Frequently Asked Orthodontic Questions
Get straight answers before your first visit. Below, board certified orthodontist Dr. Dima Kalakech answers the questions Cibolo, Schertz and area families ask most, about ages, timelines, referrals and what to expect at Embrace Orthodontics.
Reviewed by Dr. Dima Kalakech, Board Certified Orthodontist
(Money questions? Payment plans, insurance handling and discounts have their own page: Easy Financing & Insurance.)
Getting Started
Do you charge for an initial consultation?
A: No. As a courtesy to you and your family dentist, we always discuss the feasibility of orthodontic treatment without charging a fee for the initial consultation. You’ll leave with real answers, whether or not treatment is recommended.
Do I need a referral from my dentist to see an orthodontist?
A: No. You can go straight to an orthodontist; no referral is required. Many families come to us directly, while others are referred by dentists who spot a developing problem. Either path works, and we coordinate with your dentist from day one.
At what age do you start seeing patients?
A: We like to evaluate young patients once the six-year molars have erupted and the front permanent teeth start to appear, usually between ages 6 and 8. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child be seen by age 7.
Why are children evaluated so young?
A: The purpose of early evaluation is to inform and observe more than to treat. Eventual needs can be identified while there’s still growth to work with, habits are assessed, and most kids simply join our no-cost supervisory program until the timing is right. Only a small percentage need intervention at that age.
Is 7 too early for braces?
A: For braces, usually yes; for an evaluation, no. Age-7 checks are about catching structural problems early. When treatment is needed that young, it’s typically a short interceptive phase, not full braces. Our early orthodontics page explains the two-phase approach.
Does my 8-year-old really need an expander?
A: Only if the upper jaw is genuinely too narrow, which is exactly the kind of thing an in-person evaluation settles. Expanders work brilliantly for true crossbites and crowding from a narrow arch, and they’re unnecessary otherwise. Dr. K will show you the why (or the why-not) on your child’s own records.
Your First Visit
How long does the first visit take?
A: Between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on how ready the patient is for treatment. Sometimes it’s a visual exam and a conversation; sometimes we take X-rays and complete diagnostic records the same day. See what to expect at your first visit.
What questions should I ask when choosing an orthodontist?
A: Four good ones: Is the doctor an orthodontic specialist? Are they board certified? Who actually supervises each visit? And what does the quoted fee include, start to finish? Any practice worth choosing will love that you asked.
Life During Treatment
How long does orthodontic treatment take overall?
Can all my appointments be after school?
A: We’ll do our best. To keep early-morning and late-afternoon slots available for everyone, certain longer procedures are scheduled between 9 and 3, but routine adjustments are quick, and we work hard to protect school and work time.
Do you see patients for orthodontic emergencies?
A: Yes. Call us during patient hours for repairs, and follow our emergency care guide for immediate comfort steps. After-hours callers in pain receive instructions for further assistance.
I have to pre-medicate for dental visits. Do I need to for the orthodontist too?
A: Yes. If your physician or dentist has you pre-medicate before dental appointments, follow the same protocol for orthodontic visits, and make sure we have it in your health history so we can remind you.
How do I know if my bite actually needs treatment?
A: Some signs are visible: crowding, gaps, front teeth that stick out or don’t touch. Others are functional: biting your cheek often, uneven tooth wear, jaw fatigue when chewing, or teeth that have shifted noticeably over the years. Any of these is worth a free evaluation; so is simple curiosity. Half of a specialist’s value is telling you when everything is fine.
How is orthodontist-supervised treatment different from mail-order aligner kits?
A: Supervision is the treatment. Mail-order kits move teeth without anyone examining your roots, gums or bite, and without in-person course corrections when movement goes off plan. At Embrace, Dr. K takes full diagnostic records first, monitors every stage, and stands behind the result with retention care. Straight-looking front teeth on an unstable bite is not a bargain.
What happens if I miss an appointment?
A: Call us as soon as you know and we’ll reschedule. One missed visit won’t derail treatment, but adjustments are what keep teeth moving on schedule, so repeated gaps genuinely extend your finish date. We send reminders to make staying on track easy.
Are orthodontic X-rays safe?
A: Yes. We use digital radiographs, which require far less exposure than older film X-rays, and we take them only when they change what Dr. K knows about your case, typically at records, key progress points and retention checks.
Will braces or aligners change how I talk?
A: Briefly, sometimes. Aligner patients may lisp slightly for the first few days, and braces take about a week of adjustment. Speech returns to normal quickly for nearly everyone, and reading aloud at home speeds it up.
Results
Do braces make teeth 100% straight forever?
A: Braces and aligners can achieve a beautifully aligned, functional smile, and Dr. K finishes to board-certification standards. Keeping it that way is what retainers are for: teeth naturally try to move throughout life, so retention is part of every honest treatment plan.
Will my wisdom teeth undo my orthodontic results?
A: Not by themselves; research shows late-life crowding happens with or without wisdom teeth. But Dr. K monitors them during retention visits and coordinates with your dentist if they need attention. Your retainer, worn as directed, is what actually protects the result.
Can orthodontic treatment help jaw clicking or TMJ discomfort?
A: Sometimes, when the discomfort traces to how the bite fits together. Aligning the bite can reduce strain on the jaw joints, though TMJ problems have many causes and no honest orthodontist promises a cure. An evaluation with imaging is where a real answer starts.
Still Have Questions?
Ask us directly; it’s what the free consultation is for. Call (210) 253-2424 or request an appointment online. Embrace Orthodontics serves Cibolo, Schertz, Selma, Universal City, Garden Ridge, Live Oak, Converse and New Braunfels.