Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontic Treatment
Common questions about braces, clear aligners and orthodontic treatment, answered by Drs. Kyint and Evan Chwa in Northbrook, Illinois. If your question is not here, call or text us at (847) 272-0600 and someone will actually answer it.
Some topics have their own pages, and where that is the case we have linked to them rather than repeating half an answer here.
Is orthodontic treatment only about appearance?
No, though appearance is a perfectly good reason on its own.
A bite that meets correctly is easier to clean, which means fewer cavities and healthier gums over a lifetime. It wears evenly, so enamel lasts longer. It chews efficiently. And it distributes force across the jaw joints rather than concentrating it. Straight teeth are the visible part of a functional change underneath. That said, if your bite is working well and the concern is purely cosmetic, we’ll tell you that treatment is optional.
What does orthodontic treatment cost?
Most treatments range from $3,500 to $8,000, depending on complexity. You get a written estimate before anything starts. Our guide to what braces cost explains what moves a case toward one end of that range, and our payment plans page covers the interest free monthly options.
How do braces and aligners actually move teeth?
By gentle, continuous pressure over time.
Brackets and wires, or a series of aligner trays, apply a light force in a planned direction. The bone around the tooth root responds by remodeling: it resorbs on one side and rebuilds on the other, and the tooth migrates through the bone into its new position. That is why it takes months rather than days, and why heavier force does not speed things up. Too much pressure damages the root and the surrounding bone rather than moving the tooth faster.
How long does treatment usually take?
Most comprehensive cases run between twelve and twenty four months. Limited cases can finish in six months or fewer.
Three things decide it: how far the teeth actually have to move, how your body responds, and how well the plan is followed. The third is the one patients control, and it makes more difference than most people expect. Elastics worn as instructed and aligners kept in for twenty to twenty two hours a day routinely take months off a treatment.
What is Phase 2 treatment and how does it differ from Phase 1?
Phase 1 happens while a child still has baby teeth, usually between seven and ten, and it addresses structure: jaw width, a crossbite, space for teeth still to come. Phase 2 begins once most or all of the permanent teeth have arrived and it aligns the finished set.
Not every child needs two phases. When a first phase is warranted, though, it usually makes the second one shorter and simpler. Our early treatment page explains how we decide.
Can teeth be straightened on just the top or just the bottom?
Sometimes, but it needs care. Teeth do not work in isolation. Moving the upper arch without accounting for the lower one can leave the two no longer meeting properly, which trades a cosmetic improvement for a functional problem.
Single-arch treatment is appropriate in some limited cases. We’ll tell you whether yours is one of them.
Can wisdom teeth undo my results?
Less often than their reputation suggests. Research does not support the idea that wisdom teeth are the main cause of crowding returning after treatment; the bigger factor is natural drift over time, which is what retainers exist to prevent.
Impacted or problematic wisdom teeth can still cause discomfort, gum problems or decay, so we monitor them with your dentist and will tell you if removal is worth considering.
Do braces treat TMJ problems?
Braces are designed to align teeth and correct bites, not to treat jaw joint disorders.
There is a relationship between the two. When teeth meet unevenly, the muscles and joints compensate, and improving the bite can reduce that strain. But jaw joint symptoms often have several causes at once, including clenching, stress and joint changes, so we evaluate rather than promise. Where a case needs care beyond orthodontics, we will say so and coordinate with the right specialist.
Can habits like tongue thrust or mouth breathing affect a bite?
Yes, significantly, particularly in children.
Persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting or chronic mouth breathing all apply steady pressure to developing teeth and jaws, and steady pressure is exactly what moves teeth. Over years, these habits can produce open bites, protruding front teeth or a narrow upper jaw. Treatment may involve a habit appliance, simple exercises, or coordination with another provider if the cause is an airway problem rather than a habit.
Do I need antibiotics before an orthodontic appointment?
Most patients do not. If your physician or dentist has ever told you to take an antibiotic before dental work, because of a heart condition or a joint replacement for example, tell us at your first visit and we will follow those instructions.
Still Have a Question?
Call or text (847) 272-0600, or bring your list to a complimentary consultation and go through it with the doctor. You can also request an appointment online. If your question is about choosing between practices, our page on orthodontists versus general dentists covers what to ask any office you visit.