Yes, you can start with a virtual orthodontic consultation. At Masri Orthodontics you text or Facebook message three photos of your teeth, and Dr. Masri replies with whether you look like a candidate. An in-office visit then confirms the plan.
A virtual first step suits busy adults, parents juggling school schedules, and anyone who simply wants an answer before taking time off. Here is what a photo review can tell you, what it cannot, and how to get the most out of it.
How Does a Virtual Orthodontic Consultation Work?
Our TeleOrthodontics service is deliberately simple. There is no app to download and no video call to schedule.
Step one: take three selfies
The TeleOrthodontics page shows the three photos we need. A phone camera is all it takes.
Step two: send them by text or Facebook message
Message the photos to us along with what you are most interested in: FastBraces, clear aligners, clear braces, metal braces or lingual braces. If you are not sure yet, say so. That is a perfectly good starting point.
Step three: Dr. Masri replies
Dr. Masri looks at your photos and texts or messages you back to let you know whether orthodontic treatment looks right for you. Questions get answered the same way, in the conversation you already have open, without being put on hold or leaving a voicemail.
What Can an Orthodontist Tell From Photos?
More than most people expect, but not everything.
What photos show well
- Crowding, spacing and rotated teeth
- How the front teeth overlap: overbite, underbite or an open bite
- Whether the midlines of the upper and lower teeth line up
- Visible wear, chips or gaps where a tooth is missing
What photos cannot show
A photo shows the surface. It cannot show the roots of the teeth, the bone around them, teeth that have not come in yet, or how the jaws are growing. Those details come from X-rays and digital imaging taken in the office, and they can change the plan.
Why it is a first step, not a diagnosis
A virtual review answers the question most people start with: is this worth looking into? The treatment plan itself is built from full records at an office visit.
Virtual Consultation vs. In-Office Consultation
| Virtual (TeleOrthodontics) | In-office complimentary consultation | |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Text or Facebook message three selfies | Request a time online or call the office |
| Where you are | Wherever you happen to be | Our Livonia office on Levan Road |
| What is reviewed | Photos of your teeth and bite | Digital images, an orthodontic evaluation and records |
| What you get | A reply from Dr. Masri on whether treatment looks right for you | A customized treatment plan for your lifestyle and budget |
| Time needed | A few minutes with your phone | One office visit |
| Best for | A quick first answer before taking time off | Confirming the plan and getting started |
Who Is a Virtual Consultation Good For?
Adults with full calendars
Fewer physical visits and fewer missed work days are the whole point. If you have wondered about straightening your teeth for years but never found the time, a few photos is an easy place to start.
Parents with a question about a child
If something about your child’s bite looks off, photos can help you decide whether to book an evaluation now. For younger children, an in-person visit is still worthwhile: the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7, and much of what matters at that age, such as teeth that have not erupted, only shows on X-rays. Our page on early orthodontic treatment explains what that visit looks for.
Anyone comparing options
If you are trying to decide between aligners and braces, tell us in your message. Our guide to types of braces is a good primer before you send your photos.
What Should I Include in My Message?
A few lines of context alongside your photos help Dr. Masri give you a more useful answer.
The basics
- The patient’s age, especially for children and teens
- What bothers you most: crowding, a gap, the way your teeth meet, or something else
- Which options you are curious about, if any
Your dental history
Mention it if you had braces before and your teeth have shifted, if you lost or stopped wearing a retainer, or if you have crowns, bridges, implants or missing teeth. Each of these shapes what treatment would involve.
Your timing
If there is a date you are working toward, such as a wedding, a graduation or a move, say so up front. It helps us talk about realistic options from the first reply.
When Is an Office Visit the Better First Step?
Virtual review is a convenient start, but some situations call for seeing us in person.
Pain, swelling or a broken appliance
If something hurts, is swollen, or a bracket or wire has broken, call the office rather than sending photos and waiting for a reply.
Jaw pain, clicking or trouble chewing
Symptoms in the jaw joints need a hands-on exam. Photos of the teeth will not tell us much about what is happening in the joint.
When you simply prefer it
Some people would rather talk face to face from the start, and that is completely fine. The in-office consultation is complimentary either way.
How Do I Take Good Photos for a Virtual Consultation?
Light and angle
Face a window or a bright light so your teeth are evenly lit, and hold the phone level with your mouth. Avoid the flash if it washes out the image.
Bite down naturally
For photos of your bite, close on your back teeth the way you normally would. Do not push your jaw forward or hold your teeth apart, because that hides the very thing we are trying to see.
Pull your lips back
Use clean fingers or ask someone to help so the teeth and gums are visible, then match the three example photos on the TeleOrthodontics page as closely as you can.
What Happens After the Virtual Review?
The complimentary consultation
If treatment looks like a good fit, the next step is a complimentary consultation. Our team takes digital images, evaluates your orthodontic needs and maps out a treatment plan, with no pressure to commit. Our first visit guide covers what to expect.
Talking through cost
The consultation is also the time to go over fees, insurance and payment options. If you have dental insurance, our post on whether insurance covers braces or Invisalign is worth reading first.
Fewer trips during treatment
Once treatment starts, questions between appointments can be handled the same way, by text or message, which keeps unnecessary visits to a minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Orthodontic Consultations
Do I need to download an app?
No. TeleOrthodontics works through ordinary texting or Facebook messaging.
Who reviews my photos?
Dr. Masri looks at your photos and replies to you by text or Facebook message himself.
Can I start treatment without an office visit?
No. Photos tell us whether treatment looks worthwhile, but the plan itself depends on records such as X-rays and digital imaging that are taken in the office.
What if I would rather just come in?
That works too. Call (734) 261-8860 to request a complimentary consultation appointment.
Send Us Your Smile
Dr. Nawaf Masri is a board-certified orthodontist who has cared for patients across Southeast Michigan for more than 26 years. Start from your couch with three selfies, or call (734) 261-8860 if you prefer to talk it through.