When is the best time to schedule a consultation with the orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist for an evaluation no later than age seven. There are a few orthodontic problems that should be corrected at that age. If your orthodontist determines that no treatment is necessary at that time, he or she will be able to offer you guidance on when to start treatment or when to bring your child back for re-evaluation. Read more on When to Seek Treatment.

Some parents think that a child is not ready for braces until all of the permanent teeth have erupted. While this may be ideal for some patients, other patients may benefit from orthodontic treatment earlier. This early treatment can reduce the severity of some kinds of orthodontic problems, making it easier to obtain a better result when all the permanent teeth have erupted.

For adults, treatment can be started at almost any age as long as the gums and bone surrounding the teeth are healthy.

How often will I have orthodontic appointments?
Getting the braces on may take up to three appointments if special appliances are needed. Once the braces and needed appliances are on, orthodontic appointments are typically scheduled every 4-8 weeks, though there are certain times where more frequent monitoring is needed. In the old days, due to the high stiffness of the wire, the orthodontist would only be able to activate the wire a small amount each visit. This would result in more frequent visits to the orthodontist. However, with the invention of the new superelastic wires, less frequent visits are needed.

Do I need a referral from the general dentist to see the orthodontist?
No. While general dentists can refer patients to the orthodontist, many patients actually are referred to the orthodontist by family and friends of existing patients. Exceptions to this rule may be if you are in an HMO plan that will only allow you to see certain orthodontists.

How do I schedule an appointment for an initial exam?
Since no referral is typically needed to see the orthodontist, simply call the orthodontist’s office directly to schedule an appointment. See Choosing an Orthodontics Provider

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