Moving to a new city is complicated enough without wondering what will happen to your braces or clear aligners.
The good news is that, in most cases, orthodontic treatment can be transferred to another orthodontist if you move during treatment. Your new orthodontist will review your progress, records, and appliance before confirming how they will continue your care, how much treatment remains, and the fee for completing it.
If you are moving to Auckland with braces, aligners, or another orthodontic appliance, it is worth starting the transfer before you relocate where possible.
Can You Transfer Orthodontic Treatment to Another Clinic?
Yes. Changing orthodontists during treatment is possible, whether you are moving within New Zealand or relocating from overseas.
A transfer is more involved than simply booking your next adjustment at a different practice. Orthodontists may use different appliances and treatment approaches, so the new orthodontist needs to assess your current position and take responsibility for the treatment they provide from that point onwards.
A Full Transfer Versus Temporary Orthodontic Help
Not every appointment with another orthodontist means transferring your whole treatment.
If you are travelling and develop a loose bracket, poking wire, or another appliance problem, you may only need temporary help before returning to your usual orthodontist.
A full transfer is different. The new orthodontist assumes responsibility for managing the remainder of your active treatment, including treatment decisions, ongoing appointments, and completion of your orthodontic care.
Moving to Auckland During Orthodontic Treatment: What Should You Do First?
If you already know you are moving, contact your existing orthodontist before your final appointment where possible. This gives the practice time to prepare records and provide information about the treatment completed so far.
It can also help to contact Shakespeare Orthodontics before your move. When getting in touch, useful information includes your current orthodontist’s details, the type of braces or aligner system you have, approximately when treatment started, the date of your last appointment, your moving date, and whether you have any current appliance problems.
Shakespeare Orthodontics currently has four Auckland clinic locations in Takapuna, Epsom, Warkworth, and Howick, so you can discuss which location will be most practical for your ongoing appointments.
What Should You Arrange With Your Current Orthodontist?
Ask for Your Orthodontic Records
Your records give the new orthodontist important context about where treatment started and what has happened since.
Depending on your case, relevant information may include your original diagnosis and treatment goals, progress notes, photographs, scans or study models, X-rays, details of the appliance or bracket system, aligner information, and instructions relating to elastics or other appliances.
You do not need to decide for yourself exactly which records are necessary. Your current clinic and the receiving orthodontic team can advise what should be transferred.
Clarify Your Account and Payment Position
A clinical transfer does not automatically transfer your financial agreement.
Before leaving your current practice, ask what you have already paid for, whether there is an outstanding balance, and whether any adjustment, refund, or credit applies under your existing agreement.
The orthodontist taking over your care will assess the treatment that remains and establish their own fee for that work.
What Happens at the New Orthodontic Clinic?
The first transfer appointment allows the new orthodontist to understand both where your treatment began and where it stands now.
They may assess your current tooth and bite positions, progress towards the original goals, oral health, the condition of your appliance, and how much treatment appears to remain. Existing records will also be reviewed, and updated photographs, scans, or X-rays may be recommended if more current information is needed.
The receiving orthodontist may be able to continue broadly with the existing plan. In some cases, however, they may recommend adjusting the treatment mechanics, changing appliance components, or modifying the remaining treatment plan.
This does not necessarily mean starting treatment again. It reflects the new orthodontist’s responsibility for making their own clinical decisions once they take over your care.
Is Transferring Braces Different From Transferring Clear Aligners?
The general transfer process is similar, but some practical details differ.
Transferring Treatment With Fixed Braces
With fixed braces, the receiving clinic will want to know which appliance or bracket system is being used. Orthodontists work with different systems and treatment methods, which is one reason a transfer assessment is important.
Often, existing braces can continue to play a useful role in treatment. However, the new orthodontist may sometimes recommend replacing or modifying particular components to suit the remaining treatment plan.
Transferring Invisalign, Angel Aligners, or Another Clear-Aligner Treatment
Clear-aligner transfers also involve digital treatment information.
If you are transferring Invisalign, Angel Aligners, or another clear-aligner treatment, bring your current aligner and any unused aligners you still have, and let the new clinic know which aligner system you are using.
Different aligner brands are managed through different digital planning systems. Invisalign and Angel Aligners use digital treatment planning, with custom clear aligners available through Shakespeare Orthodontics across its Auckland clinics.
However, that does not mean the new orthodontist must continue the treatment exactly as originally planned. Depending on your progress, current tooth positions, aligner brand, and available records, they may recommend continuing the existing sequence, obtaining a new scan, or revising the aligner plan.
How Much Does It Cost to Change Orthodontists?
There is no single price for transferring orthodontic treatment.
There are usually two separate financial considerations: what you owe, or have already paid, at your original practice, and what the new orthodontist will charge for the treatment that remains.
Your receiving orthodontist first needs to assess the amount and type of work still required. Depending on the case, the new fee may account for further active treatment, updated records, appliance modifications, finishing treatment, removal of braces, and retainers.
The important point is not to assume that payments made to one practice automatically become credit at another.
Will Changing Orthodontists Delay Treatment?
Not necessarily, although transferring care can sometimes affect your overall treatment time.
How much difference it makes depends on factors such as how early the transfer is organised, whether complete records are available, how long you go between appointments, whether the existing appliance is suitable for the receiving orthodontist’s plan, and whether changes to treatment are required.
Professional guidance recommends providing a treatment history, models or scans, X-rays, and other relevant information when transferring because this can help the new orthodontist understand the case and continue treatment with less disruption.
Your new orthodontist will be able to give you a more meaningful estimate of the remaining treatment time after examining you.
How to Start an Orthodontic Transfer With Shakespeare Orthodontics
If you are already wearing braces or aligners and moving to Auckland, you can begin organising your orthodontic transfer before you arrive.
Contact Shakespeare Orthodontics with the name of your current clinic, the type of appliance you have, and your expected moving date. The team can explain the next steps and arrange an assessment so a specialist orthodontist can review your treatment.
With clinics in Takapuna, Epsom, Warkworth, and Howick, Shakespeare Orthodontics can also help you choose a practical location for your ongoing appointments.
Changing orthodontists does not mean abandoning the progress you have already made. A well-organised handover gives your new orthodontist the information they need to understand your treatment and plan the next stage of your care.
Phone: (09) 2166 888
Email: admin@shakespeareortho.co.nz
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Your new orthodontist will review the records available and decide whether updated imaging or scans are clinically useful. New records may be recommended when the existing information is incomplete or no longer reflects your current treatment stage.
Not automatically. You should clarify your account with your original practice, while the receiving orthodontist will establish a separate fee for the treatment they are going to provide.
Start as soon as you know you are moving. Advance notice gives your existing clinic more time to prepare records and can help reduce unnecessary gaps between appointments.
Yes. The same basic transfer principles apply if you are moving to Auckland from another country. Try to arrange as much information as possible from your existing orthodontist before leaving. Records are particularly valuable when terminology, appliance systems, or treatment approaches differ between practices or countries.
Potentially. Temporary help with an appliance problem and formally transferring responsibility for the remainder of treatment are different situations. If you have permanently relocated and need ongoing appointments, a full transfer of care is likely to be more appropriate.
