The generic advice you will see on most orthodontic websites is that children should have their first orthodontic assessment at 7–8 years of age. While this is an excellent guideline for many children, at Lusk Orthodontics we believe that every child deserves individualised advice rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

The answer depends on how we define the role of orthodontics.

If orthodontics is viewed simply as a way to straighten teeth, then early treatment is rarely necessary. Most bite and alignment problems can be corrected successfully with a single phase of treatment once the majority of the permanent teeth have erupted, usually around 11–12 years of age.

However, if we consider the child as a whole, not just their teeth, but also their facial growth, jaw development, function, and, where appropriate, their airway, then the ideal timing may be very different.

Some children benefit from assessment and, in carefully selected cases, treatment as early as 5–6 years of age. Early intervention may be appropriate for children with:

• Crossbites or significant jaw discrepancies
• Narrow upper jaws requiring palatal expansion
• Severe crowding affecting the eruption of permanent teeth
• Prominent front teeth at increased risk of trauma
• Functional bite shifts
• Certain developing Class III bite problems

In addition, some children who experience mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep-disordered breathing may benefit from orthodontic assessment as part of a multidisciplinary approach. In selected patients, orthodontic treatment, particularly maxillary expansion, may play an important adjunctive role alongside care provided by an ENT surgeon, sleep physician, paediatrician, and myofunctional therapist. Orthodontics is not a treatment for airway disorders in isolation, but in the right patient it can form an important component of comprehensive management.

At Lusk Orthodontics, we do not believe every child should be treated early. Equally, we do not believe every child should wait until all of their permanent teeth have erupted.

Our philosophy is simple: treat the right child, at the right time, for the right reasons. Sometimes that means early intervention. Often it means careful monitoring until the ideal stage of development. The most important decision is not whether to treat early, it is knowing who will genuinely benefit. Click here to watch our specialist orthodontist Dr Erfan Salloum discussing this very topic. 

This is one of the most common questions we are asked, and it is also one of the most misunderstood.

The short answer is orthodontics does not treat breathing problems.

If you are seeking orthodontic treatment solely to improve your breathing or treat sleep apnoea, it is important to proceed with caution. Be wary of anyone who promises that braces, aligners, or palatal expansion will cure breathing problems. The scientific evidence simply does not support such claims.

Breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea, are medical conditions. Their diagnosis should be made by the appropriate medical professionals, usually an ENT surgeon, sleep physician, or respiratory specialist. Investigations such as nasal examination, endoscopy, and sleep studies remain the gold standard for diagnosing these conditions.

Orthodontists cannot diagnose breathing disorders or sleep-disordered breathing. However, because we routinely assess facial growth, jaw development, oral function, and the upper airway as part of an orthodontic examination, we are often well placed to screen for signs and symptoms that may warrant further investigation. If concerns are identified, we can make appropriate referrals to an ENT surgeon, sleep physician, paediatrician, or other relevant healthcare professional for further assessment and diagnosis.

So where does orthodontics fit in?

Orthodontists do not diagnose or treat airway disorders. Instead, we treat orthodontic and dentofacial problems that, in carefully selected patients, may have a beneficial effect on the airway and breathing as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan.

For example, an orthodontist may manage:

• A narrow upper jaw requiring palatal expansion.
• Jaw discrepancies that affect facial growth and function.
• A retrusive lower jaw in a growing child using growth modification appliances.
• Dentofacial deformities in adults requiring orthodontics combined with orthognathic (jaw) surgery.

These treatments are carried out because they address genuine orthodontic problems. In some patients, they may also increase the dimensions of parts of the upper airway, reduce nasal resistance, or improve the position of the jaws and tongue. As a result, some patients report improvements in nasal breathing, snoring, or sleep quality. However, these outcomes cannot be guaranteed and vary considerably between individuals. Orthodontic treatment should therefore never be undertaken with the expectation that it will cure a breathing disorder.

This is why orthodontics should always be viewed as one part of a multidisciplinary team. The best care often involves collaboration between the orthodontist, ENT surgeon, sleep physician, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, myofunctional therapist, paediatrician, and the patient’s general medical practitioner.

At Lusk Orthodontics, we never promise to cure breathing problems. Instead, we carefully assess whether there are orthodontic or jaw-related problems that may be contributing to the overall picture. Where appropriate, we work closely with your medical team to provide treatment that supports healthy facial development, function, and long-term stability.

Our philosophy is simple: treat the patient, not just the teeth, and always work collaboratively when airway concerns are present.

A Specialist Orthodontist is a dentist who has completed an additional three years of full-time university and hospital-based specialist training dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems affecting the teeth, jaws, bite, and facial growth.

After qualifying as a dentist, a specialist orthodontist undertakes intensive postgraduate specialist training before being entered onto the Specialist Register in Orthodontics maintained by the Irish Dental Council. Only dentists on this register may describe themselves as specialist orthodontists in Ireland.

Why choose Lusk Orthodontics?

At Lusk Orthodontics, we are proud to be an independent, family-owned specialist practice. Unlike larger corporate organisations, every patient receives personalised care from the same experienced team throughout their treatment.

Your orthodontic care is diagnosed, planned and delivered by Dr Erfan Salloum, Specialist Orthodontist, Founder and Clinical Director, supported by a highly trained and experienced clinical team committed to providing exceptional patient care.

Beyond completing specialist orthodontic training and registration with the Irish Dental Council, Dr Salloum has continued to pursue advanced postgraduate education, international certification and board examinations throughout his career. His commitment to lifelong learning enables him to provide highly specialised treatments that are not routinely available in every orthodontic practice.

His particular areas of expertise include:

• Customised lingual (hidden) orthodontics
• Skeletal palatal expansion (MARPE, BARME, BASME, DOME, MSE and surgically assisted expansion)
• Orthodontics combined with orthognathic (jaw) surgery
• Early orthodontic treatment in children
• Airway-focused orthodontic treatment planning as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Management of complex interdisciplinary orthodontic cases

Dr Salloum regularly collaborates with oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ENT surgeons, restorative dentists, paediatric dentists, sleep physicians and myofunctional therapists when treating complex patients referred from across Ireland and, on occasion, internationally.

A commitment to excellence

Dr Salloum has undertaken postgraduate education and professional examinations well beyond the requirements for specialist registration.

His professional achievements include:

• Diplomate of the European Board of Orthodontics (EBO) – one of only three orthodontists practising in Ireland to have successfully completed this prestigious board examination.
• Diplomate of the European Board of Aligner Orthodontics (EBAO) – currently the only orthodontist practising in Ireland to hold this qualification.
• Titular Member of the European Society of Lingual Orthodontics (ESLO) following successful assessment of complex clinical cases.
• Active Member of the World Society of Lingual Orthodontics (WSLO) – currently the only orthodontist practising in Ireland to hold this distinction.
• Member, Fellow and Diplomate qualifications from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Ireland, England and Scotland (MOrth, FFD and FDS).

For our patients, these qualifications provide reassurance that their treatment is being planned and delivered by an orthodontist who has undergone independent assessment against some of the highest standards in Europe. They reflect a commitment to clinical excellence, lifelong learning and evidence-based care—not simply the ability to straighten teeth.

More than straight teeth

At Lusk Orthodontics, we believe orthodontics is about much more than creating a beautiful smile.

Every patient receives a comprehensive assessment of their teeth, bite, facial proportions, jaw relationships and oral function. Where appropriate, we also screen for signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing and other functional concerns. While orthodontists do not diagnose medical airway disorders, recognising potential problems early and referring patients to the appropriate medical specialists is an important part of comprehensive orthodontic care.

Rather than simply aligning teeth, our goal is to understand why a malocclusion has developed and to provide treatment tailored to each patient’s individual needs. This philosophy aims to deliver stable, functional and aesthetic long-term results.

Our philosophy

We treat people—not just teeth.

We believe in a transparent and honest fee structure that reflects the time, expertise and attention to detail that every patient receives.

Orthodontic treatment can be delivered in many different ways, and fees can vary considerably between providers. While cost is understandably an important factor, we encourage patients to consider the overall value of their treatment rather than simply comparing prices.

Successful orthodontics begins with an accurate diagnosis and a carefully considered treatment plan. Investing time at the beginning to understand the underlying cause of a problem often leads to better, more stable results and can help avoid unnecessary compromises or additional treatment in the future.

Orthodontic treatment is an investment that should last a lifetime. When viewed over many decades of enjoying a healthy bite, a confident smile and stable results, choosing the right orthodontist often represents the greatest value.

Click here to watch our specialist orthodontist Dr Erfan Salloum discussing this very topic.

Consultation fees

For children, we offer a complimentary initial assessment when parents are unsure whether orthodontic treatment is needed. During this visit, we will advise whether treatment should begin, whether monitoring is appropriate, or whether no orthodontic treatment is currently required.

For adults considering orthodontic treatment, we do not offer free consultations because we believe a proper orthodontic assessment should provide genuine value.

Rather than a brief screening appointment, every consultation focuses on reaching an accurate diagnosis and developing a personalised treatment plan. This may include:

• A comprehensive clinical examination.
• Digital photographs and intraoral scans.
• Orthodontic X-rays where indicated.
• Time to discuss all suitable treatment options, including the option of no treatment.
• A detailed explanation of the benefits, limitations, risks and expected outcomes of each approach.

Our consultation fees are:

• From €200 for routine orthodontic consultations.
• €300 for complex consultations involving skeletal expansion, orthognathic (jaw) surgery or multidisciplinary airway-focused treatment planning.

If you proceed with treatment, €200 of your consultation fee will be deducted from your overall treatment fee.

Where a low-dose CBCT (3D scan) is required to make an accurate diagnosis, an additional €150 applies. This includes acquisition, interpretation and reporting of the scan.

Treatment fees

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on several factors, including:

• The complexity of the case.
• The anticipated treatment duration.
• The type of appliance selected.
• Whether treatment involves one or both arches.
• Whether additional procedures such as skeletal expansion or jaw surgery are required.

As a guide, treatment for a moderately complex teenage case using conventional fixed braces is typically around €5,000.

Simpler cases may cost less, while more complex treatments involving customised lingual braces, clear aligners, skeletal expansion or multidisciplinary care may cost more. Following your consultation, you will receive a personalised written treatment plan with a clear breakdown of all fees before any treatment begins, ensuring complete transparency.

Click here for more detailed guide.

Exceptional value through exceptional care

Our goal is to provide exceptional value, not simply orthodontic treatment.

Every patient benefits from comprehensive diagnosis, meticulous treatment planning and evidence-based care delivered by a specialist orthodontist with extensive postgraduate training and international board certification. We believe that taking the time to diagnose problems correctly and tailoring treatment to each individual leads to healthier, more stable and more aesthetic results.

For us, orthodontics is not simply about straightening teeth—it is about delivering the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time, with results designed to last a lifetime.