Question 1

Is it worth straightening slightly crooked teeth if they don't bother me?

Accepted Answer

It is a personal choice: mild crowding that you can clean well and that does not affect your bite often needs no treatment at all. Straightening becomes more useful when overlaps trap food, gums keep bleeding in one spot, teeth are wearing unevenly or the crowding is getting worse. An orthodontic assessment tells you which group you are in, and leaving things as they are is a legitimate answer.

Question 2

Can a 40 or 50 year old still get their teeth straightened?

Accepted Answer

Yes, teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone supporting them are healthy. Adults often need gum treatment or a hygiene visit first, and treatment may be planned around crowns, implants or missing teeth. Creative Arts treats many adult cases with fixed braces or Invisalign, chosen after a clinical assessment and scan.

Question 3

Is a small gap between my front teeth something that needs fixing?

Accepted Answer

A small gap is usually harmless and many people keep it by choice. It is worth checking if the gap is new, is getting wider, or appears with bleeding gums, because that can point to gum disease or a bite problem rather than a cosmetic issue. Options range from leaving it, to bonding, to orthodontic closure with a retainer afterwards.

Question 4

When is an overbite bad enough to need treatment?

Accepted Answer

An overbite usually needs treatment when the lower front teeth bite into the gum behind the upper teeth, the front teeth are wearing down, or the upper teeth stick out enough to be at risk of injury. A mild overbite with no damage often needs nothing. A specialist orthodontist measures the bite and explains whether braces, aligners or simply monitoring makes sense.

Question 5

My lower teeth sit in front of my upper teeth. Can that be corrected?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but it depends on whether the teeth or the jaws are causing it. When the teeth are tilted, braces or aligners with elastics can usually correct a mild underbite. When the lower jaw itself is much larger or further forward, an orthodontist may recommend combined treatment with a maxillofacial surgeon, which is planned case by case.

Question 6

Is it true that teeth always go back once braces come off?

Accepted Answer

Teeth do tend to drift back without retention, which is why a retainer is part of every orthodontic plan, not an optional extra. With a bonded wire, a removable retainer, or both, worn as instructed, most results stay stable. Retention is long-term, and teeth can still shift slowly with age even in people who never had braces.

Question 7

What is the real difference between fixed braces and Invisalign?

Accepted Answer

Fixed braces are brackets bonded to the teeth with a wire that the orthodontist adjusts; Invisalign uses a series of removable clear aligners you change every week or two. Braces work all the time without relying on you. Aligners are less visible and come out for eating and brushing, but only work if worn about 20 to 22 hours a day.

Question 8

Do I get to choose between braces and Invisalign, or does the orthodontist decide?

Accepted Answer

You choose, but only between the options that can actually treat your case. After the examination and scan, the orthodontist explains which tooth movements are needed and whether braces, Invisalign or both are suitable. If one option would give a weaker or slower result for your bite, you will be told why before you decide.

Question 9

Is Invisalign a bad idea if I'm not disciplined about wearing it?

Accepted Answer

It can be. Aligners left out for long periods stop moving teeth, so treatment takes longer and the result may fall short of the plan. If you know you will struggle to wear them about 22 hours a day, fixed braces are often the more reliable choice because they keep working without your help.

Question 10

Are tooth-coloured or hidden braces available instead of metal ones?

Accepted Answer

At Creative Arts the options offered are fixed (metal) braces and Invisalign clear aligners; ceramic and lingual braces are not part of the service. For people who want treatment to be less noticeable, Invisalign is usually the option discussed. The orthodontist can explain what ceramic and lingual braces are and whether any other approach would suit your case.

Question 11

Can just one or two crooked front teeth be straightened without treating everything?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Short, limited treatment can work when the bite is otherwise healthy and the problem is purely the position of a few front teeth. When crowding comes from the bite or lack of space, treating only the front teeth can fail or relapse. The orthodontist will say honestly which situation you are in after looking at your bite and scan.

Question 12

Do adults need healthy teeth pulled to fix crowding?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Space can often be created by gently widening the arch, moving teeth back, or slimming the contacts between teeth slightly (IPR). Extractions are considered when crowding is severe or the teeth stick out a lot and other methods would push them too far. Your plan will explain why extractions are or are not recommended.

Question 13

Should I straighten my teeth or just get veneers?

Accepted Answer

If the teeth are healthy, straightening them is usually the more conservative choice because it keeps your natural enamel. Veneers change the shape and colour of teeth but do not fix the bite, and covering crooked teeth can mean removing more tooth. Some people straighten first and then decide whether they still want cosmetic work.

Question 14

What is the price of braces or Invisalign at Creative Arts?

Accepted Answer

Orthodontic fees are priced in your written, itemised plan after a free first consultation, because the cost depends on the type of appliance, how complex the tooth movements are and how long treatment will take. The plan also lists the retainers, review visits and anything else included, so you can see the full picture before you commit.

Question 15

What should an orthodontic quote list so I can compare clinics fairly?

Accepted Answer

A useful quote states the appliance (braces or which aligner plan), the estimated treatment time, how many review visits are included, whether refinement aligners are covered, and what retainers you get at the end. It should also say who is treating you and whether X-rays or scans are included. Comparing those items matters more than comparing the headline figure.

Question 16

Is the first orthodontic consultation free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the first consultation at Creative Arts is free. The orthodontist examines your teeth and bite, talks through what bothers you and explains the realistic options. Any scans or X-rays needed for planning are discussed and listed at that visit, and you receive a written plan before any treatment begins.

Question 17

Can I send photos of my teeth before booking an orthodontic visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can send clear photos of your smile and bite on WhatsApp to +971 56 677 7537 for a free photo assessment. It gives you a first idea of whether braces or Invisalign might suit you, but a full answer always needs an in-person examination, because bite and gum health cannot be judged reliably from photos.

Question 18

Where is the orthodontist and when can I come in?

Accepted Answer

Creative Arts is at 614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, and the clinic is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 20:00. Orthodontic review visits are usually short, so many patients fit them around work or school. Call +971 4 342 4444 or message on WhatsApp to book.

Question 19

How often would I need to come to Dubai for braces if I live in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?

Accepted Answer

Fixed braces usually need a review every few weeks; Invisalign reviews are often spaced further apart because you change aligners at home. Many patients from other emirates plan treatment in Dubai this way. The orthodontist can give you a visit schedule before you start so you can judge whether it fits your routine.

Question 20

Will a general dentist or an orthodontist be treating me?

Accepted Answer

At Creative Arts, orthodontic treatment is planned and carried out by the two DHA-registered specialist orthodontists, Dr. Muhannad Kazzaz and Dr. Valeriia Kozachenko. Dr. Kazzaz focuses on complex and adult cases and on reviewing previous treatment; Dr. Kozachenko works with fixed braces and clear aligners and has a particular interest in TMJ and jaw function.

Question 21

Where can I check a Dubai orthodontist's licence?

Accepted Answer

Every dentist practising in Dubai is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority, and you can look up a practitioner's name and licence category on the DHA Sheryan register. The register shows whether someone is licensed as a specialist orthodontist or as a general dentist. It is worth checking before starting any long treatment.

Question 22

Can I see what my teeth will look like before I start?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. After an intraoral 3D scan, the orthodontist can show a digital plan of how the teeth are expected to move. It is a planning tool, not a promise: teeth respond biologically, and the plan may be adjusted during treatment if they move differently from the simulation.

Question 23

Why does the orthodontist need X-rays and a scan before recommending anything?

Accepted Answer

Teeth that look simple from the front can hide problems: short roots, impacted or missing teeth, bone loss or a jaw imbalance. X-rays and a 3D scan let the orthodontist see roots, bone and the full bite, so the plan is based on your actual situation. Skipping diagnosis is one of the main reasons mail-order aligners go wrong.

Question 24

What do patients say about Creative Arts?

Accepted Answer

Creative Arts has a 4.8 rating on Google from 238 reviews, which you can read on the clinic's Google Business Profile. Reviews are a useful signal, but for orthodontics also ask who will treat you, how often you will be seen and what happens if teeth relapse. Those answers tell you more about long-term care.

Question 25

How sore are teeth in the first week of braces or aligners?

Accepted Answer

Most people feel a dull ache and tenderness for two to four days after braces are fitted or a new aligner set starts, then it settles. Soft food and over-the-counter pain relief usually help. Brackets can rub the cheeks at first; orthodontic wax protects them. Sharp or worsening pain should be checked.

Question 26

How many months does orthodontic treatment usually take?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive treatment typically takes about 12 to 24 months. Simple alignment of a few teeth can be shorter, while complex bites, extractions or adult cases with gum or restorative work can take longer. Wearing elastics or aligners as instructed and keeping appointments has a real effect on the finish date.

Question 27

Which foods should I avoid with fixed braces?

Accepted Answer

Hard, sticky and chewy foods cause most broken brackets: nuts, hard sweets, toffee, ice, crusty bread bitten with the front teeth and whole apples or corn on the cob. Cut food into small pieces and chew with the back teeth. Sugary drinks sipped through the day raise the risk of white marks around the brackets.

Question 28

Do I need time off work when braces are fitted?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Fitting braces or starting Invisalign is done in a normal appointment, and most people go back to work the same day. Teeth may feel tender for a few days, so plan softer meals. If you speak a lot for work, you may want to start aligners before a quieter week.

Question 29

Why do I still need a retainer once my teeth are straight?

Accepted Answer

Gums and bone take months to adapt to the new tooth positions, and teeth keep a tendency to drift throughout life. A retainer holds them where treatment placed them. Options are a thin wire bonded behind the teeth, a removable clear retainer, or both, and the orthodontist explains how long and how often to wear yours.

Question 30

My teeth have moved again years after braces. Can it be fixed without starting over?

Accepted Answer

Often a smaller course of treatment is enough when the movement is mild, such as slight crowding of the lower front teeth. The orthodontist checks why the teeth moved, for example a lost retainer or gum changes, before suggesting aligners, braces or a new retainer. Larger relapse may need fuller treatment, which you will be told before you start.

Question 31

What can go wrong during orthodontic treatment, and how is it handled?

Accepted Answer

The common problems are white marks or decay from poor cleaning, gum inflammation, broken brackets, lost aligners and slower progress than planned. Less often there is root shortening or gum recession. Regular reviews are there to catch these early; the orthodontist may adjust the plan, pause treatment or send you for hygiene care.

Question 32

What counts as an orthodontic emergency, and what can wait?

Accepted Answer

A loose bracket, a lost aligner or a wire that pokes can usually wait for an appointment in opening hours; wax covers a sharp wire. Contact the clinic sooner if a wire is cutting the cheek, an appliance is badly broken, or you had a blow to the face. Facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing needs a hospital emergency department.

Question 33

Can I start braces or Invisalign while pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Orthodontic treatment can often continue or start during pregnancy, but routine X-rays are usually postponed unless they are essential, which can delay planning. Pregnancy hormones also make gums more prone to bleeding, so cleaning around appliances matters even more. Tell the orthodontist if you are pregnant or planning to be, and the timing can be discussed.

Question 34

Can I keep my braces or aligners comfortable while fasting in Ramadan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With aligners, many people eat at suhoor and iftar, then clean their teeth and put the aligners back in, keeping wear time high because they are not eating during the day. With braces, soft meals at iftar and careful brushing before sleep help. Ask the orthodontist whether review visits need to shift during the month.

Question 35

I'm very anxious at the dentist. Is orthodontic treatment harder for me?

Accepted Answer

Orthodontic visits are mostly short and involve no injections or drilling, which many anxious patients find easier than they expect. Fitting braces or attachments is done without anaesthetic in most cases. Tell the team about your anxiety at the start so each step is explained before it happens and you can take breaks.

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