Chapter 21: Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Early treatment is just a way to sell more treatment overall.

This is a fair question to ask any orthodontist, and a good one will welcome it. Legitimate interceptive treatment is recommended only when there's a clear, growth-related reason to act early, not as a routine default for every child. If a recommendation for early treatment isn't accompanied by a clear explanation of what specific problem it addresses and why waiting would make it harder to treat, it's reasonable to ask for that explanation or seek a second opinion.

Myth: Braces are only for teenagers.

Braces and clear aligners work for teenagers and adults alike, provided the gums and jawbone are healthy enough to support tooth movement. Many adults undergo comprehensive orthodontic treatment for the first time, often choosing ceramic braces or clear aligners for a less visible option.

Myth: If teeth look straight, nothing needs to be checked.

Many of the conditions addressed by preventive and interceptive orthodontics — a narrow upper jaw, an emerging overjet, a developing crossbite — are not obvious from a casual glance at a child's smile, which is exactly why a professional evaluation by around age seven is recommended regardless of how a child's teeth appear at home.

Myth: Interceptive treatment always means avoiding braces later.

Sometimes it reduces the complexity or length of later comprehensive treatment, and occasionally it removes the need for it altogether. But in many cases, a short interceptive phase is followed by a shorter, more straightforward round of comprehensive treatment once all permanent teeth arrive. It is not always an either-or.

Myth: Retainers are only needed for a few months after braces come off.

Teeth can shift at any age, not just immediately after treatment. Most orthodontists recommend some form of long-term, ongoing retainer wear — often nights-only — well beyond the first few months, precisely because the risk of gradual shifting doesn't fully disappear.