How should you prepare before the examination?
The orthodontic examination forms the basis of the treatment decision. At the examination, the orthodontist evaluates your teeth, gums, bite and jaw movements, and requests X-rays and a digital scan if needed. A little preparation is enough to make the most of this appointment:
- Note down the names of the medications you take and any health condition that is regularly monitored. This information is shared in person at the examination, not by message.
- Recall your previous dental treatments: have you used braces or aligners before, and do you have extracted teeth, implants, root canal treatments or crowns?
- If you have recent X-rays, bring them with you.
- If you have one, share information about an old retainer or fixed retainer wire.
- Write down in one sentence what bothers you most; the examination is shaped around this expectation.
If you would like to learn in advance which records are taken at the examination and why, see the article the first orthodontic examination and records. An online pre-assessment is also an option for getting a general idea before your appointment; however, it does not replace a diagnosis.
What questions should I ask about my problem?
First, it is necessary to understand the situation correctly. The following questions help you understand the diagnosis in your own words:
- What exactly is the problem with my teeth and my bite?
- Does the problem come only from how the teeth are aligned, or from the position of the jawbones?
- What effects might it have in the future if it is not treated?
- Are my gums and bone support suitable for treatment, or is another treatment needed first?
- Is there anything to watch out for regarding my jaw joint or a teeth-clenching habit?
- Are X-rays or a three-dimensional scan needed, and why?
What should you ask about treatment options?
In most cases, there is more than one path. You have every right to ask the orthodontist to explain the options with their pros and cons.
- Which methods can be used for my case: clear aligners, metal or ceramic brackets, lingual braces or another appliance?
- If clear aligners are suitable for me, how would they differ from fixed braces? (For a comparison, see the clear aligners vs braces page.)
- Is tooth extraction necessary? If not, how will space be created?
- Will light reduction between the teeth (IPR, removing a very thin layer of enamel between the teeth) be done?
- Will attachments (small, tooth-colored bumps bonded to the teeth) be placed on the teeth?
- Might additional appliances, elastics or miniscrews be needed?
- Can the result be shown in advance in three-dimensional planning? (The clinic uses the Invisalign system, and movements are planned in the ClinCheck software.)
What should you ask about duration and checkups?
- What is the estimated length of treatment, and what could extend it?
- How often will checkup appointments be, and roughly how long will each take?
- With clear aligners, how often will I change aligners? How many hours a day will I need to wear them?
- If there is a long trip or a move during treatment, how will follow-up continue?
- Might additional aligners or a refinement stage be needed?
- How should my regular dental and gum checkups be planned during treatment?
In general, clear aligners are worn 20–22 hours a day, aligners are changed every 1–2 weeks according to the orthodontist's plan, and checkups are usually every 6–10 weeks. Your plan becomes clear after the examination. For details, see the how long does clear aligner treatment take page.
What questions should I ask about fees?
The fee varies with the difficulty of the case, the chosen method and the length of treatment; for this reason, it is provided in writing after the examination and planning. It is helpful to clarify the following points at the appointment:
- Which stages are included in the fee: records, scanning, aligners, checkups, additional aligners?
- Are the retainer and fixed retainer wire at the end of treatment included in the fee?
- If an aligner is lost or broken, how is a replacement obtained?
- Which stages of treatment is the payment plan based on?
- Does my private health insurance partially cover orthodontic treatment? Which documents are needed for this?
If you would like to learn about the factors that determine the fee in general, the clear aligner cost page can guide you.
What should you ask about daily life and after treatment?
- How will my speech, eating habits or sports be affected?
- How should I clean the aligners, and what should I avoid?
- What should I do if I feel pressure or sensitivity in the first days?
- After treatment ends, for how long and at what times will I wear the retainer?
- What is the risk of the teeth shifting again, and how often will checkups continue?
Details about the post-treatment period can be found on the retainer after clear aligners page.
What should you ask about the clinic and follow-up process?
Treatment is a collaboration lasting months. Knowing from the start who you will work with and how helps you feel secure throughout the process:
- Which orthodontist will plan my treatment from start to finish, and who will do my checkups?
- Does the orthodontist have specialist training in orthodontics?
- If I have a problem between checkups (a broken aligner, an attachment that rubs, a lost aligner), whom can I reach and how?
- Can I schedule my appointments in the evening or on Saturdays around my work or school hours?
- Which aligner system is used, and how is planning done?
- How are my records (X-rays, scans, photos) stored, and where can I get the information notice on my personal data?
At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, treatments are planned and followed up by an orthodontist; the clinic is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00. You can find information about the clinic on the about us page.
What questions should you ask yourself?
The examination is not just an appointment where you ask the orthodontist questions; you also need to clarify your own expectations. Thinking about the following questions in advance makes it easier to be on the same page as your orthodontist:
- What do I expect most from treatment: appearance, chewing and bite, or both?
- Do I have plans in the coming months, such as a wedding, exams, a long trip or a move?
- Does wearing aligners 20–22 hours a day fit my daily routine?
- Am I ready to use a retainer at night for a long time after treatment?
For a more detailed self-assessment on this, see the questions on the clear aligner suitability quiz page; the quiz is not a diagnosis and is only for preparation.
What should you ask if you are bringing your child for an examination?
- Is treatment needed now, or should development be monitored?
- Could an early intervention reduce the need for more extensive treatment later?
- Are habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting or mouth breathing affecting the teeth?
- Is my child mature enough to wear a removable appliance or aligner regularly?
- When should the next checkup be?
You can find out why the first checkup is recommended at around age 7 in the article the first orthodontic checkup for children.
What should you keep in mind when deciding after the examination?
Take notes on the answers during or right after the examination. Read the written plan you are given calmly at home. Check whether the plan clearly states the duration, checkup frequency, additional stages and the retention phase. If there is a term you do not understand, do not hesitate to ask again; the clear aligner glossary can help with explanations of orthodontic terms. If you are undecided, getting a second opinion from another orthodontist is also a reasonable step. In that case, you can ask for a copy of the X-rays taken at the previous examination, so unnecessary repeat X-rays are avoided. When comparing different plans, look not only at the duration or fee, but also at the goals of treatment, the checkup schedule and the retention plan. What matters is that you clearly understand the process, your responsibilities and the expectations before starting treatment.