Orthodontics FAQs
Your questions, answered.
Questions are a normal part of orthodontic treatment. We’re here to make the answers easy to find.
Explore answers to common questions about braces, clear aligners, early treatment, costs, appointments, and what to expect from Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics.
Don’t see your question? Give our Fort Walton Beach team a call. We’re always happy to help.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7.
That doesn’t mean your child will need braces at 7. An early evaluation allows Dr. Curtis to check how your child’s teeth, bite, and jaws are developing and determine whether treatment could help now or whether it’s better to simply monitor their growth.
At Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics, we take a thoughtful, conservative approach to early orthodontic treatment and recommend treatment only when the timing makes sense.
What orthodontic treatment options do you offer?
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics provides personalized orthodontic care for kids, teens, and adults.
Treatment options include metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign®, Angel Aligner™, early orthodontic treatment, orthodontic appliances, and surgical orthodontics for more complex needs.
Dr. Curtis will evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaw relationships and recommend the treatment option that makes the most sense for your individual smile.
Will my child need an orthodontic appliance?
Possibly, depending on how your child’s teeth, bite, and jaws are developing.
Orthodontic appliances can help create space, guide jaw growth, move teeth, or address specific bite concerns.
Dr. Curtis may recommend a palatal expander, Forsus appliance, Herbst appliance, Nance appliance, reverse-pull headgear, lower lingual arch, banded bite plate, separators/spacers, or Carriere Habit Appliance when appropriate.
Dr. Curtis will only recommend an appliance when it serves a specific purpose in your child’s treatment plan, and she’ll explain what it does and why it may help.
Do I need a referral from my dentist to see an orthodontist?
No. You can schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation with Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics without a referral from your dentist.
Your consultation includes a smile assessment, X-rays, and a digital scan if needed, giving Dr. Curtis the information she needs to evaluate your smile and discuss your options.
How do I know if my child or I need orthodontic treatment?
The best way to know is through an orthodontic evaluation.
Crowding, spacing, protruding teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and difficulty biting or chewing are all reasons you may benefit from seeing an orthodontist.
But not every orthodontic concern requires immediate treatment. Dr. Curtis will evaluate the full picture and explain what she sees before recommending what comes next.
Is orthodontic treatment always necessary?
No. Every smile is different, and treatment should only be recommended when there’s a reason for it.
Dr. Curtis takes a conservative, thoughtful approach to orthodontic care. She’ll carefully evaluate your teeth, bite, and jaw development, explain her findings, and recommend treatment only when she believes it will benefit you or your child.
Sometimes that means starting treatment. Sometimes it means waiting and monitoring growth.
What's the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
Dentists and orthodontists both play important roles in your oral health, but they have different areas of expertise.
After dental school, orthodontists complete additional specialized training focused on diagnosing and treating the alignment of the teeth and jaws. Dr. Curtis is also ABO-Board Certified, a distinction that reflects her commitment to advanced orthodontic knowledge and clinical excellence.
Your dentist will continue caring for the health of your teeth and gums while Dr. Curtis focuses on your orthodontic treatment.
What does it mean that Dr. Curtis is a Board Certified orthodontist?
Dr. Leigh Curtis is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO).
Board Certification goes beyond the requirements needed to practice orthodontics and reflects an ongoing commitment to clinical expertise and high standards of patient care.
For Dr. Curtis, that expertise is reflected in meticulous treatment planning with long-term health, function, and stability in mind.
How much do braces or clear aligners cost?
The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on your individual needs and personalized treatment plan.
At your complimentary consultation, we’ll clearly explain your treatment costs, insurance benefits, and payment options before you get started.
We offer customized payment plans with 0% interest in-house financing or CareCredit, accept HSA/FSA funds, and offer military and other applicable discounts. We also accept insurance and will file your insurance paperwork for you.
Does insurance cover braces or clear aligners?
Orthodontic insurance coverage varies by plan.
Our team will help you understand your benefits and file your insurance paperwork for you. We believe in being transparent about costs from the beginning, so you’ll understand your expected treatment costs and payment options before treatment starts.
How often will I need orthodontic appointments?
Your appointment schedule will depend on your treatment plan and how your smile is progressing.
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics also offers virtual visits when appropriate, giving established patients another convenient way to stay connected with Dr. Curtis when they can’t easily make it into the office.
Virtual care can be especially helpful for college students and military patients away on TDY/TAD.
Can kids, teens, and adults use clear aligners?
Yes. Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics offers Invisalign® and Angel Aligner™ for kids, teens, and adults.
Clear aligners are removable and discreet, but they’re not the right treatment for every orthodontic need. Dr. Curtis will evaluate your smile and recommend the treatment option that will give you the right balance of health, function, and aesthetics.
Am I too old for braces or orthodontic treatment?
No. Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for kids and teens.
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics offers personalized adult orthodontic treatment with metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign®, Angel Aligner™, and other treatment options based on their individual needs and goals.
Dr. Curtis also treats more complex adult bite and jaw concerns when appropriate.
What should I do if I break a bracket or lose an aligner or retainer?
Contact our team and let us know what’s going on.
Most orthodontic problems aren’t true emergencies, but we’ll help you determine what needs attention, what can wait, and what you can do to stay comfortable in the meantime.
You can also visit our orthodontic emergencies page for simple at-home fixes and guidance for common orthodontic problems.
If you’re visiting Fort Walton Beach or the Emerald Coast and aren’t currently a Bayer & Curtis patient, you can contact us for help, too.
What happens after my braces or clear aligner treatment is finished?
You’ll wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new positions and protect the smile you’ve worked for.
And our care doesn’t end when active treatment does. Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics continues monitoring your results, and a retainer check up will follow to ensure your smile is staying healthy and stable.
Why choose Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics?
Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics has cared for Fort Walton Beach families since 1972, beginning with Dr. Peter Bayer and continuing today with his daughter, ABO-Board Certified orthodontist Dr. Leigh Curtis.
As a privately owned practice, we believe orthodontic care should feel personal. Dr. Curtis takes a meticulous, conservative approach to treatment, our experienced team gets to know you by name, and we’ll always be honest about what your smile needs, and what it doesn’t.
Still have questions?
We’re always happy to help.
Schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Curtis at our Fort Walton Beach orthodontic office to get answers specific to your smile and learn what your next step could look like.
How Can We Make You Smile?
We’d love to meet you, hear your story, and help you achieve a smile you’ll love.
Schedule your complimentary consultation with our Fort Walton Beach orthodontic office and let us show you how we can make you smile.