Got questions? We have answers! Your orthodontic FAQs

Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry. Orthodontics is the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of irregularities in the teeth, jaws and face. These problems are called “malocclusion” which means “bad bite”.

Malocclusions can be inherited or can result from accidents or environmental factors. They affect alignment of teeth and the development of the facial appearance

Inherited problems include:

• Overcrowding, where there is not enough space for your teeth
• Too much space between the teeth
• Extra or missing teeth

Acquired (environmental) malocclusions can result from

• Accidents
• Sucking fingers, thumbs or pacifiers
• Tonsils or adenoids
• Disease or early loss of baby teeth or adult permanent teeth

Maintaining oral hygiene is far more difficult when teeth are overcrowded or misaligned. Oral health is crucial for long-term overall health. Gum disease and cavities can, in rare cases, cause further damage to the rest of the jaw and bones of the face.

However, for many people, the main benefit is aesthetic. Children, teenagers and adults alike all benefit from the increase in confidence and self-esteem that a winning smile provides.

All orthodontists start as dentists first, completing their five years of training. Orthodontists then spend another three years of additional specialty training in orthodontics at a reputable university.

Orthodontists in NZ are also:

• Registered with The Dental Council of New Zealand as a dental specialist
• Certified by professional organisations like the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists (NZAO).

Orthodontists treat patients for jaw realignment, teeth straightening and other related procedures. Dentists do fillings, drilling, tooth whitening, cleans and extractions.

Most orthodontic treatment can be done without needing to remove teeth. However, in some situations tooth extraction may be recommended.The decision to remove teeth is a highly specialised judgement, done in consultation with the patient. We will undergo a rigorous examination and analysis to assess the cost and risk-benefit to you before recommending extraction.

Whilst we welcome dentist referrals, you can self-refer to our practice. Some patients are also referred by school dental therapists and family dentists, trained to detect potential issues and make recommendations.

We welcome adult, teenage and child patients! Age is no barrier to treatment. Whilst we recommend your child first visits us from age 6, some treatment is not possible until your child has all their adult teeth through, around ages 10-14.

Functional appliances use force to gently move the muscle and soft tissues of the face to straighten teeth. These are often used for children to help support their jaw and arch development, following a highly specialised and thorough analysis.

No, they may require a little time for you to adjust wearing them, but they should not hurt. When your teeth first start to move, they may feel a little tender. A soft diet and over the counter pain relief helps to ease this minor discomfort in the early days.

Treatment time can range from six months to three years, depending on the severity of the problem. Treatment times also depend on your cooperation and the growth of your mouth and face, especially in younger patients. It’s key to ensure you keep your scheduled orthodontic appointments, maintain oral hygiene, and take care of your braces.

Some people respond faster to treatment than others. Minor problems may require less time. After treatment is completed, retainers may need to be worn to stop the teeth moving again. Teeth can still continue to move throughout your life, due to the natural ageing process.

Orthodontic treatment costs vary and reflect the severity of the problem and the length of treatment required. With no hidden costs, we can discuss payment plans to accommodate all budgets. If full payment can be made, we offer a courtesy fee discount.

After your consultation, you’ll be given all your treatment options. We’ll recommend the option that we think is best to achieve the results you’re looking for.

At Auckland Orthodontics we use traditional stainless steel (metal) braces, clear ceramic braces and the very popular Invisalign® aligners.

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MARPE (Mini-Screw Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) is an orthodontic technique designed to widen a narrow upper jaw by using small temporary mini-screws placed into the palate to help deliver expansion forces more directly to the underlying jaw rather than relying solely on the teeth.

Traditional expanders are generally supported primarily by the teeth, whereas MARPE uses additional skeletal anchorage. This can make it a useful option for some older adolescents and adults where conventional tooth-supported expansion may be less predictable.

At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga assesses each patient’s age, jaw development, dental relationships and individual anatomy before determining whether conventional expansion, MARPE or another approach is appropriate.

Age is one of several factors that may influence whether MARPE is appropriate. MARPE can be considered for selected adolescents and adults, but there is no single age at which it automatically becomes unsuitable. Individual anatomy, skeletal maturity, palatal bone characteristics and the degree of upper-jaw constriction all need to be considered.

At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga will assess your individual circumstances and, where appropriate, use 3D imaging such as CBCT to help determine whether MARPE is a suitable option.

The cost of MARPE varies depending on the complexity of the case, the appliance required, monitoring and whether MARPE forms part of comprehensive orthodontic treatment. At Auckland Orthodontics, treatment fees are discussed following an individual assessment. Interest-free payment plans are available to help spread the cost of treatment.

MARPE involves placing small temporary mini-screws into the palate, so some pressure, tenderness or soreness can be expected following placement and during the initial stages of expansion. Patients may also notice a temporary gap developing between the upper front teeth as the upper jaw expands. Most patients adapt relatively quickly.

MARPE can widen a constricted upper jaw and, in appropriate patients, this may also increase the dimensions of the nasal cavity and influence nasal airflow. However, MARPE is not a treatment or cure for sleep apnoea in every patient. Snoring, mouth breathing and obstructive sleep apnoea can have multiple causes.

At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga takes an airway-aware approach by considering breathing and airway-related factors where relevant. If significant sleep or breathing concerns are present, assessment by an ENT specialist or sleep physician may also be recommended.

As with any orthodontic procedure, MARPE has potential risks and limitations. Temporary soreness, pressure, gum irritation and a gap between the upper front teeth can occur during treatment. Less common complications can include loosening or irritation around the mini-screws, inflammation, inadequate skeletal expansion or an asymmetric response.

In some cases, the desired amount of skeletal expansion may not be achieved with MARPE alone. If this occurs, alternative approaches may include modifying the treatment, considering another form of expansion or, in selected cases, surgically assisted expansion.

MARPE involves detailed orthodontic and skeletal assessment, treatment planning and placement and management of temporary skeletal anchorage. It is therefore important to choose a clinician with appropriate specialist training and specific experience in skeletal expansion. Dr Nitin Raniga is a Specialist Orthodontist at Auckland Orthodontics.

Maxillary expansion is an orthodontic treatment used to widen a narrow upper jaw and dental arch. Depending on the individual patient, expansion can create additional space within the mouth and may also increase the dimensions of the nasal cavity.

In some patients, widening a constricted upper jaw may contribute to improved nasal airflow, although the extent of any breathing benefit varies between individuals. Maxillary expansion is primarily an orthodontic treatment, and decisions about expansion are based on the patient’s individual dental and skeletal needs.

Being airway-aware means recognising that breathing, nasal airway function, mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing and tongue posture can be relevant considerations when assessing a patient’s orthodontic needs.

At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga and Dr Hu take these factors into consideration as part of the overall assessment and treatment-planning process. Where potential airway or breathing concerns are identified, we may recommend further assessment or work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

In selected patients, particularly children with a significantly narrow upper jaw, maxillary expansion may increase nasal cavity dimensions and improve nasal airflow. However, snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea can have many different causes, and maxillary expansion should not be considered a universal treatment or cure for these conditions.

Some features that may indicate a narrow upper jaw include a narrow or constricted upper dental arch, dental crowding, a posterior crossbite, a high or narrow palate, difficulty maintaining nasal breathing, persistent mouth breathing, and snoring or restless sleep.

These signs do not necessarily mean that a child requires expansion, as breathing and sleep issues can have a number of causes. An early orthodontic assessment can be helpful because some jaw-development issues are easier to address while a child is still growing.

Adults can undergo maxillary expansion, but the approach is different because the upper-jaw sutures become more mature with age. Treatment options may include conventional tooth-borne expansion, skeletal expansion techniques such as MARPE, or surgically assisted expansion. The most appropriate approach depends on factors including age, skeletal maturity and the patient’s overall orthodontic needs.

There is no single starting point for every child because breathing difficulties can have dental, skeletal, nasal, ENT or sleep-related causes. Your family dentist or GP is a good starting point. An orthodontic assessment can be particularly useful where there are concerns about a narrow upper jaw, crossbite, crowding or facial and dental development.

Rather than looking solely for an orthodontist who describes themselves as “airway-focused”, it is useful to look for a registered orthodontic specialist who takes a comprehensive approach to assessment and considers airway and breathing factors where clinically relevant.

At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga and Dr Hu consider factors such as upper-jaw development, dental arch width, bite, facial growth and oral function as part of the orthodontic assessment. Where appropriate, breathing and airway-related concerns can also be discussed and investigated further.

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the case, the type of braces selected, the expected treatment time and the individual treatment plan. At Auckland Orthodontics, we provide a personalised treatment plan and fee following an assessment with Dr Nitin Raniga or Dr Allen Hu. We also offer payment plans to help make orthodontic treatment more manageable for families.

Publicly funded orthodontic treatment in New Zealand is limited and is generally prioritised for children with significant orthodontic needs who meet the relevant clinical eligibility criteria. Being under 18 does not automatically qualify a child for publicly funded braces. Your family dentist or school dental service can advise whether your child may be eligible for assessment through the public system.

Yes. Auckland Orthodontics offers payment plans to help families spread the cost of orthodontic treatment over time. Private health insurance coverage for orthodontics varies considerably between policies. We recommend checking your individual policy with your insurer before commencing treatment.

Orthodontic treatment with braces commonly takes around 18–24 months, although treatment time varies considerably between patients. Some straightforward cases can be completed more quickly, while more complex cases may take longer. Once braces are removed, retention is an important part of protecting your result.

There are several types of orthodontic appliances available, including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces (tooth-coloured brackets), 3D-customised braces such as LightForce, and clear aligners such as Invisalign and Angel Aligners. The most appropriate option depends on your teeth, bite, jaw development, treatment complexity, lifestyle and personal preferences.

There is no specific upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. Adults can successfully undergo orthodontic treatment provided their teeth, gums and supporting bone are healthy enough to safely move the teeth. Crowns, fillings, veneers, bridges or other existing dental work do not necessarily prevent orthodontic treatment.

Having braces fitted is generally not painful, although it is normal to experience some pressure, tenderness or sensitivity for a few days after braces are placed and following some subsequent adjustments. During treatment, you may occasionally experience a loose bracket or a wire that becomes uncomfortable. If this happens, contact our team and we will advise you.

Yes. Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment. Once teeth have been moved into their new positions, they have a natural tendency to shift over time. At Auckland Orthodontics, we provide in-house digitally designed and 3D-printed retainers. Retainer wear is a long-term commitment, and ongoing night-time wear is generally recommended.

With fixed braces, we recommend avoiding or being particularly careful with hard, sticky and chewy foods, as these can damage brackets or wires. Good oral hygiene is particularly important while wearing braces. Brush carefully around the brackets and gumline and use an interdental brush or other appropriate cleaning aids. Regular dental check-ups with your general dentist should also continue.

The cost of clear aligner treatment varies depending on the complexity of the orthodontic problem, the number of aligners required, the expected treatment time and the treatment plan. At Auckland Orthodontics, we provide a personalised treatment plan and fee following an assessment with Dr Nitin Raniga or Dr Allen Hu. We also offer payment plans.

Clear aligners are removable and relatively discreet. They allow you to remove the aligners when eating and brushing your teeth. Fixed braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment and can provide precise control for a wide range of tooth movements and more complex orthodontic problems. At Auckland Orthodontics, Dr Raniga or Dr Hu will assess your individual needs before recommending the most appropriate option.

There are several clear aligner systems available, including Invisalign, Angel Aligners and other orthodontic aligner systems. While the materials and digital planning systems can differ between brands, the most important consideration is the diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical supervision provided by the orthodontist. At Auckland Orthodontics, we select the aligner system according to the individual patient’s treatment requirements.

Clear aligners can be used to treat a wide range of orthodontic problems. However, some complex tooth movements, significant skeletal discrepancies, impacted teeth or cases requiring extensive bite correction may be better managed with fixed braces, a combination of appliances or surgical orthodontic treatment.

Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of the case and how consistently the aligners are worn. Some relatively straightforward cases can be completed in several months, while more comprehensive orthodontic treatment may take 12–24 months or longer. Clear aligners are generally worn for most of the day and night.

Orthodontic treatment involves moving teeth within the supporting bone and can affect your bite, gums and overall oral health. For this reason, appropriate diagnosis, treatment planning and professional monitoring are important. We believe that clear aligner treatment should be clinically supervised by an appropriately qualified dental professional, rather than relying solely on remote or automated monitoring.

Yes. Retention is an essential part of orthodontic treatment, whether your teeth were straightened with clear aligners or braces. At Auckland Orthodontics, we provide in-house digitally designed and 3D-printed retainers. Long-term night-time wear is generally recommended to maintain your orthodontic result.

Rinse your aligners with cool or lukewarm water when you remove them. Clean them regularly using an appropriate aligner-cleaning method. Avoid hot water, which can distort the plastic. Brush and floss your teeth regularly before replacing your aligners.