Step 1: Self-Assessment
Check all that apply to you:
☐ My bite feels uneven or “off” when I close my teeth together
☐ I clench or grind my teeth during the day or night
☐ I’ve had jaw pain, clicking, or popping
☐ I’ve had dental work that has broken, chipped, or failed
☐ I have frequent headaches, neck, or shoulder tension
☐ I often wake up feeling tired, tense, or with sore jaw muscles
☐ My smile looks fine, but my bite doesn’t feel right
☐ I’ve had orthodontics before, and my teeth have shifted again
☐ I’ve been told I have a small mouth
☐ I’ve needed braces for years. I have no pain but was unable to get braces as a kid.
☐ I want to only move my teeth once. I want to do this right the first time.
Important Note: Just because you’re not in pain doesn’t mean you’re in the right position. Many people have chewing system imbalances that cause no symptoms—because the body is compensating. Don't wait for pain to tell you something’s wrong.
Step 2: Questions to Ask Your Orthodontist
Jaw Joint & Bite Stability
- Do you evaluate jaw joint (TMJ) health before treatment?
- Will my treatment be based on a centric relation position?
- Are you planning my bite for long-term function or just alignment?
- If my joints are not healthy, how do you plan on addressing this?
- If my jaws are not the right size, how can we address this properly?
- How do you confirm that my bite is able at the end of treatment?
Tooth Movement & Reference Points
- Do I have a global positioning tooth or reference to guide my bite changes?
- How will you ensure that my bite won’t cause uneven pressure or tooth wear?
Airway Health
- Will you evaluate my airway before starting treatment?
- Could my bite or jaw position be affecting how I breathe—especially during sleep?
- If my airway is narrow or compromised, how will that be addressed in the treatment plan?
- Will expansion, jaw positioning, or other orthodontic movements improve nasal breathing or tongue space?
- Are you screening for signs of sleep-disordered breathing like snoring, mouth breathing, or fatigue?
- Do you work with ENTs, myofunctional therapists, or sleep specialists if airway issues are found?
- If I have sleep apnea and refuse to use a CPAP, how will this affect my treatment?
Whole-Body Impacts
- Will this treatment affect my posture, muscles, or sleep quality?
- If I grind or clench, how is that factored into my orthodontic plan?
- Do you collaborate with other providers (dentists, sleep specialists, PTs) if needed?
Long-Term Outcomes
- What is the plan to ensure retention and stability after treatment?
- If I need restorative work in the future, will this bite position support it?
- What happens if I still have symptoms after orthodontics?
- Will orthodontics get me 100% of the way to stability or will I need final stabilization completed with restorative techniques?
Your Role in the Process
- Be curious. Ask questions. You deserve to understand why your teeth are being moved—not just how.
- Bring this checklist to your consultation. Use it to guide the conversation.
- Remember: your smile should work as beautifully as it looks.
Orthodontic success isn’t just about straight teeth—it’s about a healthy, stable, well-functioning system. Ask the right questions now, and you’ll protect your smile for life.
