A diligent orthodontist or dentist will always:
- Ask you about your concerns.
- Outline all the different treatment options and their risks and benefits.
- Explain about the different types of braces.
- Estimate how long the treatment should take.
- Explain about retainers at the start of treatment, and the possible need for lifelong wear if the teeth are to stay in their new place.
- Explain how likely the teeth are to stay in their new position at the end of treatment (that is the stability of the final result).
- At the start, explain what other procedures may be required as part of the treatment.
- Give you thinking time to decide if you want to go ahead.
- Give you a written treatment plan and fee estimate (if appropriate).
- Tell you how much orthodontic training they have had.