often involve prior dental work, missing teeth, or old orthodontic relapse to account for
• Treatment pace and aligner compliance expectations are discussed differently for different age groups
• Retention expectations are explained up front for both groups, since relapse risk doesn't disappear with age

When orthodontics is combined with other dental care

Orthodontic treatment is sometimes a preparatory step for cosmetic dentistry such as veneers or bonding, since aligning teeth first can reduce how much tooth structure needs to be altered later. It can also follow restorative work, such as after an implant or significant dental repair, when surrounding teeth need repositioning to support the new work. Sequencing this correctly, in coordination with your general or cosmetic dentist, is part of planning a complete and stable outcome.

What a course of treatment generally involves

Most orthodontic treatment involves an initial exam and diagnostic records, a plan review where options and realistic timelines are discussed, an active treatment phase with periodic check-ins, and a retention phase once teeth and bite are in their final positions. The length and complexity of each stage varies enormously by case, which is why we avoid quoting a single generic timeline before we've actually examined you.

Why retention is part of orthodontics, not an afterthought

Teeth and jaw relationships continue to experience natural pressure from chewing, speech and soft tissue throughout life, and they can drift even after a technically successful treatment if retention is neglected. Retention planning — what type of retainer, how often it's worn, and how long-term check-ins are scheduled — is built into the treatment plan from the outset rather than decided only once active treatment ends.

Getting started

• You do not need a referral to schedule a consultation
• Bring any prior orthodontic records or retainers you still have
• Be ready to describe what specifically bothers you about your bite or smile
• Ask about every option relevant to your case, not just aligners, if you want the full picture

Questions patients ask