Orthodontic treatment is the general name for the treatments of the specialty that corrects the alignment of the teeth and how the lower and upper jaws close together. There is no single method: fixed braces, ceramic or lingual brackets, clear aligners, jaw expansion appliances, space maintainers and, in growing children, functional appliances address different problems. Which type of orthodontic treatment is suitable for you is determined at the examination, based on whether the problem comes from the teeth or the jawbones, your age, your gum health and your expectations for daily life.
This page is a navigation hub. You will first find the treatment options, then the problems treated, in groups. The link under each heading takes you to a page that explains that topic in detail in terms of the treatment process and decision-making. For general information about what orthodontics is, you can also read our article What is orthodontics.
In what order should you think when deciding on orthodontic treatment?
Most patients start their research with the method: braces or aligners? But the right order is the reverse. First the problem is defined, then the methods that can solve that problem are listed, and finally the one that fits your lifestyle is chosen from among these methods.
- What is the problem? It may be crowding, gaps, a bite problem, a receding or protruding jaw, missing teeth or a combination of these.
- Is the source the teeth or the skeleton? Problems that come only from the position of the teeth are handled differently from problems that come from differences in the size or position of the jawbones. To tell them apart, a clinical examination, X-rays and, when necessary, a cephalometric (lateral skull) X-ray are used.
- Is growth still ongoing? In children and adolescents, appliances that guide jaw development can be effective; in an adult who has finished growing, the same skeletal change often requires miniscrew support or collaboration with surgery.
- Which methods can solve this problem? There is often more than one option.
- Which one suits you? Visibility, speech, cleaning habits, being able to attend checkups and the discipline of wearing aligners are decisive here.
What types of orthodontic treatment are there?
The options below are not rivals to one another but different tools. In some cases, two methods are used one after the other; for example, jaw expansion first, followed by brackets or clear aligners.
Overview of orthodontic treatment types
| Method | Visibility | Removal | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | Visible | Fixed, removed by the orthodontist | Almost every type of case, complex movements |
| Ceramic braces | Close to tooth color, draws little attention | Fixed, removed by the orthodontist | Fixed treatment for patients with esthetic expectations |
| Lingual braces | Not visible from the outside | Fixed, removed by the orthodontist | Suitable cases where invisibility is the priority |
| Clear aligners | Hard to notice | Put in and taken out by the patient | Mild to moderate irregularities, many cases suitable for planning |
| Jaw expansion appliance | Inside the mouth, mostly on the palate | Mostly fixed | Narrow upper jaw, crossbite |
| Functional appliance | Inside the mouth | Removable or fixed | Receding jaw during growth |
The table is for general information; the method suitable for your case is determined after the examination and records.
Fixed treatments (brackets)
- Braces treatment: Classic fixed treatment with metal brackets and an archwire. Frequently chosen for complex tooth movements, extraction cases and situations where patient compliance is uncertain.
- Ceramic braces: A less noticeable form of fixed treatment with brackets close to tooth color. Mechanically, it works similarly to metal brackets.
- Lingual braces: Fixed treatment in which the brackets are bonded to the tongue side of the teeth and cannot be seen from the outside. It requires an adjustment period for speech and tongue comfort.
Removable and clear treatments
- Clear aligner treatment: Treatment with custom aligners changed in sequence. The clinic uses the Invisalign system; details about the brand are on the Invisalign page.
- Orthodontic appliances: Intraoral and extraoral devices for expansion, habit breaking, functional purposes and retention.
Jaw- and growth-focused treatments
- Jaw expansion treatment: Treatments aimed at widening a narrow upper jaw; the approach differs in children and adults.
- MARPE: A miniscrew-assisted palatal expansion option for patients who have finished growing.
- Early orthodontic treatment: Treatments between roughly ages 7 and 11 that guide jaw development and tooth eruption.
- Space maintainer: An appliance that preserves the space for the permanent tooth coming in underneath when a baby tooth is lost early.
Which problems does orthodontic treatment correct?
The problem pages below briefly define each condition and mainly explain the treatment options, limits and decision points.
Tooth alignment problems
- Crowded teeth: Teeth that overlap or are rotated because of lack of space; methods for creating space and the levels at which aligners are sufficient.
- Gaps between teeth: Spaces between the teeth (diastema); closing options and retention for lasting results.
- Protruding teeth: Upper front teeth tipped forward; telling dental from jaw-related causes.
- Missing teeth: Planning to open or close space before an implant or bridge.
- Midline shift: The center lines of the upper and lower front teeth not lining up with the center of the face or with each other.
- Gummy smile: Too much gum showing when smiling; the contribution of orthodontics and collaboration with other specialties.
Bite problems
- Bite classes: What Class I, II and III bites mean and how they affect the treatment plan.
- Deep bite: The upper front teeth overlapping the lower front teeth too much.
- Open bite: The front or side teeth not touching when the mouth is closed.
- Crossbite: The upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth in one or more areas.
Jaw-related problems
- Receding lower jaw: The lower jaw sitting too far back; appliances during growth and options for adults.
- Protruding lower jaw: Class III situations in which the lower jaw is forward; early intervention and collaboration with surgery.
- Can clear aligners fix the jaw?: The boundary between dental camouflage and skeletal correction.
How does orthodontic treatment change with age?
There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment; what matters is gum and bone health. However, age changes which goals are realistic.
- Childhood (roughly ages 7–11): A first orthodontic examination is recommended at around age 7. At this stage, the goal is not always to start treatment, but to guide jaw development if needed and keep the problem from growing. Details: early orthodontic treatment.
- Adolescence: Most permanent teeth have erupted and growth is still ongoing; many comprehensive treatments are planned in this period.
- Adulthood: Tooth movement is possible, but correcting skeletal differences through growth is no longer possible. If there is gum disease, fillings, root canal treatment or missing teeth, planning is done together with other specialties.
Which signs should prompt an orthodontic examination?
Some signs do not correct themselves and may become more pronounced over time. If any of the following is present, an examination clarifies what the problem is and when it should be addressed:
- Overlapping front teeth or noticeable gaps between the teeth
- Front teeth not touching at all when biting, or the lower teeth sitting in front of the upper ones
- The jaw sliding to one side when chewing, or frequently biting the cheeks or palate
- In a child, very early loss of a baby tooth, a permanent tooth not erupting for a long time, or an ongoing thumb-sucking habit
- In an adult, teeth shifting over time, or a space narrowing before an implant
How is the treatment chosen at the clinic?
At the first appointment, an intraoral examination is performed, and your complaint and expectations are heard. If treatment is needed, records are taken with X-rays, photographs and a digital scan. Based on these records, the possible options, the duration of each, how often checkups are needed, their limits and your responsibilities are discussed. The fee is provided in writing once the method and duration are clear. If you would like to go to the examination prepared, the orthodontic examination question list may be useful; for a general comparison of methods, see our article on types of orthodontic treatment.
Whichever method is chosen, retention (a retainer) is needed to maintain the new position of the teeth once active treatment ends. This stage is part of treatment and continues for a long time; details are on the retention page.