Can an online orthodontic consultation replace an in-person exam?

Common signs include crowded teeth, gaps, bite problems, teeth that are hard to clean, protruding front teeth, relapse after previous treatment, or a smile concern you want assessed. A clinician needs to review your teeth and bite before confirming whether treatment is suitable. A useful first check is to compare photos of your smile from the front and both sides, and to note whether any teeth overlap, stick out or fail to meet when you bite. Mild cases are often suited to aligners, while larger bite corrections are more often planned with fixed braces, so the right answer comes from an examination rather than from appearance alone.

Private orthodontic care usually does not require a referral. You can contact a practice directly or start with an online assessment. NHS orthodontic referral routes vary and are usually based on age, dental development and treatment need. Your regular dentist can still be a useful starting point, since they know your dental history and can flag gum or decay problems that need treating first. For NHS treatment the route normally runs through a dentist, who checks the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need before referring you on to an NHS orthodontic service.