FAQ Category: Braces FAQs

If you’ve transfer from outside of New Zealand to Randal you’ll be treated as a new patient to ensure continuity of care and to ensure that you receive the very best possible outcome for you and your smile.

It is practice policy to remove all braces placed by any overseas orthodontist to ensure that the treatment plan and the materials used are coherent with our practice and in line with best practice guidelines in New Zealand.

This can happy often so don’t worry if this happens to you – Randal’s well used to dealing with this situation.

Your treatment can be transferred to another orthodontist, preferably one who uses the same appliances. You will be provided with your records and a transfer letter for your new orthodontist detailing where you are in your treatment.

Your treatment fee would be reassessed using a national formula provided by NZAO – adjusting the fee for the amount of treatment undergone and that’s still remaining and will be worked out between Randal and your new orthodontist.

After the braces have been removed it is essential that your teeth are held while the teeth “set” in their new positions and in the longer term to avoid small unwanted changes.

This can be achieved with the use of an upper removable plate and a fixed wire bonded behind the lower front teeth. You will wear the plate full time to begin with and then gradually reduce the amount of wear.

Because we now understand that, like the rest of your body, with wear and age some tooth movement is expected, retainers need to be worn from time to time to avoid any unwanted changes.

We will monitor you retention for up to 2 years after the braces have been removed and will advise you about any problems you may have with eruption of the wisdom teeth.

You should be able to play just about any sport or activity. We do however strongly recommend that you wear a mouth guard in contact sports, or for any other sports where there is a chance that you can get hit in the face.

Yes absolutely!  We recommend you continue to see your dentist for your regular check-ups once a year while receiving orthodontic treatment. This will help to ensure your teeth remain clean and healthy throughout your treatment.

There are some foods you’ll need to avoid when wearing braces but on the whole, your diet isn’t likely to change very much while you’re wearing braces. The main thing to remember is that if you damage your braces, this can affect the length of your treatment time. When we fit you with braces, we’ll let you know what is best to eat and what you should avoid, like hard boiled sweets, chewing gum and sugary drinks!

Yes, and it is very important that you do so. If your teeth are not kept in the best possible condition this can affect your treatment. Checkout our braces care section on how to keep your teeth and braces clean during treatment. It’s super easy!

It is very important that you keep your teeth very clean. The glue we use to put the braces on with is very weak (so we can take them off easily at the end of your treatment) so you will have to cut up any hard foods you choose to eat.

We ask that you avoid energy or sports drinks and only soft drinks as a treat! These types of drinks are very acidic and sugary and will make holes in your teeth in no time (whether you have braces on or not).

We’ll provide you with lots of information at the time your treatment starts. Seeing us regularly does NOT mean you don’t need to see your dentist regularly during treatment and extra dental hygiene visits to care for your teeth during treatment may also be recommended.

Yes, orthodontic treatment is for everyone – children, teenagers and adults. And at Randal McAlister Orthodontics, we have teeth straightening treatment options that are suitable, whatever your age. We really do believe no-one is too old for orthodontic treatment.

No, braces don’t hurt. When they are first placed, and during your treatment when they are tightened, this can cause your teeth to become tender and slightly uncomfortable, but this bruised feeling will only last for a day or two and you may feel like a softer diet and some pain relief.