Frequently Asked Questions

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities.

We recommend that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7 – 8 years. We don’t usually suggest treatment at that time; however, it is worthwhile confirming that all teeth are developing and understanding the long-term goals. Sometimes we pick up missing/extra teeth and concerns that would benefit from an early phase of treatment.

No, we are happy to schedule a new patient appointment for you without a referral. Many of our patients hear about us from friends, family, and schoolmates.

You can contact us via this website, call 09 5247628, or email info@orthodontist.net.nz.

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the individual’s needs, but it typically ranges from 12 to 24 months.

Patients typically see their orthodontist every 8 - 12 weeks for adjustments and to monitor progress.

Benefits include improved oral health, enhanced facial aesthetics, better bite function, and increased self-esteem.

Yes, orthodontic treatment is effective for both children and adults. Many adults choose to correct long-standing dental and aesthetic issues as they did not have the opportunity earlier.

Not usually; we try to correct the bite and provide space to straighten teeth without taking teeth out. In cases of severe crowding, though, extractions are required so the teeth stay within their supporting bone.

These include palatal expanders, removable appliances, habit appliances, and space maintainers.

A retainer is a custom-made appliance designed to hold teeth in place after orthodontic treatment to prevent them from shifting back to their original position.

There are two main types of retainers:

• Fixed Retainers: These are small wires bonded to the back of the teeth to keep them in position, typically used for the front teeth.
• Removable Retainers: These can be taken out by the patient. A common type is the clear plastic retainer, which covers the teeth and holds them in position.

Most orthodontic problems will not self-correct and could worsen if left untreated.

Indicators include crowded or spaced teeth, difficulty in chewing or biting, speech difficulties, or jaw pain. An orthodontic consultation is necessary for a complete evaluation.

An initial orthodontic consultation typically lasts about 30 minutes. During this visit, photographic records and radiographs will be taken, then the orthodontist will evaluate your teeth and jaw

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed an additional university degree beyond dental school to focus on diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. They specialize in correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.

An Orthodontic Auxiliary is a staff member who is able to perform some of the clinical tasks involved in treatment. An Orthodontic Auxiliary works under the direct instruction of a Specialist Orthodontist but has no input in the diagnosis or treatment planning of an orthodontic case. Orthodontic auxiliaries are registered health professionals with a scope of practice defined by the Dental Council of New Zealand.

Yes, regular dental checkups are necessary even when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your general dentist will continue to monitor your overall oral health, including teeth cleanings and checking for cavities, which is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums during orthodontic care.

Braces are orthodontic devices used to straighten teeth, improve bite alignment, and enhance overall dental health. They consist of brackets attached to the teeth, arch wires, and sometimes elastic bands that work together to apply gentle pressure to the teeth.

Braces come in several types, including metal braces and ceramic braces (tooth-coloured) which may be custom printed. We can discuss the options with you.

While braces can be applied at any age, they are commonly recommended for children and teenagers. An initial consultation around age 7-8 is recommended to assess dental alignment, but many adults also benefit from orthodontic treatment.

The duration of treatment varies depending on individual needs but typically lasts between 1 to 2 years. Your treatment plan will include a treatment time estimate.

Some discomfort may occur after the braces are first applied. This usually subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any discomfort.

The braces are glued onto the teeth so avoid hard, or sticky foods that can break the resin attachment. Choose softer foods and cut larger items into smaller pieces.

Good oral hygiene is crucial. Brush your teeth morning and night, use floss, and attend regular check appointments. We also recommend NeutraFluor mouthwash (available at our front desk).

Aligners are a completely digital appliance system of clear, removable trays used to straighten teeth. They are custom-made to fit your teeth and gradually shift them into the desired position.

Treatment duration varies depending on individual needs, but it generally lasts between 6 to 18 months. We will provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific case.

Clean your aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm/cold water. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the aligners. Additionally, you can use special aligner cleaning solutions.

Yes, wearing a retainer after aligner treatment is essential to maintain the new positions of your teeth. We will suggest suitable retainer options.

Aligners are effective for many cases, but complex orthodontic issues may require fixed braces. Some early problems can be corrected using a Phase 1 of aligners.

Hard Foods

• Nuts
• Ice
• Popcorn (especially unpopped kernels)
• Corn on the cob (cut off the cob instead)
• Vogels toast crusts
• Whole raw vegetables (like carrots, unless cooked or cut small)

Sticky Foods

• Fruit roll ups
• Toffees
• Fruit bursts
• Pineapple lumps

Chewy Foods

• Hard breads (e.g Baguettes)
• Meat on the bone (cut off)

Crunchy Foods

• Chips (Bagel bites)
• Nuts
• Pretzels
• Hard cookies (Gingernuts)

Sugary Foods and Drinks

• Fizzy drinks
• Lollies
• Desserts high in sugar (to avoid cavities)
• Sports drinks

• Cut hard food into smaller pieces and chew on your back teeth to make it easier to chew.
• Choose softer options when possible, such as cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, or soft fruits.

Braces are simply glued onto the teeth and hard/crunchy/chewy foods can break that bond. The arch wires that move the teeth can also be deflected/distorted with hard chewy foods.

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary widely, typically ranging from $9,000 to $11,000, depending on the complexity of the case, the type of treatment, and the duration.

Factors include the type of orthodontic appliance used (braces, aligners, etc.), the duration of treatment, the severity of the dental issues being corrected.

New Zealand Health insurance policies include Orthodontic treatment under ‘dental’ cover. Referral to an oral Surgeon for extraction of impacted or supernumary teeth is often covered separately.

Yes, we offer payment plans that allow patients to spread the cost of treatment over several months or years, making it more manageable.

Generally, the cost may be similar for both adults and children. However, adults may require more complex treatments, potentially leading to higher costs in some cases.

The initial examination includes a consultation and records ( X-rays and photographs). There is a fee for this examination, and an additional charge will apply if you decide to proceed with a treatment plan presentation.

We may suggest a simpler or compromised approach if appropriate.

If your treatment plan needs to be adjusted, it is unlikely additional fees would apply unless changing to another type of appliance

Yes, you can transfer your treatment to another practice, this usually happens when a family moves to another region. We apply the New Zealand Association of Orthodontist’s fee calculation to determine the amount owing/to be repaid. The new orthodontist will quote a fee to continue/complete your treatment.

Missing an appointment may delay your treatment progress. We do not charge for missed routine appointments unless these are often and at the last minute!

The overall fee includes fitting the orthodontic appliances, regular adjustment visits, and fitting retainers when treatment complete. We continue to monitor our patients in the retention phase for at least a year after the retainers have been fitted. We do not charge for broken brackets.

If a retainer is lost or broken, an additional fee will be charged to replace. Fixed wires are rebonded at no charge during the retention monitoring phase (unless lost!)

After you are dismissed from retention supervision, if you need new retainers or if retention wires need to be rebonded, a fee will be charged for these services.

If you are not ready for treatment at the initial visit, you will be placed on recall to monitor the developing dentition. We will schedule your recall visit and you will get text/email reminders close to the time. We do not charge a fee for recall monitoring.