Consultation with an orthodontist

An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malocclusion and crowded teeth, as well as the correction of jaw alignment. Their services include the placement of braces, aligners, and retainers, as well as monitoring treatment progress and providing ongoing care until the final result is achieved.

An orthodontist helps with: malocclusion (crossbite, open bite, deep bite, etc.), crooked teeth, large gaps between teeth, jaw misalignment, and speech or breathing problems related to the bite.

Before your consultation, you should treat any cavities and gum inflammation and have a professional dental cleaning. This will allow the orthodontist to proceed directly to diagnosis and treatment planning.

During the initial consultation, the orthodontist: examines your bite and teeth, takes a medical history, takes impressions (or scans) of your jaws, orders a CT scan or orthopantomogram, and draws up a preliminary treatment plan.

The most informative is a CT scan (3D tomography). You may also need an orthopantomogram (panoramic X-ray) and a lateral cephalometric X-ray (TCG) of the skull.

You come in for a consultation; the doctor assesses your situation, discusses treatment goals, takes photos, may order imaging tests, and schedules your next appointment — either to have braces fitted or to finalize the treatment plan.

How long will treatment take? What are the options for correcting my bite in my case? Will I need to have teeth extracted or undergo other procedures? What will the result be — in terms of aesthetics and functionality? What are the alternatives to braces?

During regular checkups, the orthodontist: monitors progress, adjusts the archwire or changes the elastics (for braces), takes photos or X-rays to track progress, and answers your questions.

An orthodontist is responsible for accurately diagnosing bite problems, developing a personalized treatment plan, monitoring its progress, teaching the patient how to care for their orthodontic appliances, and ensuring a safe and effective outcome.

An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialized training and focuses specifically on correcting bite issues. They do not treat cavities or pulpitis, but they know how to move teeth into the correct position without harming your health.

The following should raise red flags: the absence of a clear treatment plan, infrequent checkups and lack of follow-up, ignoring your complaints, teeth moving too quickly or painfully, and a lack of visible progress after months of treatment.

A proper bite improves the facial contour, chin, lip shape, and nasolabial folds. The face becomes more symmetrical and expressive, and the profile improves. This is especially noticeable in teenagers and young adults, but positive changes can also occur in adults.