Your North Vancouver Invisalign® Provider
Orthodontic Treatment
Discover Your Straighter Smile
Beginning with our thorough orthodontic assessment, we can identify your oral health needs and determine the best treatment plan to help you to straighten your smile.
Treatment Options
Wearing braces has gotten easier in recent years for patients who need them, thanks to modern advancements in orthodontics.
From clear and tooth-coloured brackets to heat-activated wires that require fewer adjustments, we can help you find the right type of appliance for you, depending on your needs.
Some patients may be candidates for Invisalign clear aligners, which help straighten teeth using clear aligners similar to retainers. These require no wires, brackets or braces.
The Treatment Process
- 1. Planning Phase
Your first appointments may include:
- An evaluation of your medical and dental history
- Taking impressions or "molds" of your teeth
- X-rays of the teeth and jaws
- A CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan
After these are completed, braces or custom-made Invisalign clear aligners will be created and applied for you.
- 2. Active Phase
During active orthodontic treatment, patients will come to our office for regular adjustment appointments with Dr. Lee (usually every 3 weeks or so). During these appointments, wires and/or elastics will be adjusted.
Specific treatment requirements, including consistent at-home care, excellent dental hygiene practices, and avoiding certain foods if you are wearing braces, will help you stay on track with your treatment and ensure your teeth straighten as scheduled.
You will receive specific instructions based on your orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Lee is happy to answer any questions and help patients understand the treatment process.
- 3. Retention Phase
Once a patient has completed the active treatment phase, Dr. Lee will remove the braces and/or appliances and a custom retainer will be created.
Typically, retainers are removable devices and help to maintain the changes to your teeth that occurred during active treatment.
Worn continuously, they help stabilize the teeth and bone in their new positions.
The duration of your treatment time with braces and a retainer will vary depending on the patient and their individual case.
The Benefits of Orthodontics
While it's nice to have straight teeth, it's even more important to eliminate potential oral health issues caused by a misaligned jaw and uneven teeth.
Misalignments can make cleaning teeth a difficult task, which leaves a patient more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay.
Left untreated, orthodontic problems can also lead to challenges with speech, digestion and chewing. Tooth surfaces may endure abnormal wear over time.
Eventually, gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth may suffer undue strain, which can impact the jaw. This can result in headaches, and pain in the neck and face.
Orthodontic treatment can alleviate this pain, correct misalignment and preserve your oral health so proper jaw development can occur, leaving you with a more symmetrical smile you'll be proud to reveal.