Overview: What This Guide Covers
This guide explains orthodontic care at a specialty practice such as Dr McReynolds Orthodontist and helps you know what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who corrects crooked teeth and misaligned bites. The American Association of Orthodontists notes that these specialists complete two to three years of advanced study after dental school.[1] That extra training is the main difference between a general dentist and a practice focused on orthodontic care.
This page is for patients and parents who are weighing braces or aligners and want clear, plain answers. You will learn how a practice like McReynolds Orthodontics approaches treatment, what a visit looks like, and how to tell when specialty care is the right choice. For a broader look at the field, you can also visit the orthodontics page.
Key Information About Orthodontic Care
Orthodontic treatment uses steady, gentle pressure to move teeth into better positions over many months. The goal is a bite that works well and teeth that are easier to keep clean.
What an Orthodontist Does
Orthodontists are dental professionals who focus on tooth and jaw alignment rather than general dental surgery or routine cleanings. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, every orthodontist first finishes dental school, then completes a specialty program.[1]
A practice like McReynolds Orthodontics typically handles braces, clear aligners, retainers, and the planning that ties these tools together. Many other dental professionals, such as your general dentist, work alongside the orthodontist to support your overall care.
Why Alignment Matters for Total Health
Straight, well-spaced teeth are simpler to brush and floss. The American Dental Association explains that good daily cleaning lowers the risk of cavities and gum disease.[2] This is why orthodontic care connects to a patient's total dental health, not just appearance.
When teeth crowd or overlap, food and plaque hide in tight spots. Aligning the teeth removes many of those traps, which supports a patient's total dental health over the long term.
Choosing the Right Practice
Choosing Dr McReynolds Orthodontist, or any specialist, means looking at training, communication, and trust. Many established orthodontists hold active professional memberships, such as in the American Association of Orthodontists, which signals ongoing education.[1]
Background often reflects strong roots. For example, some Texas-trained orthodontists studied at a Texas school such as Baylor University before opening a private practice. A good provider fosters relationships with patients and families and explains each step in plain language so you can make informed choices.
What to Know Before You Start
Know your timing, your options, and how to prepare. Most patients can begin treatment at almost any age, but early checks help catch problems sooner.
Age and Timing
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7.[1] At that age, enough adult teeth have come in for a specialist to spot bite problems early.
Early evaluation does not always mean early braces. In many cases, the orthodontist simply watches growth and starts treatment later. Adults can also benefit from orthodontic treatment, since healthy teeth can be moved at any age.
Common Treatment Options
Most plans use either braces or clear aligners. Braces use brackets and wires fixed to the teeth. Clear aligners are removable trays that you switch out on a set schedule.
Each option has trade-offs. Braces handle complex movements well and do not rely on the patient remembering to wear them. Aligners are less visible and easier to remove for eating and cleaning, but they work only when worn most of the day. McReynolds Orthodontics and similar practices weigh these factors with you before recommending a path.
A 2019 systematic review that pooled results from 11 studies found that clear aligners can move teeth well in mild to moderate cases, while fixed braces stay more predictable for complex tooth and bite movements.[3] The table below compares the two at a glance.
<table><thead><tr><th>Factor</th><th>Braces</th><th>Clear aligners</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Visibility</td><td>More visible metal or ceramic brackets</td><td>Less visible clear trays</td></tr><tr><td>Removable</td><td>Fixed to teeth, not removable</td><td>Removable for eating and cleaning</td></tr><tr><td>Best suited for</td><td>Complex tooth and bite movements</td><td>Mild to moderate cases</td></tr><tr><td>Daily effort</td><td>Works without remembering to wear them</td><td>Works only if worn most of the day</td></tr><tr><td>Cleaning</td><td>Needs care to clean around brackets and wires</td><td>Easier to brush and floss with trays out</td></tr></tbody></table>
How to Prepare
Before your first visit, gather your dental history and a list of questions. Bring your insurance details if you have coverage. Keep up with brushing and flossing, since healthy gums make treatment smoother. The American Dental Association stresses that daily cleaning is the foundation of dental health.[2]
What to Expect During Treatment
Expect a clear sequence: a consultation, a treatment plan, regular adjustment visits, and a retention phase. Each step builds on the one before it.
The First Visit
Your first visit is usually an exam and consultation. The orthodontist looks at your teeth, jaws, and bite, and often takes photos, scans, or X-rays. This is when treatment planning begins.
A practice such as McReynolds Orthodontics uses this information to map out your options. You should leave knowing your likely treatment type, rough timeline, and the next step.
Consider a common example. A parent brings in a 12 year old whose front teeth overlap and who struggles to clean between them. At the first visit, the orthodontist takes scans, explains that braces could fix the crowding over about 18 to 24 months, and reviews the likely cost and insurance benefits. The family leaves with a written plan and a clear next step. Cases differ, but this shows how a first visit turns a worry into a plan.
Active Treatment and Check-Ups
Once treatment starts, you return for adjustments every few weeks. With braces, the orthodontist tightens or changes wires. With aligners, you move to the next set of trays on schedule.
Mild soreness for a day or two after an adjustment is normal. McReynolds Orthodontics and other practices coach patients on cleaning around braces or trays, since this protects teeth throughout care. Good cleaning matters because plaque buildup raises the risk of decay, as the American Dental Association notes.[2]
Risks and Side Effects to Know
Orthodontic treatment is safe for most people, but like any care it carries some risks. Knowing them helps you protect your teeth during treatment and ask good questions.
Plaque can build up around braces and leave white spots on the enamel. Some research suggests these marks are a common side effect of fixed braces, and that using fluoride every day lowers the risk.[4] This is one more reason daily cleaning matters so much during treatment.
A small amount of root shortening can also happen as teeth move. A systematic review found that this change is usually minor and does not threaten the tooth for most patients, though it is a known risk your orthodontist watches for with X-rays.[5]
After treatment, teeth tend to drift back toward their old positions. Evidence on which retainer type works best is still limited, but research agrees that wearing a retainer as directed is needed to hold your results.[6]
After the Braces Come Off
When teeth reach their final positions, the active phase ends and the retention phase begins. Most patients wear a retainer to hold the results. Teeth can drift back without one, so wearing it as directed is part of the plan.[6] This is where McReynolds maintains contact with patients to check that results hold over time.
Cost Factors and Insurance
Orthodontic costs depend on your case, your provider, and where you live. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity, so ask for a written estimate before you agree to treatment.
Several things drive the total. A short, simple case costs less than a long, complex one. Braces and clear aligners may be priced differently. The length of treatment and the number of visits also matter. Because these factors differ for every patient, single price figures rarely reflect what you will actually pay.
Many dental insurance plans include some orthodontic benefit, often with a lifetime cap and an age limit. Ask your plan what it covers and whether it applies to adults. A practice like McReynolds Orthodontics can usually help you understand your estimate and check your benefits. The American Association of Orthodontists offers general guidance for patients comparing care.[1]
When to See an Orthodontist Instead of Your Dentist
See an orthodontist when teeth are crowded or crooked, when the bite is off, or when your dentist suggests a specialist. A general dentist handles routine care; an orthodontist focuses on alignment.
Watch for clear signs. Teeth that overlap heavily, gaps that bother you, jaws that click or do not meet evenly, and difficulty chewing all point toward orthodontic care. For children, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that first check by age 7 so problems are caught early.[1]
Here is a simple way to decide between the two roles. A general dentist and an orthodontist do different jobs, so matching your need to the right provider saves time and money. Use this quick guide:
- If your teeth are crowded, crooked, or overlap heavily, an orthodontist is the right specialist to evaluate alignment.
- If your bite feels off, your jaw clicks, or chewing is hard, ask for an orthodontic evaluation.
- If you mainly need a cleaning, a filling, or a routine check-up, your general dentist is the right home base.
- If you are not sure, start with your general dentist, who can refer you to an orthodontist when alignment is the main concern.
Find an Orthodontic Specialist
Ready to take the next step? Compare orthodontic specialists and learn more about treatment options on the orthodontics page. Look for a provider whose training, communication, and approach to a patient's total dental health fit your needs, then schedule a consultation to get a personalized plan.
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