Every consultation I sit down for starts the same way: a parent or patient with a list of questions, some spoken out loud and some they're a little hesitant to ask. That's exactly how it should be. Orthodontic treatment is a real commitment of time, money, and trust, and the best decisions come from consultations where nothing feels vague.
At Ann Arbor Orthodontics, I'd rather spend extra time answering questions up front than have a patient feel unsure three months into treatment. So here are the questions I get asked most before someone starts — answered the same way I'd answer them across the table.
This is always the first question, and the honest answer is: not always, and not always right now. Every consultation ends in one of three ways — treatment is recommended now, treatment is recommended later once more growth or tooth eruption happens, or no treatment is needed at all. The American Association of Orthodontists frames a first evaluation this same way: it's a diagnostic visit, not a sales pitch, and "wait and monitor" is a completely legitimate outcome.
.jpg)
"Wait" doesn't mean "forget about it." When I recommend monitoring instead of starting treatment, it's because a child's teeth or jaw haven't developed enough yet for treatment to accomplish what it's designed to do — starting too early can mean redoing work later. What it actually looks like: periodic check-ins, usually every six to twelve months, so we catch the right moment instead of guessing at it. If you're unsure whether your specific situation calls for treatment now, our Do I Need Braces? page walks through the signs we look for.
Almost never is there only one path. Depending on the diagnosis, I'll typically lay out two or three reasonable options — traditional braces, clear aligners, or in some cases a specific appliance suited to a particular bite issue — and explain the tradeoffs of each rather than just naming a winner. Cost, treatment time, visibility, and how disciplined a patient will realistically be about wearing removable aligners all factor into which option actually makes sense for you. Our Invisalign page covers one of the more common alternatives to traditional braces in detail.
This depends entirely on what we're correcting, but I always give a specific range at the consultation, not a vague "a year or two." Simple cases can wrap up in well under a year; more involved bite corrections can run two years or more. What moves that number the most isn't the appliance you choose — it's how consistently you wear elastics, aligners, or follow care instructions in between visits. I'd rather tell you the real range upfront than have you find out six months in that it's taking longer than expected.
We cover this in detail at the consultation, including a written estimate before you leave — nobody should be guessing at cost after the fact. Insurance coverage for orthodontics varies significantly by plan: some have a specific orthodontic lifetime maximum, some cover a percentage rather than a flat amount, and some have age cutoffs that matter if you're weighing adult treatment. Our Finance & Insurance page breaks down what typically factors into cost and coverage, and our team verifies your specific benefits before treatment starts so there are no surprises partway through.
.jpg)
Most patients feel pressure and soreness rather than sharp pain, and it's temporary — typically a few days after getting braces placed, and a shorter stretch after each adjustment. That's your teeth actually responding to treatment, which is a good sign, not a warning sign. Our Will Treatment Hurt? page covers what to expect day-by-day and how to manage it at home.
This is worth asking because it affects both your comfort and the precision of your treatment plan. We use digital 3D scanning rather than the old-style physical impressions, which means no messy trays and a far more accurate model of your bite to plan treatment around. Our 3D Scanning page explains how this technology changes the planning process, not just the comfort of the visit.
In almost every case, yes, in some form — and this is one of the most under-discussed parts of orthodontic treatment. Teeth naturally drift back toward their original position for years after braces or aligners come off, which is exactly why retention isn't optional. Our Retainers page covers the different types and what a realistic long-term wear schedule looks like.
This surprises some parents, but it's a normal and planned part of care for certain cases, not a sign that the first round "didn't work." Some children benefit from early, limited treatment while the jaw is still growing, followed by a second, more comprehensive phase once all the permanent teeth have come in. When this two-phase approach applies to a specific case, I explain both phases and their separate goals at the very first consultation — not partway through — so it's never a surprise.
.jpg)
Life happens, and a good treatment plan accounts for that. If a family needs to pause for a period of time, we talk through how that affects the timeline and what, if anything, needs extra attention when treatment resumes. If a move is permanent, we prepare records and documentation so a new orthodontist can pick up where we left off without starting over. Neither situation is unusual, and neither should keep you from asking about it before you commit to starting.
If you're weighing whether now is the right time to start, or which of these questions applies most to your situation, that's exactly what a complimentary consultation is for. We'd rather answer every one of these in person, specific to your bite and your goals, than have you guess.
