There is meaningful work between those two moments. Understanding where planning and personal attention fit in can help you know what to expect.

Turning your goals into a plan

Your scan records the visible surfaces of your teeth. It helps the orthodontist study their positions and plan an appliance. Other information, including your examination and any indicated X-rays, helps answer questions the surface scan cannot.

For example, two people can both have crowded front teeth but need different approaches. Their bites, tooth roots, and supporting tissues may differ. A treatment preview needs to make sense for the person whose teeth will actually move.

This is a good time to explain your priorities. Perhaps one tooth bothers you in photographs, or your teeth do not meet comfortably. Tell the orthodontist what you hope will change, including concerns that may not be obvious on the screen.

Where does AI fit into aligner planning?

You may hear that orthodontic software uses artificial intelligence to assist with parts of planning. That does not mean a computer should decide your treatment independently. The AAO’s 2026 guidance on clinical AI emphasizes that the orthodontist remains responsible for care decisions.

If AI is mentioned during a consultation, ask what it helps with, who checks its suggestions, and how your examination affects the final plan. A polished simulation does not establish that a proposed movement is right for your mouth. This is a question about how a tool is used, not a reason to assume every practice uses the same software.

Preparing the appliances

Once the treatment plan is ready, the appliance-making process can begin. In a workflow using printed models, the team prepares digital models, prints them, and uses them to form clear trays. Our explanation of how 3D printing helps make aligners walks through that production step.

The team also needs to finish the appliances and check their suitability for delivery. Printing is one part of that work. An impressive print speed alone does not tell you when your case will be ready.

Learning how your treatment will work

At delivery, you should understand how to wear and care for the aligners, when to change them, and when to return for review. Ask whom to contact if an aligner feels wrong or does not fit as expected.

Clear aligners apply planned forces through a sequence of trays. Successful treatment also depends on wearing them as prescribed and having your progress assessed. The AAO’s clear aligner overview explains why professional supervision remains part of the process.

A digital preview shows a proposed outcome. Your follow-up visits help the orthodontist assess the response in your mouth and decide whether the plan needs adjustment.

Considering clear aligners at SmileMaker? Bring your questions to a free initial consultation at our Hendersonville office. We can walk through the steps between your records and your first appliance, including the timing for your plan.

The word describes how certain upper and lower teeth meet. Understanding why that relationship developed helps determine whether treatment should happen now or later.

Crossbites can have different causes

In a crossbite, one or more upper teeth may bite inside the lower teeth. It can involve the front teeth or the teeth farther back in the mouth.

Sometimes the issue mainly involves the position of individual teeth. In other cases, the upper jaw may be narrow relative to the lower jaw. Some children also shift their jaw to find a position where their teeth fit together.

Distinguishing these situations matters because similar-looking bites can call for different treatment plans.

Why timing can matter

A developing bite problem may be easier to address at a particular stage of growth. Early treatment can be appropriate for selected crossbites and other developing problems, but the recommendation should follow an examination. The AAO explains the goals of early orthodontic treatment.

Ask whether the concern is tooth position, jaw width, a shift in how your child closes, or a combination. That answer gives you something more useful than a general statement that the bite needs fixing.

What an expander is meant to accomplish

When a narrow upper jaw is part of the diagnosis, an orthodontist may recommend an expander. Its purpose and design depend on your child’s needs and development. Other crossbites may need a different approach.

If an appliance is recommended, ask the team to show you how it works and explain how they will check progress. Get instructions for cleaning, eating, and what to do if the appliance feels loose or uncomfortable. Follow your child’s own instructions for any adjustments.

Will there be another phase of treatment?

There may be. An early phase can focus on a particular problem while permanent teeth are still coming in. Later treatment may address the alignment and bite more fully.

Before starting, ask what success will look like at the end of the early phase, whether a period of observation will follow, and what later care may involve. Clarify the fees for each phase as well.

If you have noticed a crossbite or a jaw shift, contact SmileMaker Orthodontics. Families can visit our Hendersonville office for an evaluation to understand whether the timing of treatment matters for their child.

That is a reasonable goal to bring to a consultation. A limited goal can still require a careful examination, because the visible part of a tooth tells only part of the story.

Your tooth has a root and supporting tissues

The part you see above the gum is the crown. Below it are the root and the structures that support the tooth. Moving the crown changes its relationship to those structures and to the other teeth in your bite.

Before planning movement, the orthodontist needs to assess the health of your mouth. Previous gum disease, dental injuries, or other dental treatment may be relevant even if the tooth you want to change does not hurt.

Tell the team about anything you have noticed, including gum recession, bleeding, or a change in the way your teeth meet. If your dentist or gum specialist has been monitoring an issue, let the orthodontist know.

Records help define what is reasonable

A surface scan can show the shape and position of the visible teeth. Appropriate X-rays help answer questions about structures below the gums. Different records serve different purposes, and the orthodontist should explain any imaging recommendation.

Your plan may be straightforward. It may also need to account for something that cannot be judged from a photograph. That is why a small cosmetic goal still deserves a clinical assessment. The AAO addresses examinations and imaging in its advice for adults considering orthodontics.

Your bite is part of the discussion

Ask how moving the tooth could affect its contact with the opposing teeth. A treatment preview may look appealing, but you also want the proposed result to make sense when you bite down.

Sometimes a limited treatment plan is appropriate. Sometimes the orthodontist recommends addressing a wider area, treating a dental health concern first, or accepting a smaller change. Ask why, and ask about the tradeoffs of each option.

Keep the conversation focused on your goals

An examination does not mean you have agreed to extensive treatment. It gives you information to decide whether the proposed benefit is worth the work involved.

Bring your specific concern to SmileMaker’s Hendersonville office. At a free initial consultation, you can discuss what a limited approach could accomplish and how we would assess whether it is appropriate for you. Request a visit.

Your preference matters. The best discussion also considers what movements your teeth need and what daily treatment will ask of you.

Start with the treatment goal

Before choosing an appliance, ask what the orthodontist recommends changing. Is the goal to address crowding, improve the bite, make room for a tooth, or prepare for other dental work?

An examination and appropriate records help establish the plan. The choice of appliance follows those findings.

If both braces and aligners are suitable, ask whether they would aim for the same result in your case. If one is recommended over the other, ask which part of your treatment explains that recommendation.

What if I am starting treatment as an adult?

Being an adult does not automatically rule out braces or aligners. The AAO’s updated guidance for adults highlights factors such as existing dental work, missing teeth, and the health of the mouth when planning care.

Tell the orthodontist about crowns, implants, gum treatment, and medications, along with your goals. The decision involves both the movements you need and the condition of the teeth and tissues involved. Our adult orthodontic treatment page is a starting point for exploring care at SmileMaker.

Think about an ordinary day

Clear aligners need consistent wear according to your prescription. Their removability can be convenient, but it also means you are responsible for putting them back in. Braces stay attached to your teeth and come with their own cleaning and eating considerations. The AAO offers an overview of how clear aligners work.

Think about your schedule honestly. Frequent meals, travel, school routines, or a tendency to misplace small items may influence what feels manageable. Bring up sports or musical instruments if they are important to you.

Ask about everything the plan includes

Before deciding, clarify appointments, possible adjustments to the plan, and the overall fee. Ask how additional aligners or other appliances would be handled if they become necessary.

You should also understand the retention plan after active treatment. The choice between braces and aligners does not remove the need to protect the result afterward.

What about the aligner brand?

A brand name can tell you something about an appliance system. It does not tell you how your individual treatment will be planned or followed.

The useful questions are who is responsible for your plan and how the team will respond if treatment needs adjustment. You can also ask whether your aligners will be made in the office or by an outside laboratory, and how that process will affect your care.

Comparing your options in Hendersonville

SmileMaker offers braces and clear aligners (Invisalign, Ulab, Suresmile, etc.). At our Hendersonville office, explain your goals and the practical concerns that matter to you. Explore our clear aligner information or request a free initial consultation to find out which options fit your needs.

An early visit gives an orthodontist a chance to look at how the permanent teeth are coming in and how the bite is developing. It can also give you a clearer answer to a question that is difficult to settle at home: is this something to watch, or something to address?

Why age 7 comes up so often

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup no later than age 7. By then, many children have a mixture of baby and permanent teeth that helps an orthodontist assess their development. An evaluation does not automatically lead to treatment. See the AAO’s guidance on the age-7 visit.

Timing should follow the problem the child has and their stage of development.

What the orthodontist is looking for

The examination considers more than whether the front teeth look straight. The orthodontist looks at how the upper and lower teeth meet, whether teeth have enough room to come in, and whether the jaw shifts as the child closes their mouth.

Your observations are useful, too. Mention difficulty biting food, a thumb-sucking habit, unusually early loss of a baby tooth, or a permanent tooth that seems slow to appear. These details help guide the evaluation.

Sometimes the next step is observation

An orthodontist may recommend watching growth and tooth development before starting treatment. Ask what the team will be monitoring and when your child should return.

If treatment is recommended, ask for a clear explanation of the specific issue and why acting now would help. You should also understand what that treatment will accomplish and what may still need attention later.

Early care can address selected developing problems, but it does not guarantee your child will avoid braces, extractions, or another phase of treatment. Those decisions depend on the child’s development and diagnosis.

A helpful first question

Try asking, “What would you want to accomplish now, and what can safely wait?” The answer should make the recommendation easier to understand.

For families in Hendersonville, a first visit can be a chance to get answers before deciding on treatment. Our Hendersonville orthodontic office is at 711 E Main Street, Suite 110. Contact SmileMaker if your child is approaching age 7 or you have noticed a bite concern.

A surface scan records the visible shapes of your teeth. A cone-beam CT scan, often called CBCT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of structures such as teeth and bone.

Knowing the difference helps you ask the right questions about a recommendation.

What can a 3D dental X-ray show?

The purpose of imaging is to answer a clinical question. One example is locating a tooth that has not come in. Another is understanding the relationship between tooth roots and the surrounding bone when that information is needed for a particular plan.

The useful question is specific: what does the orthodontist need to know, and how could the answer affect your care?

If you have had recent dental imaging elsewhere, tell the team. Sharing suitable existing records may help them determine what additional information is needed.

Why we use Planmeca Ultra Low Dose imaging

At SmileMaker, we use Planmeca Ultra Low Dose 3D imaging to obtain information about teeth, roots and supporting bone while limiting radiation exposure. This protocol reduces exposure compared with the equipment’s standard CBCT settings.

For certain scan settings and areas of coverage, the effective dose can be comparable to or lower than a standard panoramic X-ray. Planmeca’s Ultra Low Dose information explains this capability. The comparison depends on the equipment, scan area and exposure settings; it is not the same for every 3D scan or every panoramic machine.

Do I need a separate 2D X-ray first?

Not automatically. Dr. Burton considers your examination, the information needed for treatment planning and any suitable existing images. When a 3D study is the appropriate choice, it can be selected at the outset without first taking a separate panoramic X-ray simply as a preliminary step.

That approach can avoid unnecessary duplicate imaging. Different views reconstructed from the same CBCT scan do not require new X-ray exposures. Whether any other images are needed depends on the clinical question.

How is the imaging choice made?

The goal is useful diagnostic information with the lowest exposure that adequately answers the question. Dr. Burton weighs the expected benefit, your age and the details of your case when selecting the study and settings.

The ADA’s current dental imaging guidance emphasizes a clinical examination and individual need before imaging. Lower-dose technology supports that decision; it does not make every scan necessary. You can ask what the study will show and how it could affect your care.

How will you use the results?

Ask the orthodontist to show you the finding that matters to your plan. It may help explain a treatment choice that would otherwise seem puzzling, such as why a tooth needs a different path of movement or why another specialist should be involved.

Hear Dr. Burton explain 3D imaging

For a closer look at the ideas behind this approach, explore two of Dr. Burton’s recorded presentations:

• 3D Imaging: Becoming the Standard of Care in Orthodontics — Is Your 2D “Just Ok”?, hosted by Henry Schein Dental, discusses individual anatomy, treatment planning and reviewing 3D findings.
• Differentiate with 3D in a DIY Ortho World, from Viva Learning, covers anatomy-based planning, low-dose imaging and the role of professional evaluation.

These presentations were prepared for dental professionals and include clinical terminology. They offer background on Dr. Burton’s experience; your own imaging and treatment recommendations depend on your examination. Our Education & Innovation page also links to his teaching and published articles.

At a visit to our Hendersonville office, you can ask the SmileMaker team to explain the purpose of any recommended imaging and how the results relate to your options. Contact us to discuss an orthodontic evaluation.

3D printing helps turn that plan into something you can wear. For someone considering clear aligners, understanding the process can make the technology feel a little less mysterious.

The process begins with your mouth

Before anyone makes an aligner, an orthodontist needs to understand your teeth and bite. An examination and appropriate records help establish what treatment should accomplish. A digital scan can capture the surfaces of your teeth, creating a model that the treatment team can view on a computer.

That model is the starting point. Planning still requires decisions about tooth movement, available space, and the way your upper and lower teeth will fit together.

What the printer actually makes

In one established digital workflow, the printer produces models of the teeth at planned stages of treatment. Clear dental plastic is then shaped over those models, trimmed, and finished to make the aligners. Formlabs describes this approach in its current guide to aligners and retainers made on printed models.

This distinction matters when you hear the phrase “3D-printed aligners.” Ask whether the term refers to printing a model or printing the finished appliance itself. In the Formlabs workflow described here, the printed object is the model used to make your tray. The finished aligner is a separate material. A claim about one process should not be assumed to describe every aligner system.

Why this matters to patients

An office that can produce appliances internally has another way to manage the work between planning and delivery. That can be helpful when the treatment team needs to make an appliance or respond to a change in the plan.

Dr. Burton’s experience with this approach was the subject of a 2020 Formlabs profile of SmileMaker. The article described his use of printed orthodontic models for aligners and retainers.

Production time and treatment time are different questions. Making an appliance efficiently does not mean teeth should move faster. Your treatment schedule still needs to reflect how your mouth responds.

What to ask at your consultation

Ask who plans your tooth movements, how the aligners will be made, and how your progress will be checked. If turnaround time matters to you, ask what is realistic for your particular appliance and treatment plan.

You do not need to choose a printer or understand dental software. You deserve to understand how the tools support your care.

Considering clear aligners? At our Hendersonville office, you can discuss how digital planning and appliance production fit your care. Request a free initial consultation with SmileMaker Orthodontics.

National Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children's Dental Health Month? Helping children practice daily brushing and cleaning between teeth builds habits they can carry into adulthood. 

Here are some helpful tips to keep those pearly whites healthy!

1. Tooth decay is common in children. Ask your dentist how often your child needs checkups based on their individual risk and needs.
2. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. For children under three, use a smear about the size of a grain of rice; ages three to six use a pea-sized amount. Supervise brushing and help children spit out toothpaste.
3. Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks!
4. Set a good example. Kids love to follow their parents so lead by example. When your kids see you brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, they are more likely to do the same on a regular basis too.
5. Make brushing a shared routine. Watch your child’s technique, offer encouragement, and help until they can clean thoroughly on their own. 

Brushing your teeth may not seem very fun to kids but with the right attitude and guidance, it can become a pleasure and awesome habit for your kids. 

Meet Abby!

This team profile was originally published in 2021. Ages, pets, travel plans, and roles below reflect that time. The original profile introduced Abby’s work in the lab. For current information about treatment planning and aligner options, see our clear aligner guide.

Here are 5 fun facts about our favorite lab technician!

1. She has two different colored eyes! One is blue and one is brown!
2. She has the sweetest pup named Charleigh and a kitten named Frankie!
3. Dr. Burton was Abby's orthodontist and treated her with braces for a year and a half!
4. Abby is only 19!
5. Abby has traveled to 19 states and her goal is to travel to all 50!

The orthodontic conference is in Hawaii next year, we're hoping we can convince Dr. Burton to take us so Abby can add to her number of states she's visited!

How much do you know about Dr. Burton? Here are ten fun facts on our favorite Orthodontist!

Hendersonville Orthodontist

East Nashville Orthodontist