Last reviewed: April 2026 · Based on current clinical protocols at DenCos, Hoofddorp
An orthodontic treatment journey is the complete clinical process of diagnosing, correcting, and stabilising the position of teeth and jaws. At DenCos in Hoofddorp, every orthodontic treatment follows a structured 6-phase protocol supervised by Dr. Jing Guo — a registered specialist orthodontist and Invisalign Diamond Apex Status ranked in the top 1% of providers in Europe. Treatment duration typically ranges from 6 months to 2.5 years depending on case complexity.
This article describes each phase of the orthodontic treatment journey, explains what to expect at every stage, and covers insurance, costs, and interdisciplinary care for complex cases.
What is an orthodontic treatment journey?
An orthodontic treatment journey is the full process from initial diagnosis to long-term retention, during which your teeth and/or jaws are brought into the correct position using Invisalign, fixed braces, or a combination of both. According to the Nederlandse Vereniging van Orthodontisten (NVvO), orthodontic treatment should be performed or supervised by a registered specialist orthodontist for optimal safety and outcomes.
At DenCos, every treatment plan is developed and supervised by Dr. Jing Guo, who is registered in the Dutch specialist register (BIG 19918762902) and has treated over 3,000 orthodontic cases.
Phase 0: Consultation and goals
Every orthodontic treatment begins with a conversation. During this initial meeting, Dr. Guo discusses your concerns, reviews your dental and medical history, and identifies the functional and aesthetic goals that matter most to you or your child. This is also the moment to ask questions about treatment options, expected timelines, and what orthodontic care involves day-to-day.
Phase 0 is about understanding — not yet about clinical records or a treatment plan. It ensures that the diagnostic phase that follows is focused on what matters to you.
Phase 1: What happens during the diagnostic appointment?
The diagnostic appointment is a comprehensive clinical session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Dr. Guo assesses your teeth, jaw relationship, and facial profile using three types of records:
- Digital photographs — Intraoral and extraoral images to document the starting position
- X-rays — Panoramic and cephalometric radiographs to assess root health, bone structure, and jaw relationship
- 3D intraoral scan — A digital impression that replaces traditional moulds, providing millimetre-accurate data for treatment planning
Based on these diagnostics, Dr. Guo creates a personalised treatment plan including:
- The diagnosis and specific treatment goals
- The recommended treatment method (Invisalign, fixed braces, or a combination)
- An estimated treatment timeline
- A detailed cost overview with insurance coverage information
No treatment begins without your informed consent and full understanding of the plan.
Phase 2: How is the treatment plan designed?
Digital treatment planning allows you to see the expected outcome before treatment starts. For Invisalign cases, Dr. Guo uses ClinCheck — Align Technology's 3D simulation software — to map every tooth movement from start to finish. You can view an animation of your projected result during the planning appointment.
For fixed braces, Dr. Guo uses digital bracket positioning software to plan precise placement based on the 3D scan data. This ensures each bracket is positioned for optimal force delivery and treatment efficiency.
Digital planning provides three key benefits:
- Predictability — You see the projected result before committing
- Efficiency — Digitally optimised tooth movements reduce treatment time
- Transparency — The plan, timeline, and costs are clearly communicated upfront
Phase 3: What happens during active treatment?
Active treatment is the phase in which teeth are actively moved into their target positions. Duration and visit frequency depend on the treatment method:
| Treatment method | Visit frequency | Aligner/wire changes | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invisalign | Every 6–8 weeks | Patient changes aligners every 1–2 weeks | 12–18 months |
| Fixed braces | Every 4–6 weeks | Wire adjusted by orthodontist at each visit | 18–24 months |
| Simple corrections | Every 6–8 weeks | Varies | 6–9 months |
During active treatment, you visit DenCos in Hoofddorp for regular monitoring appointments. Dr. Guo tracks progress against the digital plan and makes adjustments as needed. Invisalign patients wear their aligners for 20–22 hours per day and switch to a new set every 1–2 weeks at home.
Phase 4: How does DenCos handle complex interdisciplinary cases?
Some orthodontic treatments require dental or periodontal preparation before tooth movement can begin safely. At DenCos, this is handled internally — without external referrals or coordination delays.
Common interdisciplinary scenarios include:
- Periodontal preparation — Patients with gum disease require periodontal treatment before orthodontic forces can be safely applied. At DenCos, periodontist-implantologist Dr. Gang Wu (BIG 29918905102) performs scaling, root planing, or surgical treatment as needed.
- PAOO (Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics) — A technique that combines minor bone surgery with orthodontic treatment to accelerate tooth movement in adult patients. Published research in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics demonstrates that PAOO can reduce treatment time by 30–50%.
- Implant planning — When tooth replacement is needed alongside orthodontic space management, Dr. Guo and Dr. Wu coordinate implant positioning with tooth movement for optimal results.
DenCos houses both specialist orthodontist Dr. Jing Guo and periodontist-implantologist Dr. Gang Wu under one roof. This interdisciplinary model eliminates treatment delays and ensures clinical decisions are made collaboratively.
Phase 5: Why is the retention phase important?
The retention phase is the final and ongoing stage of orthodontic treatment. After active tooth movement is complete, you wear a retainer to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Research published in the European Journal of Orthodontics shows that without retention, teeth begin to relapse within months of treatment completion.
Two retention options are available at DenCos:
| Retainer type | Description | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed retainer | Thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth | Permanent; checked at annual visits |
| Removable retainer | Custom-made clear plate worn at night | Worn nightly; replaced as needed |
At DenCos, retention is planned as an integral part of the treatment from the outset — not as an afterthought. Dr. Guo monitors retention outcomes at scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure long-term stability.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
Orthodontic treatment costs at DenCos vary by complexity:
- Simple corrections: from approximately €1,600
- Standard Invisalign or braces: €2,000–€4,500
- Complex interdisciplinary cases: up to €5,500+
Orthodontic treatment is rarely covered by basic health insurance. For patients under 18, supplementary dental insurance (aanvullende verzekering) is almost always required. Most insurers reimburse €1,000 to €2,500 per child, after a waiting period of approximately 12 months. Adults should review their supplementary insurance policy for orthodontic coverage.
Book a consultation
Ready to start your orthodontic treatment journey? Register as a new patient at DenCos or call 023-792 0463 to schedule your first appointment. No referral is required. Appointments are available until 18:30 on Tuesday to Thursday — convenient if you work or go to school during the day. DenCos is located in Hoofddorp, Haarlemmermeer, and serves patients from Haarlem, Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Aalsmeer, Heemstede, Bloemendaal, Leiden, Noordwijk, Velsen, Lisse, Uithoorn, Zaanstad, and the wider region.