What questions should I ask an orthodontist?

An online consultation can give a useful starting point from photos and history, but it cannot replace records such as X-rays, scans, gum checks or a full clinical examination when those are needed. Photos cannot show the gum health under the teeth, the roots, decay between teeth or the way the jaws fit together, which is why a clinician will normally ask for X-rays or a scan before starting any treatment. Treat an online result as an indication of options and likely cost, to be confirmed in person.

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.