Working With an Orthodontist: A Complete Guide to Modern Treatment

What Is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses and corrects malocclusion, meaning bite alignment, tooth position, and jaw growth. After dental school, an orthodontist completes two to three additional years of accredited residency focused entirely on moving teeth safely and predictably. That extra training is what separates a specialist from a general dentist who also offers aligners.

Both providers went to dental school. Only the orthodontist spent years afterward studying tooth movement, facial growth, and bite mechanics full time. Some go further and earn board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics, a voluntary credential held by a minority of orthodontists. Dr. Mathue Faulkner is one of them.

Here's what an orthodontist typically treats:

• Crowding, when teeth overlap or twist for lack of space
• Spacing and gaps between teeth
• Overbite, where upper front teeth sit too far over the lower ones
• Underbite, where lower teeth extend past the uppers
• Crossbite, where upper and lower teeth land on the wrong side of each other
• Open bite, where front teeth don't touch when the back teeth close

At Rise + Smile Orthodontics, care isn't limited to one age group. Kids, teens, and adults all come through the same office doors, and each one gets their own smile blueprint.

 

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Work, Step by Step?

Straightening your teeth follows five stages: a free consult with records, a custom smile blueprint, appliance placement, progress visits every four to ten weeks, and retainers once teeth reach their final positions. Most cases run 12 to 24 months, though simple corrections finish faster and complex bites take longer.

Here's how each stage plays out.

1. Free consult and records. You'll get an exam plus a digital scan or X-rays. No cost, no obligation, no pressure to say yes that day.
2. Your smile blueprint. Dr. Faulkner reviews your records and walks you through appliance options, an estimated timeline, and the fee. You'll see what's realistic before anything gets bonded.
3. Getting started. For braces, we bond brackets to your teeth and thread in the first archwire. For Invisalign, you'll take home your first set of trays and learn the wear routine.
4. Progress visits. Every four to ten weeks, you'll come in for adjustments, wire changes, or a fresh batch of aligners. These visits are short. Most people are in and out quickly.
5. The finish line. Braces come off or you wear your last aligner, then retainers hold everything in place.

Timelines vary more than people expect. Minor crowding or a small relapse case might wrap up in 6 to 12 months. Bite correction, significant rotations, and growth guidance in younger kids often land in the 18 to 30 month range.

Ask about your specific estimate at the free consult. A good orthodontist will give you a range, not a guarantee, because teeth respond at their own pace.

What Are the Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontist?

Straight teeth look great, but the health payoff runs deeper than that. Here's what actually changes once tooth position and bite are corrected by a specialist rather than left alone.

Does Straightening Teeth Make Daily Cleaning Easier?

Yes, noticeably. Crowded, overlapping teeth trap plaque in spots a brush bristle can't reach, and floss tends to skip the tightest contacts entirely. Once teeth are aligned, brushing covers more surface area in less time and floss slides where it's supposed to go. Less plaque sitting on enamel and along the gumline means lower risk of decay and gum disease, which is why hygienists often notice the difference at the first cleaning after braces come off.

Why Does a Balanced Bite Matter Long Term?

When upper and lower teeth meet evenly, chewing forces spread across the whole arch instead of loading two or three teeth every time you eat. That even distribution reduces uneven enamel wear, protects existing fillings and crowns from chipping, and takes strain off the jaw joints and the muscles around them. Over decades, that balance is often the difference between teeth that hold up well and teeth that wear down early.

A few more benefits worth knowing about:

• Fewer surprises on tough cases. Specialist training matters most when a case involves growth, skeletal differences, or teeth that aren't erupting properly. Those are the cases where experience shows.
• Better timing for kids. An early check-up lets us guide jaw development while it's still happening, which sometimes means shorter or simpler care later.
• Confidence and clearer speech. Many people tell us they smile more freely afterward, and certain bite corrections can improve how sounds form.

Board certification adds another layer. Passing the American Board of Orthodontics exams requires presenting finished cases for peer review, so the credential reflects results, not just years in the field.

Invisalign vs. Metal Braces vs. Clear Braces

All three straighten teeth. They differ in how visible they are, whether they come out, and which cases they handle best.

Metal Braces

Metal braces remain the most versatile option we offer. Today's brackets are smaller and lighter than the ones you remember, and they handle nearly any case, including detailed bite work and stubborn rotations.

Clear Braces

Clear braces use the same mechanics with ceramic brackets that blend into your enamel. Popular with adults in meetings all day and teens who'd rather keep their care low key.

Invisalign

Invisalign uses a series of custom trays made from smooth, BPA-free plastic. You take them out to eat and brush, which makes hygiene simple. The tradeoff is discipline. Trays only work while they're in your mouth.

Case complexity, your daily routine, and how consistently you'll follow through all factor into the decision. Preference alone doesn't settle it. Dr. Faulkner will tell you honestly if a case needs braces to get a result you'll be happy with.

What Affects the Cost of Braces?

Cost depends on three main things: how complex your case is, which appliance you choose, and how many months you'll be in care. A six-month aligner case and a two-year bite correction sit at opposite ends of the range. Most offices quote a range rather than one flat number, and at Rise + Smile Orthodontics you'll receive a written fee at your free consult at no charge, before you commit to anything. Your orthodontist should be willing to put that number on paper and explain what's behind it.

A few things worth knowing before you compare quotes:

• Insurance orthodontic benefits usually work as a lifetime maximum, not a yearly one. Once you use it, it's gone, and it applies per person.
• Flexible financing is common. Monthly payment plans spread the fee out, and many offices offer no-interest options.
• Ask what's included. Retainers, emergency visits, and repairs are sometimes bundled and sometimes not. Get it in writing.

Rise + Smile Orthodontics keeps financial conversations straightforward. You'll know the number, the terms, and what happens after braces come off before you start.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?

Almost anyone with healthy gums and bone is a candidate. Age matters far less than oral health.

• Kids. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first check-up around age 7. Enough permanent teeth have come in by then to spot crossbites, crowding, and jaw growth patterns early. An early visit doesn't always lead to early care. Often we simply monitor.
• Teens. The most common window. Permanent teeth are in, jaw growth is still active, and both work in your favor.
• Adults. No upper age limit exists. New smiles at all ages isn't just a slogan here, and adults make up a good share of the people we see.

Good candidates share a few traits. Cavities are treated first, gum disease is under control, and expectations are grounded in what's actually achievable. If you're considering aligners, you'll also need to commit to full-time wear and to retainers afterward.

Some cases need a closer look. Significant skeletal differences between the upper and lower jaw may call for coordinated care with an oral and maxillofacial specialist. A specialist evaluation sorts that out early, so you're not partway in before you find out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an orthodontist different from a dentist?

Yes. Every orthodontist is a dentist, but not every dentist is an orthodontist. Orthodontists complete two to three additional years of accredited residency focused entirely on tooth movement, bite correction, and facial growth. Some, like Dr. Mathue Faulkner, go on to earn board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Most cases run 12 to 24 months. Minor crowding or spacing can finish in 6 to 12 months, while bite correction and complex rotations often need 18 to 30 months. Your estimate depends on how far your teeth need to travel and how consistently you follow the plan.

Are braces uncomfortable?

You'll feel mild soreness for a few days after placement and after adjustments, similar to the tenderness of a good workout. Over-the-counter relief and soft foods handle it well. Between visits, most people forget the braces are there.

Can adults get braces or Invisalign?

Absolutely. Teeth respond to gentle pressure at any age, so what matters is stable oral health, not your birthday. Clear braces and Invisalign make adult care discreet enough for work and social life, and many adults finish wondering why they waited.

How often are visits scheduled?

Typically every four to ten weeks, depending on your appliance and where you are in the process. Braces visits involve wire changes or adjustments. Aligner visits are usually a quick progress check and a new set of trays.

How do I choose an orthodontist?

Start with credentials, then look at how the office treats you. Confirm the provider is a specialist rather than a general dentist offering aligners, and ask whether they hold board certification through the American Board of Orthodontics. From there, use the free consult to compare the smile blueprint, the written fee, and whether retainers and repairs are included, and notice whether your questions get straight answers.

Do I have to wear a retainer forever?

Not full time, but yes long term. Teeth naturally drift throughout life, so wearing a retainer at night is the reliable way to protect your results. Most people wear retainers full time briefly, then shift to sleeping in them. It's a small habit that keeps years of work in place, which is why a retainer protection plan is worth asking about.

Choosing an orthodontist shouldn't feel like a guessing game. Come see the office, meet the team, and get real answers about your options and your fee before you decide anything.

Dr. Mathue Faulkner and our team welcome kids, teens, and adults. He holds board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics, earned by completing specialty residency and presenting finished cases for peer review. Compassionate care, expert smiles, and a plan built around your life.

Whenever you're ready, a free consult at Rise + Smile Orthodontics is where it starts, and let's smile together.