With braces, do your teeth have to get worse before they get better?

Sometimes: In some orthodontic cases, especially if your teeth are severely crowded, they have to be moved apart to make room to straighten them. Sometimes, this can appear less attractive, especially if you've become used to crowded teeth. In the end, however, everything will line up and you'll have a nice smile and a good bite. In either case, your teeth don't get worse; just your smile temporarily.

Maybe: It depends on what you mean by "worse." when orthodontically moving teeth, you will feel discomfort and soreness. And you do have to be more diligent in cleaning your teeth due to the brackets. However once treatment is done, most likely you'll have a nice smile.

Braces: Not necessarily but it does happen often. In some instances they will. It really depends what you need done. So to sum it up. Not always but often times yes.

Define "worse": Sometimes at the beginning of ortho rx crooked teeth may start to look protrusive, but this is just a part of the trip the teeth have to take to be optimally aligned. Sometimes comfortable teeth will feel sore or feel like they are not meeting properly as they align. Again, a temporary stop along the highway to excellence. If you are concerned, ask your orthodontist.