Moving teeth slowly, on purpose
Straightening treatment uses gentle, steady pressure to move teeth over months. Fixed braces use brackets and a wire that are adjusted at regular visits. Clear aligners are a series of removable trays, each shaped a little differently, worn most of the day.
Orthodontists specialise in this work, and many general dentists offer aligners too. Treatment is common in the teenage years, and plenty of people start later in life.
What this page covers
- Fixed braces and how adjustments work
- Clear aligners and how long they are worn each day
- When a child is usually first assessed
- Eating, cleaning and sports with braces
- Retainers, and why the end of treatment is not the end
- Questions to ask before choosing a provider
The part after treatment
Teeth tend to drift back toward where they were. That is why retainers matter, often for years. Ask how long you will wear one, whether it is fixed or removable, and what replacing it involves.
A question worth asking: “Who checks my progress, and how often will I be seen in person?”
Common questions
Not for every bite. Some movements are easier with fixed braces. An assessment, ideally in person, is how that is decided.
Teeth often feel sore for a few days after braces go on or are adjusted. Soft food helps.
Teeth can be moved at any age if the gums and bone are healthy. Ask what is realistic for your mouth.
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or advice about your own teeth; ask a licensed dentist who has examined you.