Orthodontic examination

An orthodontic examination is the first clinical step when you are concerned about tooth alignment, spacing, bite or jaw development, or when you want to understand whether orthodontic treatment may be appropriate. Children, teenagers and adults can all benefit from an assessment. Through ZagrebMed, you can send an inquiry, share existing dental records and organize the appropriate orthodontic appointment in Zagreb.

Key facts

• Service: specialist assessment of tooth position, bite and jaw relationships.
• Suitable for: children, adolescents and adults.
• First visit: often focused on examination, discussion and deciding whether further diagnostics are needed.
• Cost: some orthodontic providers offer the first examination free of charge; the current offer depends on the selected provider.
• Diagnostics: photographs, digital scans or radiographs may be recommended according to the individual case.
• Treatment decision: attending an examination does not commit you to starting orthodontic treatment.
• Follow-up: active orthodontic treatment usually requires repeated clinical controls and retention after treatment.

What is assessed during an orthodontic examination?

The orthodontist first discusses why you are seeking an assessment, what you have noticed and what you would like to improve. This may involve appearance, function, difficulty biting, previous orthodontic treatment, movement of previously aligned teeth, a retainer that no longer fits or questions about a child's developing teeth and jaws.

The clinical examination usually includes assessment of tooth alignment, available space, how the upper and lower teeth meet, the relationship between the jaws and the condition of the teeth and gums. In children, the orthodontist also considers the eruption of permanent teeth, the stage of dental development and whether growth should simply be monitored or whether earlier intervention may be worth considering.

Common reasons for an orthodontic examination include crowded and misaligned teeth, gaps between teeth, protruding front teeth and increased overjet and high-positioned canine teeth. Bite concerns may include an open bite, deep bite, underbite or crossbite.

Is the first orthodontic examination free?

Initial orthodontic examinations are often offered free of charge by some orthodontic practices, particularly as an opportunity for the patient to understand whether treatment may be needed and what the possible next steps are. This is not a universal rule and the scope of a free first examination can differ between providers.

A free clinical assessment should not automatically be understood to include every diagnostic procedure. Digital scanning, professional photographs, radiographic imaging, detailed digital treatment planning or a written treatment plan may form part of a later diagnostic stage or a separate service. When you send an inquiry through ZagrebMed, you can check the current conditions for the selected provider before booking.

First examination versus full orthodontic diagnostics

The first clinical examination, a complete diagnostic work-up and a final treatment plan are related but separate steps. The examination is primarily used to identify the orthodontic problem and decide whether further investigation is needed.

When additional diagnostics are appropriate, they may include photographs of the face and teeth, a digital intraoral scan and selected radiographs. Existing images and reports may also be useful, especially if they were taken recently and are relevant to the current problem.

Radiographs should be selected according to the clinical question rather than performed automatically for every patient. Cone-beam computed tomography, or CBCT, is not considered a routine replacement for conventional orthodontic imaging. It may be justified in selected situations where three-dimensional information could materially affect diagnosis or treatment planning.

You therefore do not need to obtain new X-rays or a CBCT scan before your appointment unless this has been specifically requested. If you already have an orthopantomogram, other dental imaging, photographs or previous orthodontic records, you can send them through ZagrebMed or bring them to your appointment.

What can happen after the examination?

Not every orthodontic examination leads directly to treatment. In a growing child, the most appropriate decision may be to monitor eruption, space or jaw development and reassess later. Another patient may first need treatment for dental decay, gum inflammation or another oral health issue.

If orthodontic treatment is indicated, the orthodontist evaluates which approach is suitable for the specific tooth movements and bite correction required. Age alone does not determine the treatment method. The condition of the teeth and gums, type of malocclusion, growth where relevant, treatment goals, oral hygiene and the patient's ability to follow treatment instructions all matter.

When fixed braces may be considered

If active orthodontic treatment is recommended, fixed braces may be one of the treatment options. Fixed appliances remain attached to the teeth during active treatment and allow the orthodontist to control tooth movement without relying on the patient to insert and remove the appliance each day.

The ZagrebMed fixed braces section includes several treatment options that differ mainly in bracket material, appearance and ligation mechanism:

• Traditional metal braces: conventional metal brackets used with orthodontic archwires and ligatures.
• Traditional aesthetic braces: fixed brackets designed to be less visually prominent than conventional metal brackets.
• Self-ligating metal braces: metal brackets with an integrated mechanism that holds the orthodontic wire.
• Self-ligating aesthetic braces: aesthetic fixed brackets combined with a self-ligating mechanism.
• Damon Ultima braces: a specific self-ligating fixed orthodontic system available as a separate treatment option.

The presence of several fixed-brace systems does not mean that one is automatically superior for every patient. The orthodontist selects the appliance according to the diagnosis, required tooth movements, bite, treatment mechanics, oral health and individual treatment goals.

Fixed braces or clear aligners?

The orthodontic examination can also help determine whether fixed braces or removable clear aligners are more appropriate. Fixed braces remain attached throughout treatment, while clear aligners can be removed for eating and oral hygiene and rely more heavily on consistent patient wear.

Both approaches can be effective for appropriately selected cases. The decision should be based on the orthodontic problem and planned tooth movements rather than appearance or age alone. More complex cases may require treatment mechanics that differ substantially from those used for simpler alignment.

Oral health before orthodontic treatment

Active orthodontic treatment is easier to manage when teeth and gums are healthy. Plaque can accumulate around brackets and wires during fixed-brace treatment, so good brushing, interdental cleaning and regular dental care become particularly important. If active decay, significant gum inflammation or periodontal disease is present, these problems may need to be treated before active orthodontic tooth movement begins.

What information is useful before the appointment?

When sending an inquiry, include the patient's age and the main reason for seeking an orthodontic opinion. Mention any previous braces or aligner treatment and whether a retainer is currently being used. Existing dental reports, photographs or radiographs can be useful if they are already available, but there is usually no reason to arrange new imaging before the orthodontist decides what is needed.

Planning orthodontic treatment if you live outside Croatia

For international patients, the first examination is particularly useful for clarifying whether treatment is appropriate and what the longer patient journey may involve. If you are considering orthodontic treatment in Zagreb, let ZagrebMed know how often you could realistically return for clinical controls.

Orthodontic treatment should not be planned on the assumption that everything can be completed during one visit. Depending on the individual case, additional diagnostics, appliance placement, adjustments, monitoring and retention may require several in-person appointments. Some communication and review can take place remotely, but this does not replace clinical examinations when they are medically necessary.

What happens after orthodontic treatment?

Once active tooth movement has been completed, retention is generally required to help maintain the achieved tooth positions. Retainers may be fixed, removable or combined depending on the treatment plan. Long-term stability cannot be guaranteed, which is why following the orthodontist's retention instructions and attending recommended checks remain important.

Organize an orthodontic examination through ZagrebMed

If you are unsure whether you need orthodontic treatment or which treatment option may be appropriate, the examination is the logical starting point. Send ZagrebMed your age, main concern, information about previous orthodontic treatment and any existing records. We can help you identify the appropriate next step and send an inquiry for an orthodontic examination in Zagreb.