When it comes to orthodontic treatment, misinformation abounds. Perhaps you’ve heard that braces are only for kids, that treatment takes forever, or that straightening teeth is purely cosmetic. These myths—and many others—prevent countless people from pursuing treatment that could dramatically improve their oral health and quality of life.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jordan Jaffe encounters these misconceptions regularly. As a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics with years of experience transforming smiles throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Dr. Jaffe has seen how myths can delay treatment, create unnecessary anxiety, or lead patients to make uninformed decisions about their care.
Let’s separate fact from fiction and debunk the most common myths about orthodontic treatment.
The Truth: There’s no age limit on achieving a straighter, healthier smile.
This is perhaps the most pervasive myth about orthodontics, and it’s simply not true. While childhood and adolescence are ideal times for certain types of orthodontic intervention—particularly those that guide jaw growth—adults can absolutely benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age.
In fact, adult orthodontics has grown tremendously in recent years. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, adults now make up a significant portion of orthodontic patients. Many adults who couldn’t afford braces as children, had orthodontic relapse, or simply didn’t prioritize treatment earlier are now choosing to invest in their smiles.
The biological process that allows teeth to move—bone remodeling—works throughout life, not just during youth. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, orthodontic treatment can be successful whether you’re 25, 45, or 65.
What does change with age is the approach. Adult treatment may take slightly longer than adolescent treatment because adult bone is denser. Adults are also more likely to have existing dental work, gum recession, or other factors that influence treatment planning. But with proper care from an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Jaffe, adults achieve excellent results every day.
The Truth: Today’s patients have more treatment options than ever before.
When many people think of orthodontics, they picture traditional metal braces—and while metal braces remain an excellent and effective treatment option, they’re far from the only choice.
Modern orthodontic options include:
Traditional metal braces have evolved significantly. Today’s brackets are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than those from previous generations.
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend with your natural teeth, offering a less noticeable alternative to metal while providing the same precise control.
Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, virtually invisible plastic trays. They’re removable, comfortable, and popular with adults and teens who want a discreet treatment option.
Lingual braces are placed on the back surfaces of teeth, making them completely invisible from the front.
The best treatment option depends on your specific orthodontic needs, lifestyle, and preferences. During a consultation at Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jaffe will evaluate your situation and discuss which options would work best for you.
Ready to explore your orthodontic options? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics or call our Barrington office at (401) 245-2626, Portsmouth at (401) 293-5555, or Swansea at (508) 375-3846 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
The Truth: Straightening teeth provides significant health benefits beyond aesthetics.
While a beautiful smile is certainly a wonderful outcome of orthodontic treatment, the benefits extend far beyond appearance. Properly aligned teeth and jaws contribute to overall health in numerous ways.
Improved oral hygiene. Crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth create hard-to-reach areas where plaque and bacteria accumulate. Straight teeth are much easier to brush and floss effectively, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Better digestion. When teeth don’t meet properly, chewing efficiency suffers. Properly aligned teeth allow you to chew food thoroughly, which is the first step in healthy digestion.
Reduced jaw pain. Bite misalignment can strain the jaw joints and muscles, leading to TMJ disorders, headaches, and facial pain. Orthodontic treatment that corrects your bite can relieve these symptoms.
Decreased wear and tear. Misaligned teeth often wear unevenly, with certain teeth bearing more force than they should. This can lead to premature wear, chips, and fractures. Proper alignment distributes biting forces evenly.
Lower risk of dental trauma. Protruding front teeth are significantly more vulnerable to injury during falls and accidents. Bringing them into proper alignment offers protection.
Clearer speech. Certain orthodontic issues can affect speech clarity. Correcting these problems can improve articulation.
So while you’ll certainly enjoy your improved appearance, you’ll also be investing in your long-term oral and overall health.
The Truth: Treatment time varies significantly, and many cases are completed faster than you’d expect.
The idea that orthodontic treatment always takes three or four years is outdated. While some complex cases do require extended treatment, many patients complete their orthodontic journey in 12 to 18 months—and some simpler cases can be finished even faster.
Several factors influence treatment duration, including the complexity of your case and how much tooth movement is needed, the type of treatment you choose, your age (adult treatment may take slightly longer), your compliance with treatment instructions (wearing aligners, rubber bands, etc.), and the technology and techniques your orthodontist uses.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jaffe uses advanced technology like 3D imaging and digital treatment planning to create efficient treatment plans. For patients who want to accelerate their results, AcceleDent technology can reduce treatment time by up to 50% by stimulating bone remodeling.
The best way to get an accurate estimate of your treatment time is through a consultation. Dr. Jaffe can evaluate your specific situation and give you a realistic timeline.
The Truth: Modern orthodontics is more comfortable than ever, and any discomfort is manageable.
Fear of pain keeps many people from pursuing orthodontic treatment, but the reality is far less scary than the myth suggests.
Is orthodontic treatment completely sensation-free? No. When braces are first placed or adjusted, or when you switch to a new set of aligners, you’ll likely experience some pressure and tenderness as your teeth begin to move. This is normal—it means the treatment is working.
However, this discomfort is typically mild and temporary, lasting a few days at most. It can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, soft foods, and orthodontic wax (for braces). Most patients find that the discomfort decreases with each adjustment as they become accustomed to the sensation.
Modern advances have also made treatment more comfortable overall. Today’s braces use gentler, more consistent forces than older designs. Heat-activated wires apply steady, light pressure rather than the aggressive forces of the past. And clear aligners like Invisalign are known for being particularly comfortable since they have no brackets or wires to irritate soft tissues.
The Truth: Braces don’t have to sideline your activities.
This myth causes particular concern for parents of active children and teens. The good news is that orthodontic treatment doesn’t mean giving up sports or music.
Sports. Athletes with braces simply need to wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and soft tissues. Orthodontic mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably over braces and provide excellent protection. For Invisalign patients, aligners can be removed during sports and replaced with a regular mouthguard.
Musical instruments. Wind and brass instruments may require a brief adjustment period while you get used to playing with braces. Most musicians adapt within a few weeks. Orthodontic wax can help cushion lips against brackets during this transition. Invisalign aligners can be removed for performances if preferred.
Many professional athletes and musicians have worn braces while competing and performing at the highest levels. Don’t let this myth keep you or your child from treatment.
Don’t let myths hold you back from the smile you deserve. Schedule your consultation at Jaffe Orthodontics today. Call (401) 245-2626 (Barrington), (401) 293-5555 (Portsmouth), or (508) 375-3846 (Swansea).
The Truth: At-home aligners and DIY methods can cause serious, permanent damage.
The rise of direct-to-consumer clear aligner companies has led some people to believe that professional orthodontic supervision is unnecessary. This is a dangerous misconception.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about moving teeth—it’s about moving them safely and correctly within the context of your overall oral health. When you see a qualified orthodontist like Dr. Jaffe, you receive a comprehensive examination including X-rays to evaluate roots, bone, and hidden problems. You benefit from a customized treatment plan that considers your unique anatomy. You have regular monitoring to ensure teeth are moving properly and safely. You get immediate attention if problems arise. And you receive professional expertise to handle complications.
DIY approaches and mail-order aligners skip these crucial safeguards. Without proper diagnosis, underlying issues like gum disease, cavities, or bone loss may go undetected and worsen during treatment. Teeth can be moved into positions that damage roots or bone. Bite problems can develop or worsen. And when things go wrong, fixing the damage often costs far more than professional treatment would have in the first place.
The American Association of Orthodontists and American Dental Association have both warned about the risks of unsupervised orthodontic treatment. Your smile is too important to risk on shortcuts.
The Truth: Retention is essential for maintaining your results.
This myth leads to one of the most common orthodontic regrets: patients who stop wearing their retainers and watch their teeth gradually shift back.
Teeth have a natural tendency to move throughout life due to the elastic memory of the tissues around them, ongoing forces from chewing, speaking, and normal oral function, and age-related changes in bone and soft tissue.
The only way to ensure your teeth stay straight after orthodontic treatment is to wear your retainers as directed—typically full-time initially, then at night long-term. Retention is a lifetime commitment, but it’s a small price to pay for maintaining your beautiful results.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, we emphasize the importance of retention from the very beginning of treatment so patients understand that their commitment doesn’t end when braces come off.
The Truth: Training, experience, and approach vary significantly among providers.
Choosing an orthodontist is an important decision, and not all providers offer the same level of expertise.
First, it’s important to understand the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist. While all orthodontists are dentists, not all dentists are orthodontists. Orthodontists complete an additional two to three years of specialized residency training focused exclusively on tooth movement and facial development after dental school.
Beyond basic qualification, there are further distinctions. Board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics represents an additional commitment to excellence. Only about one-third of practicing orthodontists achieve this voluntary certification, which requires passing rigorous examinations and demonstrating clinical excellence.
Dr. Jordan Jaffe is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, reflecting his dedication to the highest standards of care. He also invests in continuing education and advanced technology to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment.
When choosing an orthodontist, consider their credentials, experience, technology, and the overall feel of the practice. A consultation is a great opportunity to evaluate whether a practice is the right fit for you.
The Truth: Treatment is more affordable and accessible than many people realize.
Cost concerns prevent many people from pursuing orthodontic treatment, often based on outdated assumptions about pricing.
While orthodontic treatment is an investment, several factors make it more accessible than you might think.
Insurance coverage. Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that can cover a significant portion of treatment costs.
Flexible payment plans. Most orthodontic practices, including Jaffe Orthodontics, offer monthly payment plans that spread the cost over time, often with little or no interest.
FSA and HSA accounts. Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts can be used for orthodontic treatment, allowing you to pay with pre-tax dollars.
Long-term value. Consider the long-term value of orthodontic treatment. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, potentially reducing future dental costs. A confident smile can benefit your personal and professional life. And the health benefits of proper alignment last a lifetime.
During your consultation at Jaffe Orthodontics, our team will discuss all costs upfront and help you explore payment options that work for your budget.
Have questions about orthodontic treatment? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics or call (401) 245-2626 (Barrington), (401) 293-5555 (Portsmouth), or (508) 375-3846 (Swansea) to get the facts.
The Truth: Early evaluation can identify problems best treated while children are still growing.
Many parents believe they should wait until all permanent teeth have erupted before considering orthodontic evaluation. The American Association of Orthodontists actually recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven.
Why so early? By age seven, enough permanent teeth have typically emerged to identify developing problems. More importantly, children’s jaws are still growing, which creates opportunities to guide development in ways that become difficult or impossible once growth is complete.
Early intervention—sometimes called Phase 1 treatment—can correct harmful oral habits that affect development, guide jaw growth to create space for emerging teeth, reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth, address crossbites before they cause asymmetric growth, and potentially simplify or shorten later treatment.
Not every child who comes in for an early evaluation will need treatment. Often, Dr. Jaffe will simply monitor development and recommend the optimal time for treatment if it becomes necessary. But identifying problems early provides options that may not be available later.
The Truth: Invisalign has advanced significantly and can now treat a wide range of orthodontic issues.
When Invisalign first launched, it was primarily suited for minor crowding and spacing issues. This led to a perception that clear aligners are only for simple cases—a myth that persists today despite significant advances in the technology.
Modern Invisalign can effectively treat many of the same conditions traditionally addressed with braces, including moderate to severe crowding, gaps between teeth, overbites and underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
The key is having an experienced provider who knows how to leverage Invisalign’s capabilities. Dr. Jaffe has extensive experience with Invisalign and can evaluate whether it’s appropriate for your specific case.
That said, some complex cases are still better served by braces, which offer certain advantages in terms of precise control. During your consultation, Dr. Jaffe will honestly assess your situation and recommend the treatment option most likely to achieve your goals.
Myths and misconceptions can create unnecessary barriers to treatment or lead to poor decisions about your care. The best way to get accurate information about orthodontic treatment is to consult with a qualified orthodontist who can evaluate your specific situation and answer your questions.
At Jaffe Orthodontics, Dr. Jordan Jaffe and our team are committed to patient education. We believe informed patients make better decisions about their care and have better treatment experiences.
Ready to separate fact from fiction and learn what orthodontic treatment could do for you? Contact Jaffe Orthodontics today to schedule your complimentary consultation. Call our Barrington office at (401) 245-2626, Portsmouth at (401) 293-5555, or Swansea at (508) 375-3846. We proudly serve patients throughout Rhode Island—including Bristol, Warren, Tiverton, Middletown, and Providence—and Southeastern Massachusetts. Get the facts and discover your path to a healthier, more confident smile!
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Thank you for choosing Dr. Jordan Jaffe as your local Barrington, Portsmouth, Bristol, Middletown, RI and Swansea, MA orthodontist. At Jaffe Orthodontics, we work hard to accommodate your schedule and make an appointment that works best for you. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation for our clear braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen treatment and more please fill out the form below. Once you submit our form, a member of our Barrington and Portsmouth orthodontics staff will contact you as soon as possible.