Questions and answers
300 questions our patients ask before, during and after orthodontic treatment with braces, clear aligners and other appliances.
Most asked questions
- How long does orthodontic treatment take?
- Will it hurt after my braces are fitted?
- Which is better – braces or aligners?
- What is the best age to start orthodontic treatment?
- Do I need to wear retainers after orthodontic treatment?
- What foods can't I eat with braces?
- Which braces should I choose – metal, ceramic or sapphire?
- Does it hurt to have braces fitted?
- Is there an age limit for orthodontic treatment?
- How often do I need to see the orthodontist with braces and with aligners?
- Does it hurt to have braces taken off?
- Which is quicker – braces or aligners?
Questions by topic
First consultation and preparation
What to expect at the first appointment, which records and X-rays are needed and how the treatment plan is made – the answers to these questions are collected here.
Braces or aligners: types and choice
Braces, clear aligners, removable appliances and trainers – how they work, how they differ and how to choose the right option for you.
Pain, discomfort and sensitivity
What is normal to feel after your appliance is fitted, how long the discomfort lasts and how you can ease it.
Eating and cleaning
What you can eat and drink during treatment and how to clean your teeth, appliances and retainers properly.
Treatment time and visits
How long treatment takes, how often you will come for check-ups and what decides how quickly the teeth move.
Tooth extraction and IPR
When extracting teeth or stripping (IPR) is needed, what the alternatives are and how the spaces are closed.
Bite, face and jaws
Questions about deep bite, open bite and crossbite, elastics between the jaws, changes in the face and profile, and the link with the jaw joint.
Children and growth
At what age a child should see an orthodontist, what early treatment involves and how expanders for the jaws are used.
- My child has been offered treatment with aligners. Do aligners work for children?
- What is the best age to start orthodontic treatment?
- Can my child have braces before all their baby teeth have been replaced?
- Should I wait until all my child's baby teeth have been replaced by permanent ones before taking them to an orthodontist?
Tongue, breathing and habits
How tongue position, mouth breathing and habits such as thumb sucking affect the teeth and jaws, and when a speech therapist is needed.
Everyday life during treatment
Sport, pregnancy, travel, whitening and other everyday situations – how to combine them with orthodontic treatment.
Teeth, gums and other treatments
Decay, gums, crowns, implants and bonding – how other dental treatments fit together with orthodontics and how to protect your teeth.
Retainers and stable results
How braces are taken off, which types of retainers there are, how long they are worn and how to keep your result.
Problems during treatment
A loose bracket, a poking wire, a broken aligner or an unexpected change to your appliance – see what is urgent and what to do until your next visit.
- I had my braces fitted yesterday and a bracket came off today. Do they come off that easily?
- I'm at the start of my treatment and several brackets have already come off. Whose fault is it?
- If a bracket comes off, could it be because of weak glue?
- The hooks on my side brackets are scratching me. Can they be cut off?