6 Things to ask your dentist before straightening your teeth

If you're considering orthodontic treatment to improve your smile, that's great news, you deserve the smile you always wanted! But before you book your first appointment, it's important that you do your research and ask the right questions. Here are six things to ask your dentist or orthodontist before straightening your teeth.

1. What are my options for straightening my teeth?

There are so many options out there for teeth straightening! Before you begin any treatment, let's have a look at what choices you may have:

• Metal Braces: Traditional metal braces that are clearly visible.
• Ceramic Braces: Like traditional metal braces but slightly less noticeable.
• Lingual Braces: Metal braces that are fixed to the back of your teeth.
• Clear Aligners: A series of transparent, removable aligners worn over your teeth.

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces, but they're not your only option.

If you're looking for a visually more subtle way to straighten your teeth, clear aligners might be the right choice for you. Invisalign treatment is one clear aligner brand your dentist or orthodontist may recommend. Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear aligners that are hardly noticeable when worn. They're also removable, so you can eat whatever you want and brush and floss your teeth as usual.

If you want information on Invisalign treatment or options for straightening your teeth, just ask your dentist – and visit the Invisalign Be Clear on the Facts page on the website to download the ‘must ask question’ checklist.

2. How long will it take to straighten my teeth?

It’s understandable that you want to have your new smile as soon as possible, but it's important to know that treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your case, the method you use and how well you stick to the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

Multiple studies have found that, on average, Invisalign treatment straightens teeth faster than with braces.⁸

Before you begin treatment, be sure to ask your dentist or orthodontist how long they estimate it will take to straighten your teeth— that way you'll have clear expectations if you have an important event to celebrate with your new smile. One benefit to remember is that Invisalign clear aligners’ cutting-edge technology means more predictability⁹ in treatment time and outcome. 

3. Can I see examples of teeth straightening results of cases similar to mine?

Once you've decided on the method you want to use to straighten your teeth, be sure to ask your dentist or orthodontist if they can show you the results of cases similar to yours. This will give you an idea of what your smile could look like at the end of the teeth straightening treatment and help you better understand the process.

If you choose Invisalign treatment as your method of teeth straightening, your treating doctor may be able to show you a digital 3D simulation of what your new smile may look like after treatment. This is made possible by the iTero Outcome Simulator*, which uses the iTero intraoral scanner’s cutting edge technology to create the simulation of your new smile. 

4. Will I need to make changes to my lifestyle while straightening my teeth?

Many people want to know if they will need to make changes in their eating, hygiene, or exercise habits while getting their teeth straightened. The answer really depends on what method you choose to straighten your teeth.

If you choose metal braces, you will need to be careful about what you eat and drink, as sugary and sticky foods can damage the brackets and wires of your braces and if not cleaned properly, you can risk damaging your teeth and gums too.¹⁰ You will also need to take extra care when brushing your teeth so as not to damage your braces.

If you opt for Invisalign clear aligners on the other hand, there are generally no such restrictions — you can eat whatever you want and brush and floss your teeth normally. That's because Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out whenever you need to eat or brush your teeth, meaning less plaque, and better overall oral health.¹¹

The Invisalign treatment is also a great choice for people who play sports, as there is no risk of braces wires getting damaged or causing injury, so there will be fewer emergency doctor visits.

Be sure to ask your dentist about what lifestyle changes you will need to make before beginning any treatment.

5. How often will I have to visit the dentist while getting my teeth straightened?

How often you visit your dentist or orthodontist while getting your teeth straightened will also depend on the method you choose to straighten your teeth.

If you have fixed braces, you will need to visit your dentist every three to four weeks for adjustments. During each visit, your dentist will likely tighten your braces to help your teeth move into their correct position. The process of tightening your braces usually involves tightening or changing the springs, wires, or elastic bands to increase the tautness needed to straighten your teeth.

If you have Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, you will need to visit your provider every six to eight weeks, or as recommended. Some appointments can also be done virtually with Invisalign Virtual Care, which allows doctors to virtually monitor your Invisalign treatment between visits by reviewing photos that you submit through the My Invisalign app.

It's also worth noting that if you choose Invisalign treatment, your dentist will be with you at every stage of your journey to a new smile.

6. Am I too old to get my teeth straightened?

People of all ages are getting their teeth straightened — it's never too late to get the smile you've always wanted! Generally speaking, the process of getting your teeth straightened as an adult is similar to that of a teenager or child, so you won’t need to do anything special if you’re an adult seeking Invisalign treatment.

As an adult, you may also want to consider the appearance of your teeth straightening method. While many people may not want to be seen with obvious metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners are transparent, so no one will know you're wearing them unless you tell them! Fun fact: The Invisalign system also offers Invisalign First for kids aged 6 to 10, to get a head start towards a straighter smile even if they have a mix of baby and permanent teeth.

If you're thinking about getting your teeth straightened, make sure you speak with your dentist or orthodontist and use the question prompts above to get the right teeth straightening method for you.

If you have any further questions specific to Invisalign treatment, please feel free to contact us and we will try to answer your questions and help you find an Invisalign provider to suit your needs. If you’d like to find an Invisalign provider yourself, please check out our Find a Doctor page.