Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile—but it also comes with plenty of questions. The more you know about your treatment, the smoother your journey will be. Clear communication with your doctor helps you understand what’s happening, why it’s necessary, and how to make the most of your experience.
Here are 15 questions you should ask your doctor before starting orthodontic treatment:
At Dental Depot of Arizona, we believe every orthodontic patient deserves clear communication, personalized treatment, and a positive experience. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already in the middle of treatment, never hesitate to speak up. Together, we’ll create a plan that delivers not only a straighter smile but also the confidence and oral health that last a lifetime.
Here are some of the most important questions to bring up during your orthodontic consultations and checkups, as well as why they matter and what answers you can expect.
Before treatment begins, you should have a clear understanding of what issues your doctor has identified. Problems like crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, or jaw misalignments don’t just affect how your smile looks; they can also impact your oral health and overall function.
Ask your doctor to walk you through your diagnosis step-by-step. They can use X-rays, photos, or digital scans, like the iTero imaging technology, to show you exactly what your mouth, teeth, and jaws look like and what issues they are concerned about. Be sure to ask how severe each issue is, which teeth or areas are most affected, and what risks you could face if you choose not to correct them. Understanding the “why” behind your treatment will help you stay motivated and committed as you move through the process.
Orthodontic care is never one-size-fits-all. There are often several ways to address the same problem, and each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, traditional braces are highly effective for complex cases, while clear aligners like Invisalign® may be better suited for patients who want a more discreet solution.
Ask your doctor to explain every option that applies to your case. Be sure to discuss factors like cost, visibility, comfort, treatment length, and how each method might fit with your lifestyle. For example, if you play sports or a musical instrument, certain types of braces might pose challenges that aligners wouldn’t. Your doctor’s recommendation should be based on your specific needs and goals, but understanding all your choices will help you feel confident in the final decision.
In some cases, orthodontic treatment starts with supportive procedures that prepare your mouth for the main phase of alignment. For younger patients, this could mean using a palate expander to widen the upper jaw and make room for permanent teeth. Other patients might need spacers, extractions, or even minor surgical procedures to address impacted teeth or jaw concerns.
These steps are important because they create the conditions for a safe, effective treatment process. Ask your doctor if any of these procedures will be necessary in your case, and make sure you understand why they’re recommended. It’s also a good idea to discuss what these treatments will involve, how they might affect your timeline, and what kind of recovery or aftercare you’ll need to plan for.
Every smile is different, so treatment timelines can vary widely. Some patients see results in as little as six months, while others may need two years or more to achieve their goals. The severity of your case, the type of appliance you use, and even your body’s natural response to treatment all play a role.
Ask your doctor for both a minimum and maximum estimate of how long treatment might take. It’s also helpful to understand what milestones you’ll hit along the way, like when you’ll switch from one phase of treatment to another. Be sure to discuss factors that can delay progress, such as missed appointments, broken brackets, or inconsistent aligner wear. Knowing what can set you back will help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary extensions to your timeline.
Orthodontic treatment requires regular appointments to monitor progress and make adjustments. The frequency of these visits depends on your specific plan and appliance type. For instance, braces typically need to be tightened or adjusted every 4–8 weeks, while aligner patients may need check-ins every 6–10 weeks to receive their next sets.
Ask your doctor what your schedule will look like from start to finish. Knowing how often you’ll need to come in makes it easier to plan around school, work, and other commitments. You should also ask about the length of each appointment and whether certain visits will require extra time for more complex adjustments or procedures. If scheduling flexibility is important to you, be sure to discuss that early on.
Orthodontic treatment brings big changes to your mouth—and to your daily routine. It’s normal to experience mild discomfort or soreness after adjustments or when starting a new set of aligners. Speech may sound different for a few days, and you might need to adjust to the feeling of appliances in your mouth.
Your doctor can walk you through what’s normal at each stage of treatment and what’s cause for concern. This is also the time to discuss lifestyle changes, like avoiding certain foods that could damage braces or stain aligners. If you play sports, you’ll need to ask about mouthguards and other protective gear. By knowing what to expect, you’ll feel more prepared and less overwhelmed as your treatment progresses.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is more challenging when you’re wearing braces or aligners, but it’s also more important than ever. Food particles and plaque can build up around brackets and wires, increasing your risk for cavities, gum disease, and staining.
Ask your doctor for detailed instructions on how to brush and floss effectively with your specific appliance. They may recommend special tools, like floss threaders, interdental brushes, or water flossers, to make the job easier. You should also ask about whether you need to use fluoride rinses or other products for extra protection. Don’t forget to discuss food guidelines, including what to avoid, what to eat with caution, and how to safely enjoy your favorite treats without damaging your appliance.
Even with the best care, accidents can happen. Brackets can break, wires can poke, or aligners can get lost or damaged. Knowing what to do ahead of time will keep a small problem from becoming a big setback.
Ask your doctor what counts as a true emergency and what can wait until your next scheduled visit. It’s helpful to know whether they offer after-hours support or if there’s a dedicated number to call when issues arise. You should also ask about the cost of repairs and whether emergency visits are included in your treatment package. Most importantly, learn how to spot early signs of trouble, like swelling, persistent pain, or shifting teeth, so you can get help before the issue worsens.
Having a clear picture of your end goal can be incredibly motivating. The doctors at Dental Depot of Arizona use advanced digital imaging tools like the iTero scanner to create a 3D model of your teeth. This technology can simulate how your smile will change over time and give you a preview of the expected results.
Ask if you can see a visual representation of your treatment plan. You may also want to look at before-and-after photos of other patients with similar cases to set realistic expectations. While no simulation can guarantee exact results, these previews can help you better understand the process and feel confident about the journey ahead.
Orthodontic treatment is a significant investment, so it’s important to understand the financial side of your plan. Costs can vary based on the type of appliance, the complexity of your case, and the length of treatment.
Ask for a detailed breakdown of what’s included in the price, such as exams, appliances, adjustments, retainers, and follow-up visits. Be sure to discuss whether retainers or emergency repairs are covered or billed separately. Dental Depot of Arizona offers a variety of flexible payment options, including in-house financing, to make treatment accessible. If you have dental insurance, ask which services are covered and what your out-of-pocket costs might be. Having this information upfront will help you budget and avoid surprises later.
Even with your best efforts, it’s easy to miss spots when brushing and flossing around orthodontic appliances. During your checkups, ask your doctor to evaluate your oral hygiene and point out any areas where you could improve.
They can recommend specific tools or techniques to make cleaning easier and more effective. You should also ask how often you should schedule professional cleanings with your regular dentist during treatment. Staying on top of your oral hygiene will not only protect your teeth and gums but also help ensure your treatment stays on schedule.
Some level of discomfort is expected as your teeth move into new positions, especially after adjustments or when switching to a new set of aligners. However, you shouldn’t have to suffer through significant pain.
Ask your doctor for tips on managing soreness, such as using orthodontic wax, eating soft foods, or rinsing with warm salt water. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be recommended for short-term relief. If discomfort lasts longer than expected or becomes severe, your doctor can help determine whether something needs to be adjusted.
Orthodontic treatment is very safe, but like any medical procedure, it comes with some risks. These can include root shortening, gum recession, sensitivity, or relapse if retainers aren’t worn as directed.
Ask your doctor to explain which risks apply to your case and how they’ll monitor for them throughout treatment. It’s also important to understand what can go wrong if you don’t follow instructions, such as skipping appointments or neglecting to wear elastics or aligners. By staying informed, you can take steps to minimize these risks and ensure a healthy, lasting result.
Your journey doesn’t end the day your braces come off or your last aligner is worn. Without proper retention, teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions.
Ask your doctor what type of retainer you’ll need, how often you’ll need to wear it, and for how long. Some patients may receive permanent retainers, while others will use removable ones. Be sure to discuss what happens if your retainer is lost or damaged and how often you’ll need follow-up visits to monitor your results. This final phase of care is crucial to protecting the investment you’ve made in your smile.
The success of your treatment depends on the skill and expertise of the professionals guiding it. Orthodontic doctors receive specialized training beyond general dentistry, but experience can vary.
Ask about your provider’s credentials, certifications, and experience with cases similar to yours. At Dental Depot of Arizona, our doctors work as part of a collaborative team that includes general dentists, orthodontists, and specialists, ensuring comprehensive care under one roof. Knowing you’re in capable hands will give you peace of mind throughout the process.
At Dental Depot of Arizona, orthodontic treatment is delivered by highly trained doctors and orthodontic specialists who bring together advanced training, real-world experience, and cutting-edge technologies to deliver personalized treatment. Many of our orthodontists are certified in specialty orthodontic residencies and hold elite designations, and Dental Depot is proud to be a Diamond Invisalign Provider, placing us among the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationwide. Using the iTero Element 2 intraoral scanner and other advanced imaging, our doctors can plan complex and simple cases alike with precision, simulate your future smile, and monitor progress in ways that static X-rays alone can’t match.
What makes orthodontic treatment at Dental Depot of Arizona unique is our multidisciplinary approach and ability to provide comprehensive dental care services under one roof, available across multiple convenient locations throughout the Phoenix metro area. From general dentistry and cosmetic/restorative services to orthodontics for kids, teens, and adults, you can get nearly all your dental needs taken care of at the same office. We offer free orthodontic consultations, flexible payment plans, accept a wide range of insurances including AHCCCS/Medicaid, and offer extras like the Smile Protection Assurance Plan, which helps make replacing lost or damaged retainers affordable by allowing purchase of three sets of clear retainers per year for three years under a discounted plan.
At Dental Depot of Arizona, we believe that informed patients have the best treatment experience and the best results, so we take the time to educate and empower you every step of the way, making sure you fully understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and progress. Our doctors and orthodontic specialists are always ready to answer your questions, and no concern is too small. Schedule your free orthodontic consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.
From your first consultation to your final retainer, we’ll make sure you understand every step of the process. Start your confident smile journey today.
