More than straight front teeth
Orthodontic treatment is not simply about aligning the visible front teeth. The clinician considers bite contacts, arch relationships, result stability and whether hygiene can be maintained after treatment.
Orthodontics
Braces and bite correction
Orthodontic care begins with diagnosis rather than simply choosing braces. The clinician assesses tooth position, bite, gum health and plans movement for a functional and stable result.
When to consider a consultation
What an orthodontist evaluates
It is difficult to diagnose a bite problem from a photo alone. Visible crowding is only part of the picture; tooth contacts, jaw relationships and supporting tissues also matter.
Crowded teeth or teeth erupting outside the arch
Large gaps between teeth
Excessive overlap between upper and lower teeth
Asymmetric or uncomfortable bite contacts
Tooth position that makes interdental cleaning difficult
Preparation for complex prosthetic rehabilitation when clinically indicated
Planning
What makes an orthodontic plan useful
Healthy teeth and gums first
Active tooth movement is generally planned after urgent dental disease has been treated and gum health assessed. Untreated caries or active inflammation can complicate orthodontic care.
Planning can be multidisciplinary
Missing teeth, extensive restorations or future prosthetics may require coordination with restorative, prosthetic or surgical dentistry so the final result is planned as a whole.
Stages
How orthodontic treatment progresses
Consultation and initial examination
The orthodontist reviews your concerns and assesses tooth position, bite, gum health and existing restorations. This determines which additional records are needed for accurate planning.
Diagnostic records
When indicated, photographs, digital models or impressions and radiographic studies are used. The diagnostic set should match the clinical question rather than be performed automatically.
Treatment plan
The dentist explains the main problem, possible correction options, treatment sequence, estimated duration, hygiene requirements and factors that may change the plan.
Active treatment and reviews
After an appliance is fitted, regular review visits are needed. The orthodontist monitors tooth movement, adjusts the system and watches gum health and hygiene.
Retention
After active treatment, the result needs to be stabilised. Retainers are used according to an individual wearing schedule.
Oral hygiene
Oral care during braces treatment
Braces do not cause caries by themselves, but they create more plaque-retaining areas. Home-care quality therefore matters for enamel and gum health throughout treatment.
Clean carefully around brackets and along the gumline because appliances create extra plaque-retaining areas.
Use interdental brushes or other tools recommended for your particular appliance.
Do not skip professional hygiene when the orthodontist or dentist recommends it based on plaque and gum condition.
If part of the appliance breaks, feels sharp or injures soft tissue, contact the clinic for instructions rather than altering the system yourself.
Common questions
What to know before treatment
Final cost depends on diagnosis, appliance type, treatment duration, review visits and any additional procedures. A meaningful estimate is prepared after orthodontic diagnostics and treatment planning.
A consultation can be useful for crowding, large spaces, visible asymmetry, an uneven bite, chewing difficulty or when tooth position makes oral hygiene difficult.
Yes. Adults can undergo orthodontic treatment after assessment of teeth, gums, bone, existing crowns, implants and other factors that may influence planning.
There is no single duration. It depends on movement complexity, bite, age, tissue response and attendance at review appointments. An estimated timeline is discussed after diagnostics.
A retention phase follows active tooth movement to help maintain the result. Retainer type and duration are selected by the orthodontist for the individual case.
Start with a bite assessment
At consultation, the orthodontist can explain what needs correction, which records are required and which treatment options may be appropriate for your case.
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