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Your Orthodontic Journey: Questions Uncovered

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American Association of Orthodontists›FAQs

Which treatment option is best?

The best treatment is the kind performed by an AAO orthodontist, who has a minimum of 3,700 hours (2 or more years) in an orthodontic residency after 4 years of dental school. Orthodontic treatment is a customized professional service performed and monitored by a highly-educated healthcare professional. 

Orthodontic treatment is not a product. Moving teeth and aligning jaws requires a comprehensive knowledge of the biological and physiological processes at play to safely and predictably move teeth into new, healthy positions. The type of treatment (such as braces or aligners) or brand of appliance is less important than the knowledge and skill of the individual who performs your treatment. 

Visit Find an Orthodontist to locate AAO orthodontists near you.

What brands of treatment are approved by the American Association of Orthodontists?

The American Association of Orthodontists does not provide product reviews or recommendations. Please talk with your orthodontist about the types or brands of treatment that you are interested in so that together you can decide what is appropriate for you.

The type or brand of “appliance” (the formal name for devices like braces, aligners, etc.) used in orthodontic treatment is not as important as the skill in the hands person using the appliance.

Do be sure to seek out an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are dentistry’s specialists in moving teeth and aligning jaws to achieve a healthy bite. Orthodontists get to be specialists by graduating from dental school, and then successfully completing an additional 2-3 years of education in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only people who have attained this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists are accepted for membership in the AAO. By choosing an AAO member, the public is assured that the doctor truly is an orthodontist.

Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

Do orthodontic schools treat patients?

Yes, accredited orthodontic programs accept patients for treatment. The work is done by students, who have already graduated from dental school, and who are studying to become orthodontists. Students are closely supervised by their professors and instructors, who are orthodontists. 

Visit https://aao1consumer.wpengine.com/education/accredited-orthodontic-programs to learn if there is an accredited U.S. or Canadian school near you. Contact the school directly to learn how to become a patient.

I’ve seen three orthodontists and I have three treatment plans suggested. Which one is right?

There is not a single “right way” to perform orthodontic treatment. Different orthodontists use various bracket systems and appliances. As long as all of the doctors you have consulted are AAO orthodontists, all of the suggested treatment plans can help your child develop a healthy and beautiful smile. 

When you consult a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), you can be assured that the doctor truly is an orthodontist. That’s because membership in the AAO is open exclusively to orthodontists, meaning those who first graduated from dental school, and then went on to successfully complete a 2-3 year orthodontic residency at an accredited orthodontic program.

How long will treatment last?

The length of treatment is different for each patient because each patient has a unique problem. Your AAO orthodontist will give you an estimated length of treatment.   Here are five tips to make your treatment go as quickly as possible:

  • Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on the frequency of brushing and flossing, and see your dentist for a professional cleaning at least every six months during orthodontic treatment, or more often if recommended.
  • Watch what you eat if you have braces. Stay away from hard, sticky, and crunchy foods. Opt for foods that are soft and easy to chew. If you have aligners, be sure to remove them before you eat or drink anything besides tap water, and put them back in after you’re done eating or drinking and you have thoroughly cleaned your teeth.
  • Beware of sugary, acidic soft drinks including regular and diet soda pop, fruit juices, fruit drinks and sports drinks. Tap water is recommended.
  • If prescribed, wear your elastics (rubber bands) as instructed.
  • Keep scheduled appointments with your orthodontist.

I don’t want old-fashioned braces. What are my options?

Thanks to advances in technology, your treatment options may include ceramic (tooth-colored) braces, lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth, or clear aligner trays.

Today’s standard metal braces are much smaller and sleeker than those of even a generation ago.

Please review your options with an orthodontist at an in-person consultation to determine what type of treatment will be best suited to your needs.

Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile.

Membership in the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is your assurance that the doctor is an orthodontist because the AAO accepts only orthodontists as members. To be an orthodontist means the individual must first graduate from dental school, and then successfully complete an additional 2-3 years of studying orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic residency program. Only those who have this level of formal education may call themselves “orthodontists.” And only orthodontists are eligible for admission into the American Association of Orthodontists.

Use the Find an Orthodontist service to locate nearby members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Can I get braces if I’m missing some teeth?

It can be possible for you to have successful orthodontic treatment if some teeth are missing, depending on your circumstances and your treatment goals. Orthodontic treatment may be able to close the space of a missing tooth, or may be able to create or save sufficient space for a replacement tooth/teeth. Consult an orthodontist to discuss what is right for you.  Your orthodontist may need to work with your primary care dentist and/or other dental specialists to help you achieve your treatment goals.

Can I get braces if my teeth have crowns or root canals?

It can be possible for you to have successful orthodontic treatment if your teeth have crowns or root canals.  Materials are available to adhere orthodontic brackets to crowns just like you would any other tooth. Consult an orthodontist for answers that are specific to you and your circumstances.

If I wear extra rubber bands, will that speed up my treatment?

Wearing extra rubber bands will NOT speed up treatment. In fact, you could prolong your treatment by wearing extra rubber bands because the extra force could move your teeth in an undesirable way.

I am 76 years old and considering orthodontic treatment. Am I too old to get treatment?

Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. Members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) regularly treat adult patients. Today, about one patient in five is an adult. Many patients are in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s and 90s.

Depending on your circumstances, your orthodontist may work with your primary care dentist and other dental specialists, as necessary, to help you achieve optimal dental health.

Use the Find an Orthodontist service to locate nearby AAO members. Orthodontists have the training, experience and treatment options to make sure you get your best smile. For more information, check out our blog, Am I Too Old for Orthodontic Treatment?