When should you consider an orthodontic assessment?

An orthodontic assessment is simply a check of how your teeth and bite fit together. It does not commit you to treatment. It tells you whether anything is worth addressing and, if so, what the options are. There is rarely a wrong time to have one, but a few situations make it especially worthwhile.

Signs it is worth getting checked

• Crowded, overlapping or crooked teeth
• Gaps or spacing you are not happy with
• Teeth that stick out or do not meet properly when you bite
• Jaw discomfort, or difficulty cleaning between crowded teeth
• Teeth that have shifted after previous braces

For children and teenagers

A first orthodontic check at around age seven is ideal. At that age a dentist can spot how the jaw and adult teeth are developing. Early guidance does not always mean early treatment, but it can make later treatment simpler and shorter. The teenage years remain a common and effective time to treat.

For adults

It is never too late. Healthy teeth and gums can be moved at almost any age, and a large share of orthodontic patients today are adults. Discreet options such as ceramic braces and clear aligners make treatment easier to fit into adult life.

What the assessment involves

We take records and scans, including full-mouth X-rays and a CBCT image where needed, then explain clearly what is happening and what the options are. You leave with a realistic picture of timeline and cost, and no pressure to proceed.

If anything on this page sounds familiar, a short assessment is the simplest way to get clarity.