Be Fully Informed

We throw a lot of information at you when you see us as a new patient. The intention isn’t to overwhelm you, instead it’s to ensure you have your full health information, and your right to be fully informed is exercised. We make sure that everything is written in plain language, and will go through everything step by step. We welcome your questions, and are here to support you from the beginning of your journey, right through to the leaving smile. Beautiful smiles are a right everyone should enjoy - we’re here to make it easy.

The questions worth asking before you start orthodontic treatment

Being fully informed is easier when you know what to ask. Orthodontic treatment is a real investment of time and money, and the right questions early on save confusion later. Here is a plain guide to the things worth checking before you commit, wherever in New Zealand you are treated.

Are you a specialist orthodontist or a general dentist?

This is the single most useful question, and you are entitled to a straight answer. A general dentist can offer some tooth straightening, but a specialist orthodontist has completed a dental degree and then several further years of full-time university training focused entirely on moving teeth, guiding jaw growth and correcting bites. In New Zealand the title "specialist orthodontist" is protected and registered. If you want to confirm someone's registration, you can check the public register held by the Dental Council of New Zealand at dcnz.org.nz. Asking who will actually plan and carry out your treatment, appointment to appointment, is completely reasonable.

What exactly does the quote include?

A clear quote should leave nothing to guess at. Before you sign anything, ask whether the figure covers your diagnostic records and X-rays, all of your active appointments, your braces or aligners, your retainers at the end, and the aftercare that follows. Ask what happens if a bracket comes loose or an aligner needs replacing, and whether there are separate charges for those. At Milk our fees are all-inclusive for exactly this reason, so the number you are quoted is the number you pay. Whatever practice you choose, ask for the full picture in writing. You can compare how we set ours out on our pricing page.

How long will treatment take, and how often will I be seen?

Ask for an honest estimate of the overall timeframe and the rhythm of visits, so you can plan around school, work and life. No one can promise an exact end date, because teeth move at their own pace, but a specialist can give you a realistic range and explain what might lengthen or shorten it.

What is the retention plan?

Straightening teeth is only half the job. Teeth naturally drift throughout life, so every good treatment plan includes retainers and a clear plan for wearing them. Ask what type of retainer you will have, how long you will wear it, and what happens if it is ever lost or broken. Retention is not an optional add-on, it is what protects everything you have invested in. You can read more on our retainers page.

What happens if I move city partway through?

Life moves people around, and orthodontic treatment can run for a year or two. If there is any chance you will relocate, ask early how a transfer would work, whether your records can be shared with another specialist, and how any fees are handled if you leave partway through. Knowing this before you start saves a great deal of stress later.

Who is on the team, and what technology do you use?

It is fair to ask who you will be dealing with beyond the orthodontist, and how the practice runs. Ask whether you will have a consistent team who get to know you, how you reach someone if a bracket breaks or a question comes up between visits, and what happens in an out-of-hours situation. You might also ask how records are taken, since many practices now use gentle digital scans in place of the old putty impressions. These are small details, but they tell you a lot about how a practice will look after you across a year or two of treatment.

Do I need a referral, and how do I get started?

In New Zealand you do not need a referral from your dentist to see an orthodontist. You can book directly. At Milk the first step is a complimentary Smile Assessment, where we look at your smile, answer your questions in plain language and tell you honestly whether now is the right time. We can usually see new patients within three weeks, at our Newmarket clinic, with our Albany clinic opening in August 2026. If a written treatment plan is the next step, everything is set out for you before you decide anything.

If you would like a second opinion or simply want your questions answered without pressure, you are welcome to call us on (09) 520 1880 or book a Smile Assessment. Being fully informed is your right, and we would far rather you asked ten questions than left wondering about one. If you would like independent background on the profession, the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists at orthodontists.org.nz is a helpful place to start.