FAQs

Everything you need to know about your treatment…

What is Orthodontics?

The specialty of orthodontics is well known in some countries, but here in Kenya our clinic is the first one exclusively dedicated to orthodontics. Here are some FAQs to help you understand what orthodontics is all about. You will also find FAQs about your treatment and after care.

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is all about giving you the confidence of a great smile, and a firm healthy bite. It involves gently altering the positions of the teeth using braces or removable aligners to improve their position without damaging them.

Orthodontics was the first specialty created in the field of dentistry. It is a specialty that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of poorly positioned teeth and jaws, giving you a beautiful smile…naturally.

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone a three to five year full time post-graduate training in the field of orthodontics. Once training is complete, they are recognised as a specialist in their field.

Kenya has only six registered specialist orthodontists. Many dentists provide orthodontic treatment without having gone through any specialist training; these are commonly referred to as “Ortho-dentists”. While they charge less than a specialist, their skill is limited to providing treatment for only simple cases.

Who should have orthodontic treatment?

There are three common reasons people choose to have orthodontics:

Those who require treatment for health reasons, such as having a poor bite, or jaw alignment that is disruptive to the individual’s health.
For patients whose teeth are not aligned properly and look “out of place”. Check this cool vid as an example.
For those patients who lack confidence in their smile and choose to have cosmetic work done to give them that edge.

At Kenya Orthodontics, we guarantee that we will give genuine, honest advice and not sell you any treatment that you do not need.

At what age can you have orthodontic treatment?

At any age as long as your teeth and gums are healthy.

Children whose adult teeth are not fully formed may require some orthodontic work in order to allow their adult teeth to position themselves better.

The most common years for orthodontic treatment is for teenagers whose adult teeth and jaws are in their optimum years of being formed. However, we treat people of all ages as it is never too late to get the perfect smile.

Should I Get Treatment?

Choosing to invest into your child’s or your smile can be quite daunting. We have answered some of your questions to help you make the best decision.

What types of treatment are there?

There are two standard types of treatment: using braces which are permanently stuck to your teeth or there are aligners which are removable and fasten over the teeth. There are also retainer-type removable braces which are used to treat younger children.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment takes between 6 and 24 months – it depends on how complex your teeth positions are. A few can take longer than two years. It is important to know that you, as a patient, can make your treatment longer.

Treatment takes the form of regular visits to the orthodontist to adjust your brace as they slowly move your teeth into position. Visits are usually every 6 to 8 weeks. The longer you go between visits, such as missing one, the longer it takes to move your teeth. Breaking your brace can also add to the treatment time. If you stick to the plan, you can complete your treatment in the best amount of time.

How much does treatment cost?

Treatment costs depend on two things: first, the type of brace you choose to suit your lifestyle. This can be standard, ligated, ceramic, hidden or aligners. Each type of brace varies in price – depending on the manufacturer. The second factor is how complex your treatment is.

At Kenya Orthodontics, we calculate your costs upfront and there are no hidden charges during your treatment. We also make your plan affordable with our various payment options.

Will you guarantee straight teeth?

Yes and no! We will plan to give you the best treatment available, but teeth can move even after your treatment is complete. Your treatment plan will include wearing a removable retainer for at least a year after your braces or aligners are removed. You also have the option to fit a fixed retainer which is discreet and easy to manage and will help keep your teeth aligned.

Is it a painful procedure?

No. If you choose fixed braces, it is as simple as sticking a small bracket onto each tooth, then clipping on a wire to the brackets. It takes about an hour. We have an overhead TV with games and movies to help the time go faster.

Your mouth will feel funny because of the new shapes on your teeth. There may be some discomfort after treatment has started. The braces are designed to gently move your teeth into a perfect smile. This causes a small amount of pressure for a couple of days which some people find uncomfortable. We recommend taking some standard pain killers to relieve any stress.

Will braces damage my teeth?

Braces will not damage your teeth. During treatment, however, there are some dos and don’ts that may result in your teeth being damaged. Read the FAQs in the next section to ensure you get the best possible results.

What do I need to know during treatment?

Taking care of your teeth and brace, or aligner, during treatment is an essential part of getting your smile just right. Here are some essential dos and don’ts during your treatment.

Are there foods I should avoid?

Yes, there are two major things to avoid if you have fixed braces:

Hard foods, such as nuts. Biting into hard foods can damage your brace, causing them to detach from your tooth. While we allow for up to three breakages without charge, your treatment can take longer with each break. Call the clinic for advice if you are in doubt about any particular food.
Sugary drinks and snacks, such as fizzy drinks and chocolate. The sugar and acid in these foods corrode the enamel and cause tooth decay around the brackets so that when they are removed the teeth have permanent marks. For best results, stop drinking fizzy drinks during your treatment!

How do I brush my teeth?

There are special brushes that fit around the brackets and wires which can be purchased at the clinic or at online stores. The nurse will be happy to show you how to brush at your next appointment. You can also use an electric tooth brush. Here’s a fun video about it. The Sonic toothbrushes shown in this video are available at the reception. You can purchase replacement heads also.

How do I stop the braces from rubbing against my gums?

We provide orthodontic wax which sticks onto the brackets. If you are have having problems stop by the clinic and get some. Alternatively, a brace guard can be purchased at the clinic if the wax is not protective enough.

Can I wear a gum shield?

Yes, but you will need to get a specially made gum shield that will fit around your brace. If you need one, make an appointment and we can get one made within 4 business days.

What do I do if my brace breaks?

Sometimes, during the course of your treatment, a bracket can come loose, or a wire can stick out, or an aligner can break. When this happens, it is important for you to get it fixed as soon as possible so that you do not delay your treatment. Contact the clinic and ask for an emergency appointment. These take about 1o minutes and we will try to fit you in on the same day if possible. Most of all, don’t panic: these things happen!

What next after my treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is a big investment of both time and money. Once you have completed treatment you need to take care that you don’t lose what you have. Teeth continually move so here are some essential FAQs about keeping your beautiful smile…

How often should I wear removable retainers?

Removable retainers should be worn as instructed by your orthodontist for at least the first year after treatment. You can remove them for eating or kissing.

You can also choose to purchase a fixed retainer which is a small wire that fits discreetly at the back of your teeth to prevent them from moving. Your orthodontist will be happy to discuss these options and help you find ways to keep your new, beautiful smile.

Do I need to visit the orthodontist again?

We recommend that you still visit your orthodontist for a review every three months after your treatment has ended. There is no extra charge for these 10 minute appointments, and it helps to make sure your teeth are not moving out of place.

What do I do if I break or lose my retainer?

It is essential that you wear your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist. If it breaks or you lose it you should immediately call to make an appointment to have another one made because your teeth may move even within a few days. There is a charge for an additional retainer, but it is cheaper than having to go through another orthodontic treatment later!

HAWLEY RETAINERS

Why do I need Retainers?

Your teeth will want to return to their original position for the first few months after the braces have been removed. Wearing your retainers allows the teeth, gums, and supporting bone to become accustomed to their new position.

How often will I need to have my Retainers checked?

Retention normally lasts for approximately 12 months. During this period, we will ask to see you every 3 to 4 months. At these visits your orthodontist will need to see your retainers (so please bring them with you).

How do I look after my Retainers?

Clean your retainers every day using a toothbrush and cold, soapy water. Remove your retainers when eating and cleaning. Remember to put them safely into their box when they are not in your mouth. Keep your retainers away from pets (especially dogs) as they like to chew them.

Make an appointment to see us if your retainers become too loose or wear through.

If you lose or break your retainers please call reception immediately to arrange an appointment to make a new set. There is usually a charge for the replacement of retainers.

When do I wear my retainers?

Hawley retainers need to be worn for At LEAST the following periods:

Full time (except meal times and cleaning) FOR 3 MONTHS
Night-time only FOR 12 MONTHS
After 12 months your orthodontist will advise you on how often you need to wear them

Will my teeth remain straight forever?

Teeth, in particular the lower ones, tend to crowd up as people grow older. This happens in people who have never worn braces as well as in people who have undergone orthodontic treatment. If you want your teeth to always remain straight then you should consider wearing your retainers for 2 to 3 nights a week indefinitely, or as often as necessary to ensure their fit.

HEADGEAR

You have now been fitted with your headgear. Success in your treatment and your personal safety depends upon your co-operation. Please read the following carefully:

You must wear your headgear every night and as much as possible during the day. Wear it when doing your homework or watching television.
When fitting your headgear, always fit the face bow first. When you have placed the face, bow ends into the tubes of either your removable or fixed appliance, check the catch is correctly located by holding your cheek out with one finger and looking into a mirror. Then check the lock is working properly by lightly pulling forward on the face bow. If you do not have a safety catch on your face bow, please use it as instructed by your orthodontist.
Once you are happy that the face bow is correctly locked in place, attach your safety headgear to the outer hooks on the face bow at the correct hole on the strap.
When removing your safety headgear and face bow, always remove the headgear part first, before unlocking the catches on your face bow.
Do not wear your headgear when playing sports or rough games.

Never allow anyone to grab and pull your face bow or headgear. If they do, take hold of the face bow yourself until they let go. Then check that everything is still fitting correctly.
At night, always ensure that the safety mechanisms are in place to prevent accidental removal of the headgear and face bow. If any part of the appliance becomes detached during sleep or causes you any other problems, stop wearing the headgear and contact your orthodontist.
If in the rare and unlikely circumstance you suspect that part of your headgear or face bow might have caused an injury to an eye, you should treat this as a medical emergency. Attend your local accident and emergency department and ask an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to examine your eye without delay to obtain the best advice.
Bring your headgear and wear chart to each appointment and report any problems to your orthodontist.

PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR HEADGEAR

THE CARE OF YOUR FIXED APPLIANCE (BRACE)

Your fixed brace has now been fitted. Success with your treatment depends upon your co-operation. Please read the following carefully.

Your teeth will become tender about 4-5 hours after your brace has been fitted. You will experience some discomfort for the first few days. You will find that it takes a week or two to get used to it. If you require any pain relief, we advise you to take what you would normally have for a headache. If you find the brace rubs the insides of your cheeks or lips, please use the wax that we provided you with.

It is essential that you:

Clean around your brackets (brace), teeth and gums properly. Use the recommended toothbrushes, toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash. You should brush your teeth after each time you eat – a travel toothbrush is ideal for times when you are out, e.g. lunchtimes. The fluoride mouthwash should be used once a day to protect your teeth, ideally just before bed-time. Your orthodontist will let you know if your tooth brushing needs improvement.

Eat Sensibly

Although your brace is fixed securely to your teeth, it is designed to come off the end of treatment so it is possible for you to break the brackets if you are not careful. Brace breakages result in prolonged treatment times because the teeth do not move ideally, and also add to the inconvenience of having to attend for extra visits.

Be careful with your brace; Avoid chewing anything hard or sticky e.g. nuts, crusty bread, whole apples, chewing gum or pens/pencils as these can break your brace. Habits like nail biting can also break your brace.

Avoid sweets and fizzy drinks or fruit juices. These drinks are very acidic or may contain lots of sugar and are a major cause of damage to teeth. Avoid eating too many snacks. It is best to keep to mealtimes to reduce the number of damaging acid attacks on the teeth. Braces do not damage teeth – poor diet, poor tooth brushing and lack of care do.

If you continually break your brace or your cleaning and diet are causing damage to your teeth, we may remove your brace to prevent further damage to your teeth and cancel further treatment.

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BRACE PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION WHO WILL BOOK YOU IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT IF NECESSARY.

FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCE (BRACE)

You have been fitted with your functional brace. It has been specially made to fit you and you must take great care of it.

Getting used to the brace

This brace at first will feel strange to your mouth and will also feel bulky, ‘like a bit of a mouthful’. It will also feel awkward to close your mouth because you are not used to biting in a forward position. At first you will produce more saliva (water). This is a natural response to a foreign object being placed in your mouth. After a couple of days, the extra saliva will stop being produced as you get used to it. You will also lisp to begin with but this will get better after a couple of weeks. Practise speaking with your brace in by reading out aloud; you will soon feel more confident about talking with your brace in.

It is crucial to wear the brace in the first week as much as possible so you can get used to it.

If your brace rubs try to keep it in as much as possible then make an appointment to see your orthodontist.

After the first week you must:

Wear your brace all the time, even at night. You will be advised if you need to eat with the brace in.
Clean your teeth and your brace after every meal and before bedtime with a toothbrush.
We strongly advise the use of a fluoride mouthwash daily.
Not eat sticky foods or sweets. These will damage your brace and are bad for your teeth.
Remove your brace when playing any contact sports or swimming.
Keep your brace away from pets (especially dogs), as they like to chew them.

Safety tips

Be careful with your brace. It can get broken, which may result in extra charges to replace or repair it. We suggest you have a brace box to keep it in when it is out of your mouth.

PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BRACE

REMOVING YOUR FIXED BRACES

(BRACE)

CONGRATULATIONS! You have nearly completed your orthodontic treatment.

At your next visit, we will remove your braces and give your teeth a thorough clean and polish. Very soon after that, you will be fitted with your removable retainers – everybody who has had fixed braces needs to wear removable retainers afterwards. This is because it takes the teeth, gums, and jaw bone about twelve months to get used to the change in your teeth. You, therefore, need to wear them regularly at night to keep your smile beautiful.

You may also have bonded (fixed) retainers fitted, depending on whether you need them. However, you will still need removable retainers, which will be ready a few days later.

To keep your beautiful smile, you will need to have a long-term relationship with your retainers, so you will need to take good care of them. When we fit them, we will give you a sheet with good advice on how to do that.

Why do I need a retainer?

If you do not wear the retainer, your teeth WILL move back towards their positions before you started treatment.

Should I ever stop wearing my retainer?

Our advice is that even after the first twelve-months you should always make sure you wear your retainer a few nights a week for as long as you can. This is because teeth always move very slightly throughout our lifetime. Retainers are therefore a long-term commitment to ensure that your teeth do not become irregular or spaced. If you ever need them replaced, all you need to do is contact our office and we will be pleased to provide new ones for you.

REMOVABLE APPLIANCE (BRACE)

You have been fitted with your removable brace. It has been specially made to fit you and you must take great care of it.

Getting used to the brace

This brace at first will feel strange to your mouth and will also feel bulky, ‘like a bit of a mouthful’. It will also feel awkward to close your mouth because you are not used to biting in a forward position. At first, you will produce more saliva (water). This is a natural response to a foreign object being placed in your mouth. After a couple of days, the extra saliva will stop being produced as you get used to it. You will also lisp, to begin with, but this will get better after a couple of weeks. Practice speaking with your brace in by reading out aloud; you will soon feel more confident about talking with your brace in.

It is crucial to wear the brace ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT so you can get used to it.

If your brace rubs try to keep it in as much as possible then make an appointment to see your orthodontist.

After the first week you must:

Wear your brace all the time, even at night. You will be advised if you need to eat with the brace in.
Clean your teeth and your brace after every meal and before bedtime with a toothbrush.
We strongly advise the use of a fluoride mouthwash daily.
Not eat sticky foods or sweets. These will damage your brace and are bad for your teeth.
Remove your brace when playing any contact sports or swimming.
Keep your brace away from pets (especially dogs), as they like to chew them.

Safety tips

Be careful with your brace. It can get broken, which may result in extra charges to replace or repair it. We suggest you have a brace box to keep it in when it is out of your mouth.

PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH YOUR BRACE.

ORTHODONTIC EXTRACTIONS

You have been asked to have some teeth removed before we can proceed with your orthodontic treatment.

We will contact your usual dentist today to ask them to extract teeth that need to be removed and explain what treatment you require to achieve the best result for you. We will also send a copy of your x-ray so this does not need to be repeated.

Please note: it is essential that you commit to having the complete orthodontic treatment before you have your teeth removed. Otherwise, the gaps caused by the missing teeth will always remain. They will not close by themselves. The orthodontic treatment is carefully planned to close these gaps and give you a great smile.

You now need to:

Phone or go to your usual dentist’s surgery to book an appointment to have the teeth removed (you sometimes need more than one appointment).
Phone or email us when you have the date(s) for your extractions and we will then book you an appointment to start your orthodontic treatment with us.

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS ARRANGING YOUR ORTHODONTIC EXTRACTIONS OR YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR TREATMENT, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ADVICE

SEPARATORS

What are they?

Separators are small rubber bands that fit between your back teeth.

What do they do?

Whilst in place they will start to open a tiny gap between your back teeth so that we can fit metal bands (rings) around them at your next visit.

Will they hurt?

Separators may make your teeth ache slightly for the first couple of days. If you require pain relief, take what you would usually take for a headache.

How do I look after them?

Separators are in place for one to two weeks. Continue to brush, eat and drink normally.

However, please try to avoid sticky chewy foods e.g. chewing gum and toffees as these may dislodge the separators.

What happens if they come out?

If a separator comes out and your next appointment is more than a couple of days away, please ring us and we will advise you and if necessary, book an appointment to replace it.

EXERCISES TO IMPROVE YOUR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTS

The purpose of the exercise is to prevent clicking of the jaw and to strengthen the muscles that pull your jaw backward.

It will relax the muscles that will pull the jaw forwards or to one side as you open your mouth, and this will take the strain off your joints.

Set aside two five-minute periods every day at a time when you are relaxed and have nothing on your mind. One good time is before you go to bed, another perhaps when you get home from work. Sit upright in a chair, and carry out the following maneuvers:

Close your mouth on your back teeth, resting the tip of your tongue on your palate just behind the upper front teeth.
Run the tip of your tongue backward onto the soft palate as far back as it will go, keeping the teeth in contact.
Force the tongue back to maintain contact with the soft palate, and slowly open your mouth until you feel your tongue just being pulled away from the soft palate. Do not try and open your mouth further. Keep it in this open position for five seconds and then close your mouth. Relax for five seconds.

Repeat this maneuver slowly over the next five minutes in a firm but relaxed fashion.

As you open your mouth, you should feel the tension in the muscles at the back of your jaw and beneath your chin. For the first few times that you do the exercise, you should check in front of a mirror that the lower teeth move vertically downwards-that is, there is no slight movement from side to side as you open your mouth. If the exercise is being carried out correctly, there will be no clicks or noise from the joints. If clicking is there, you must be making some errors in carrying out the exercise.

Do this exercise no more than the recommended amount for the first week. Initially, it may seem to make your pain worse, but this will be a result of unaccustomed exercise. Thereafter, do the exercise as often as you can and it will help to strengthen the ligaments around your joints.

If this exercise is carried out regularly, over a two to three week period, you will retrain your muscles so that your jaw opens and closes smoothly without clicks or jerks, and any pain that you are experiencing will subside.

VACUUM FORMED RETAINERS

Why do I need retainers?

Your teeth will want to return to their original position for the first twelve months after the braces are removed. Wearing your retainers allows the teeth, gums, and supporting bone to settle into their new position.

When do I wear my retainers?

Vacuum formed retainers need to be worn for AT LEAST the following periods:

Full time for 1 week (except meal times and cleaning)
EACH AND EVERY NIGHT for AT LEAST 12 MONTHS
DO NOT cut down wearing them unless your orthodontist asks you to.

How long will I need to keep having orthodontic checks??

Supervised retention normally lasts for 12 months. During this period we will ask to see you every few months to check the retainers (so please bring them with you).

How do I look after my retainers?

Clean your retainers every day using a toothbrush and cold, soapy water. Rinse them after you have scrubbed them clean. Retainers are delicate so take care not to break them. DO NOT put your retainers into hot water as they will distort and stop fitting.

Use your retainer box to protect them when you are away from home or when they are not in your mouth. Keep your retainers away from dogs, as they like to chew them. Retainer boxes are available at reception.

Call reception IMMIDIATELY if you lose or break your retainers to arrange an appointment to make a new set. There is usually a charge for the replacement of retainers. If they start to feel tight it means you have not worn them enough. We would strongly recommend that you wear them FULL TIME FOR ONE WEEK, or until they fit properly again. After this you MUST go back to wearing them EVERY night.

Will my teeth remain straight forever?

Teeth, in particular the lower ones, tend to crowd up as people grow older. This happens in people who have never worn braces as well as in those who have. If you want your teeth to remain straight in the future then you should consider wearing your retainers 2 to 3 nights a week indefinitely, or as often as necessary to ensure their fit.

ELASTICS

What are they for?

Elastics help to correct the way your teeth fit together. This is as important as making your teeth straight.

Should I wear them all the time?

Yes, unless your orthodontist instructs you differently. Wear them all the time except during meals and when cleaning. The more you wear them the quicker your orthodontic treatment will finish.

Will I be able to eat with them?

Yes. However, if you find it too difficult you can remove them for your meal as long as you remember to put them back in straight away.

How often should I change them?

You will need to change them once a day. You will also need to change them if they break. It is useful to carry a packet with you in case this happens.

What happens if I run out or lose them?

Please pop into the practice as soon as possible and we will be happy to provide some more for you. If you live too far away we will be happy to post some more to you.

Remember, the more you wear them the quicker your treatment will finish!

Elastics should be worn as shown by your orthodontist
They are a very important part of your treatment and should be worn as advised. On occasion instructions on how to wear them may vary so please listen carefully to your orthodontist.

IF YOU DO NOT WEAR THE ELASTICS AS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO, YOUR TREATMENT WILL EITHER TAKE LONGER THAN IT SHOULD, OR IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE AN IDEAL RESULT.

END OF RETENTION

Congratulations! You have now completed your orthodontic treatment with us and we hope you are pleased with the result. To keep your beautiful smile you will need to have a long-term relationship with your retainers, so you will still need to take good care of them.

Teeth usually tend to crowd up as people grow older, particularly the lower front ones. This happens in people who have never worn braces as well as those who have. Alternatively, if your teeth were spaced at the start of treatment there may be a slight tendency for these spaces to open, as you get older.

How do I make sure my teeth remain straight?

If you want your teeth to always remain perfectly straight, you should consider wearing them long-term. After the first twelve months of wearing them every night you could try gradually reducing the number of nights you wear them over time, until you are wearing them for 2 to 3 nights a week.

This should only be done after the first 12 months of retention and on instruction from your orthodontist.

How do I tell if my teeth are moving?

It is important that you monitor your teeth closely to make that they are not moving. Signs that the teeth are moving are:

Tight retainers
Teeth look crooked

If you think your teeth are moving, take this as a sign that you need to wear your retainers more often. If the retainers fit well and are not tight, you are wearing them correctly. If you are still worried that your teeth are moving a bonded (fixed) retainer could be fitted onto the back surface of your teeth. Please contact the practice if you would like to discuss this option further.

If you require replacement retainers at any time in the future we will be happy to arrange this for you. If you have lost your retainers or they no longer fit, please contact the practice as soon as possible to avoid any further movement.

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE AND IF WE CAN HELP ANY FURTHER, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

ADVICE FOR THE TRANSFERRING ORTHODONTIC PATIENT

An orthodontist is a dental specialist that has received an additional two to three years of specialized training beyond dental school. Your orthodontist has given you this form because you will be transferring your orthodontic care to a new orthodontist. Here are a few suggestions to make your orthodontic transfer easier for you. Please be advised that you may be charged a records duplication fee for this transfer:

Your current orthodontist may have given you the name of one or more orthodontists in your new area. Your orthodontist may even have contacted the orthodontist to see if they will accept transfer patients. However, this does not constitute a recommendation by your orthodontist, and you are under no obligation to continue treatment with a specific orthodontist. You are welcome to visit one or more orthodontists in your new area before deciding who will continue your treatment.
Because there are many accepted techniques and philosophies, your new orthodontist may change your treatment plan or appliances. Variation in how your teeth and jaws are responding to your orthodontic treatment may require a change in your treatment plan.

Orthodontic treatment fees vary widely throughout the country and the world. It is reasonable to expect that a transfer may increase treatment fees and may involve changes in payment policies. For most people who transfer during their orthodontic treatment, the total treatment cost is likely to increase.
When you transfer to a new orthodontist, your treatment time is often extended by the process of transfer. It is reasonable to expect that your treatment time will vary from the original prediction.
When you have identified your new orthodontist, you should contact your former orthodontist to request that your records be transferred. Your new orthodontist will then contact your former orthodontist for any additional information needed.