Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about orthodontic treatment, oral health, appointments, fees and specialist care.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
An early assessment does not necessarily mean that treatment will begin immediately. At this stage, the purpose may simply be to assess dental and jaw development and determine whether treatment is needed now, later, or whether monitoring is appropriate.
Not necessarily. An early orthodontic assessment allows us to evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing and identify any concerns that may benefit from early intervention.
In some cases, treatment may be recommended at an early age. In others, the best approach may simply be to monitor growth and dental development until the appropriate time for treatment.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment generally begins from around 12 years of age, depending on dental maturity and individual development.
There is no single age that is right for every patient. Treatment timing is determined by factors such as tooth eruption, dental development, growth and the specific orthodontic concerns being addressed.
Generally, comprehensive orthodontic treatment takes approximately 18–24 months. However, treatment time varies between patients and is influenced by the complexity of the orthodontic problem, the type of treatment, individual tooth movement and how each person’s body responds to treatment, which can be influenced by genetic factors.
Treatment may also take longer if there are appliance breakages, missed or irregular appointments, poor compliance with treatment instructions or other factors that affect treatment progress.
Your estimated treatment duration will be discussed with you following your assessment and may be adjusted as treatment progresses.
Appointments are usually scheduled every 6-8 weeks. However, your appointment schedule will depend on your individual treatment and the type of appliance you are wearing.
Regular appointments allow us to monitor your progress, make necessary adjustments and ensure that treatment is progressing as planned.
Yes. Adults with their natural teeth can have orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t limited to childhood or adolescence. Adults can benefit from treatment to improve tooth alignment, bite, function and smile aesthetics.
Treatment options may include fixed braces or clear aligners, depending on the individual’s orthodontic needs and overall dental health.
The presence of dental restorations such as crowns, bridges or implants does not automatically exclude someone from orthodontic treatment; these situations may require coordination with the relevant dental specialist.
Fixed braces use brackets and archwires that remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment. They are a versatile and effective option for treating a wide range of orthodontic concerns.
Clear aligners use a series of removable, digitally planned aligners to gradually move the teeth towards their planned positions.
The most appropriate option depends on your individual orthodontic needs, treatment goals and clinical requirements.
Some tenderness or discomfort is normal when braces are first placed and after adjustments. However, the experience varies from person to person and depends partly on individual pain sensitivity.
For some patients, discomfort may last a couple of days, while for others it may take closer to a week to settle.
The discomfort is generally temporary as your teeth and surrounding tissues adapt to treatment.
Having braces placed is generally straightforward, but it can take some time to adjust to having a new appliance in your mouth.
You may experience temporary tenderness or pressure, and your cheeks, lips or tongue may take some time to adapt to the brackets.
You may also notice that cleaning your teeth requires more time and attention because plaque can accumulate around the brackets and along the gumline.
We’ll guide you through caring for your braces and maintaining good oral hygiene throughout treatment.
You can continue to enjoy a wide variety of foods during orthodontic treatment, but some foods can damage brackets or wires.
Hard, sticky or particularly chewy foods should be avoided or modified. Cutting harder foods into smaller, bite-sized pieces can help protect your braces.
We’ll provide you with specific dietary guidance when your braces are placed.
If a bracket becomes loose or breaks, contact the practice for advice. Avoid attempting to repair or remove the appliance yourself.
Until you have been advised by the practice, it may be helpful to stick to softer foods and/or cut food into smaller pieces to reduce further stress on the appliance.
We’ll advise you whether you need an earlier appointment or whether the bracket can be managed until your next scheduled visit.
Yes. Most patients can continue participating in their usual sporting activities while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
A properly fitted orthodontic mouthguard is recommended for contact sports to help protect your teeth, lips, cheeks and orthodontic appliances.
In most cases, yes. There may be an adjustment period when playing certain wind or brass instruments, but most patients are able to continue playing.
Let us know if you play an instrument so that we can provide advice specific to your appliance and needs.
Auxiliary appliances or devices are additional orthodontic appliances or components that may be used alongside your main orthodontic appliance to assist with specific aspects of treatment. For example: TADs, bite planes etc.
They are selected according to your individual clinical needs and may be specially manufactured, fitted or prescribed as part of your treatment.
If an auxiliary appliance or device required is not included in your agreed treatment fee, this will be discussed with you beforehand, including any additional associated costs.
Braces create additional areas where plaque can accumulate, so maintaining good oral hygiene is particularly important during treatment.
Brush thoroughly around the brackets and along the gumline, and clean between your teeth using appropriate interdental cleaning aids. Interdental brushes, Super Floss® and a water flosser (Waterpik®) can be useful additions to your routine.
We’ll show you techniques that are suited to your appliance and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout treatment.
You should continue seeing your dentist for regular dental examinations and professional cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment.
As a general guide, professional cleaning should take place at least every six months, or more frequently if recommended by your dentist based on your individual oral-health needs.
Orthodontic appointments do not replace your regular dental visits.
Some patients may notice temporary gum inflammation during orthodontic treatment as the tissues respond to tooth movement. However, this can be exacerbated by plaque build-up around the brackets and along the gumline, particularly when maintaining oral hygiene becomes more difficult.
Maintaining good daily oral hygiene and attending regular professional dental cleanings are important throughout treatment.
If your gums are irritated, rinsing with lukewarm salt water may provide temporary soothing relief. Persistent or significant inflammation should be discussed with your dentist or orthodontist.
Yes — and you should.
Orthodontic appointments do not replace your regular dental visits. Your general dentist continues to look after your overall oral health, including professional cleanings, restorative work and general oral health maintenance, while your orthodontist focuses on your orthodontic treatment.
Maintaining regular dental visits throughout orthodontic treatment is an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Let us know if you experience a dental problem during treatment. Depending on the nature of the problem, we may recommend that you see your general dentist or another dental professional for assessment and treatment.
Orthodontic treatment works alongside your general dental care, so maintaining overall oral health remains important throughout your orthodontic journey.
Orthodontic treatment may form part of a broader multidisciplinary treatment plan, particularly when other dental or medical considerations need to be addressed alongside orthodontic treatment.
Depending on your individual needs, we may coordinate care with your general dentist, periodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, prosthodontist or oral pathologist.
Where appropriate, referrals and communication between the relevant professionals help ensure that your orthodontic treatment forms part of a coordinated overall treatment plan.
You may be referred to a periodontist when specialised assessment, diagnosis or management of periodontal disease or the supporting tissues around the teeth is required.
Depending on your individual needs, periodontal care may also include procedures such as gum grafting, gingival recontouring or frenectomy.
In some cases, tooth extraction may form part of an orthodontic treatment plan. The decision to remove a tooth is based on factors such as dental development, available space, tooth position, bite and overall treatment objectives.
The health and long-term prognosis of the tooth and, where relevant, the adjacent teeth are also considered. This can be particularly important when assessing wisdom teeth.
When an extraction is required, we may refer you to your general dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Surgical orthodontics combines orthodontic treatment with corrective jaw surgery and may be recommended for patients with severe skeletal malocclusions where orthodontic treatment alone cannot adequately address the underlying jaw discrepancy.
Corrective jaw surgery is generally carried out after completion of growth, which is usually around 18 years of age or older, depending on the individual.
Treatment is carefully coordinated between the orthodontist and the appropriate oral and maxillofacial surgical team.
Orthodontic treatment may form part of a broader restorative treatment plan.
Generally, implants and definitive crowns or veneers are placed after orthodontic treatment has been completed. This allows tooth positions to be optimised first and can help reduce the risk of appliance breakages or damage and roughening of the restorative surface.
Where appropriate, we may coordinate treatment with a prosthodontist to plan the positioning and timing of restorative work.
Once your teeth have been aligned, they have a natural tendency to move from their new positions. Retainers help maintain the results achieved during orthodontic treatment while the teeth and surrounding tissues adapt.
Retention is a lifelong commitment if you want to maintain your straight teeth. Teeth can continue to change position throughout life, even years after orthodontic treatment has been completed.
Retention is therefore an essential part of orthodontic treatment — not an optional extra.
Retainer wear is gradually reduced over time according to your individual retention plan.
Initially, you may be asked to wear your retainers for approximately 24 hours a day. As your teeth stabilise, wear may gradually reduce to around 12 hours a day and then to night-time wear.
The frequency of wear progressively reduces with time, but long-term retention remains important if you want to maintain your treatment result.
Contact the practice as soon as possible. Teeth can begin to move when a retainer is not being worn as prescribed, so replacing or repairing a retainer promptly can help protect your treatment result.
Initial consultation: R 3 300.
Your consultation provides an opportunity to assess your orthodontic needs, discuss your concerns and determine whether orthodontic treatment is appropriate. The specific inclusions of the consultation will be explained when you book.
Your initial consultation is designed to understand your orthodontic concerns and assess your individual needs.
Depending on your clinical requirements, the consultation may include:
Your treatment options will be discussed with you following your assessment.
The cost of comprehensive orthodontic treatment is individualised and depends on several factors, including:
Following your assessment, we will discuss your treatment options, associated fees and available payment plans so that you understand the costs involved before treatment begins.
Additional charges may apply for circumstances such as:
Any additional fees will be discussed with you before the relevant appliance, procedure or service is provided.
Yes. A deposit is payable at the start of treatment, followed by monthly instalments over approximately 12–15 months on average, depending on your individualised treatment plan.
Your specific payment structure will be discussed with you when your treatment plan and associated fees are presented.
You can contact Torq Orthodontics directly to enquire about a consultation. A referral from your dentist is not necessarily required.
Where additional dental or specialist care is indicated, we can coordinate the appropriate referral as part of your treatment plan.
You can contact Torq Orthodontics by telephone or email to enquire about an appointment.