Choosing to start orthodontic treatment, or choosing it for your child, comes with a lot of questions. We think that’s a good thing. Patients who understand their treatment feel more confident in it, and confidence is a big part of what we do here at Somerville Orthodontics.
Below, we’ve answered the questions we hear most often from families across Somerville, Cambridge, and the greater Boston area. If you don’t see your question here, that’s what we’re here for- reach out any time.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed additional, specialized training in diagnosing and correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. Dr. Lee is a board-certified orthodontist, meaning he has met the highest standard of education and clinical testing set by the American Board of Orthodontics. That extra training is what allows us to treat everything from simple spacing to complex bite issues with precision, not guesswork.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7. At that age, your child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth, which gives us a clear window to catch developing issues, like crowding, crossbites, or jaw growth concerns, early, while they’re easiest to guide. An early visit doesn’t always mean early treatment; often, it simply means peace of mind and a plan for what’s ahead.
There isn’t one single age that’s right for everyone; it depends on your child’s growth and the issue we’re treating. Most comprehensive treatment with braces or clear aligners begins between ages 10 and 14, once most permanent teeth have come in. That said, we treat happy, healthy smiles at every age, from young children through adults well into their 60s and beyond. If you’re an adult who’s always wondered whether it’s “too late,” it isn’t.
Braces use fixed brackets and wires to move teeth gradually and are available in traditional metal, tooth-colored ceramic, or our custom-fit LightForce system, which 3D-prints brackets designed for each individual tooth. Clear aligner treatment uses a series of custom-made, removable clear trays instead of brackets and wires. Both approaches are highly effective; the right one for you comes down to your treatment goals, your lifestyle, and your comfort with visible hardware. We’ll walk you through both options at your consultation so you can choose with confidence, not guesswork.
Yes. Clear aligners are proven to effectively treat crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and more, the same range of issues braces address. The difference is in the experience: aligners are virtually invisible, removable for eating and brushing, and often move teeth efficiently with frequent aligner changes. For certain complex bite corrections, Dr. Lee may recommend braces instead, which is exactly why an in-person evaluation matters more than a one-size-fits-all answer.
Most patients feel some pressure or mild soreness for the first few days after getting braces or starting a new aligner tray; that’s simply a sign your teeth are moving. It’s typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and fades within the first week. Orthodontic wax can also ease any irritation from brackets or wires. If soreness is severe or doesn’t improve, that’s something we want to know about; just reach out.
Treatment length depends on what we’re correcting, but most comprehensive cases with braces or clear aligners run between 12 and 24 months. Minor cosmetic touch-ups can move much faster; that’s the idea behind our Smile Touch-Up options, where we match you to the most efficient, cost-effective tier of treatment based on your goals rather than assuming everyone needs the same full-scale plan.
Every treatment plan is different, so the honest answer is: it depends on your case, the complexity of your bite, and the length of treatment. We’re happy to give you an exact, no-surprises number after your evaluation, not a vague estimate. Our treatment coordinator will go over your options and costs line by line, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
In many cases, yes. We accept most major insurance plans, including MassHealth, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, MetLife, Aetna, Cigna, Guardian, and Altus, and we’ll verify your coverage before treatment begins so there are no surprises later.
We offer interest-free monthly payment plans with flexible down payment schedules, a pay-in-full discount for patients who prefer to handle costs upfront, and we accept FSA and HSA funds. Our goal is to make sure cost is never the reason a great smile has to wait.
Sticky, crunchy, and very hard foods, think caramel, popcorn, ice, and hard candy, are the most common culprits behind broken brackets and bent wires. Cutting firmer foods like apples or corn on the cob into smaller pieces goes a long way toward protecting your appliances and keeping your treatment on schedule.
Wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, brush, and floss. Clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water, never hot water, which can warp the plastic, and always store them in their case when they’re out. Sticking to water while your aligners are in also helps prevent staining and keeps your treatment on track.
Teeth naturally want to drift back toward their original position after treatment, a process called relapse. A retainer holds your new smile in place while your bone and gum tissue adjust to it long-term. We’ll fit you with a custom retainer at the end of treatment and walk you through exactly how often to wear it.
With consistent retainer wear, your results can last a lifetime. Most relapse happens when patients stop wearing their retainer too soon, so think of it less as “the last step” of treatment and more as the step that protects everything you just achieved.
Dr. Lee is a board-certified orthodontist and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, with a practice built around precision, teamwork, and genuine care for every patient who walks through our door. We’ve been voted Boston Magazine’s Top Dentist two years running, an honor we credit entirely to the Somerville and Boston-area families who trust us with their smiles and send their friends our way. Whether you’re here for a first check-up, a full set of braces, or your very last retainer check, we’re glad you’re part of our community.
Still have a question we haven’t covered? We’d genuinely rather you ask than wonder.
