Braces, Dental Braces, Teeth Braces, Orthodontic Braces Treatment, Smile With Braces, Straight Teeth Braces

Call PacificWest Dental Group to upgrade your smile today!

Why Choose Braces to Straigthen Your Teeth?

Whether you’re experiencing overcrowding, have problems with your bite, or want to straighten out your smile, braces are here to help. Braces use a wire and bracket system to push the teeth into a straight position over time. In turn, they make the teeth easier to clean and boost their overall appearance. They aren’t just for kids and teens, either. Many adults and seniors get braces to straighten their teeth and gain the confidence that comes with a shiny new smile.

Braces are an efficient way to straighten teeth and improve oral health. By exerting pressure on the teeth and jaw, braces can change the position of your teeth over time. The wires are held in place by metal brackets, which apply pressure to the teeth and move them into the correct position. The soft tissue sandwiched between the teeth and bones is called periodontal ligaments. When braces move a tooth to the right position, the ligament compresses and initiates the process of bone resorption, creating space to allow teeth to move into the space. After the tooth movement is completed, new bone forms on the other side to fill in the gap.

Types Of Braces

The team at PacificWest Dental Group offers several types of braces. We cater to the needs of each patient to provide proper treatment. During your appointment, we will discuss your options to help you make an informed decision. Here are the types of braces we offer and their benefits.

Pacific West Dental clear braces on a smiling woman

Traditional Metal Braces

As the most common type of braces, these appliances are made of medical grade stainless steel. Comfortable and lightweight, they straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. You can customize the look of these braces with colourful elastics. They are the most economical option.
Gold Braces

Champaign Gold Braces

If you want to straighten your teeth in style, consider this cosmetic option that still delivers results. These braces perform the same as their stainless steel counterparts but stand out more with gold plating. The costs are similar to stainless braces, but it's a matter of preference.
Ceramic braces

Ceramic Braces

Made of clear materials, these braces are almost invisible. Older teenagers and adult patients with cosmetic concerns choose this option. They require attention to oral hygiene because they tend to be larger and more brittle than metal braces. However, ceramic braces are less noticeable and mostly used on the upper front teeth.
Invisalign-invisible-teeth at Pacific West Dental

Invisalign

Invisalign requires wearing invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten teeth. They are nearly Invisable, and because they are removable, you can eat and drink what you prefer during treatment. However, compliance is of the utmost importance to the success of the treatment. Please consult with our orthodontists to see if Invisalign is suitable for your situation.
Lingual Braces of Smiling Woman at Pacific West Dental

Lingual Braces

Hidden behind the teeth, lingual braces are not visible when you smile. Adults may choose this discreet option to straighten their teeth without hassle. Our team will customize these braces to match the shape of your teeth and create the appliances just for you.

Benefits of Braces

There are many short and long-term advantages to braces. The team at PacificWest Dental Group is committed to finding effective dental solutions to help you, and your smile, look your best. Here’s what a great pair of braces can do for you!

Improved Oral Health

A healthier smile makes for a healthier body. Braces correct several issues to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Properly aligned teeth are simpler to brush and floss. In turn, you prevent tooth decay from occurring later in life.

Better Bite Alignment

Braces treat problems with your bite and fix misaligned teeth. Bite problems are called malocclusions, which occur between the teeth of the upper and lower dental arches when they approach each other when the jaws close. Braces straighten the teeth, and shift the jawline into the right position.

More Attractive Smile

A straighter smile will boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself. Braces straighten the teeth to give them a better cosmetic appearance. Call the experts at PacificWest Dental Group to get the smile you deserve! What are you waiting for?

Who Can Benefit from Braces?

In short, anyone can benefit from braces. From children and teens to adults and seniors, anyone can take advantage of braces. Our team welcomes everyone into our office with open arms and will easily solve their dental problems. Here are common issues that require braces.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth or overcrowding occurs when the jaw bone is too small for teeth to grow straight into the mouth. It causes teeth to rotate and overlap against each other to fit in. The result is crookedness and misalignment.

Crowded teeths patientcrowded teeth

Irregular Teeth Shape or Size

The teeth need to be a certain shape and size to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. If a tooth doesn’t fit properly, it can cause issues.


Irregular spacing issueIrregular spacing

Open Bite

An open bite happens when the front upper and lower teeth slant in an outward direction. It stops them from touching one another when the patient bites down.

Open Bite Issueopen bite solution

Under Bite

Underbite occurs when the teeth along the lower jaw protrude out farther than the upper front teeth. It happens because of incorrect jaw alignment.

Underbite Issueunder bite solution

Over Bite

When the upper jaw and teeth extend too far over the teeth on the lower jaw, resulting in the appearance of a protrusive upper lip and teeth, or buck teeth, overbite is the culprit. 

Overbite Issueimage 3

Cross Bite

A crossbite is present when a tooth or several teeth are situated too close to the cheek or tongue. It prevents the teeth from biting against each other normally, making it harder to chew.

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Deep Bite

When there’s too much overlapping between the top and bottom front teeth, a deep bite occurs.


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Our Treatment Conditions

The PacificWest Process

We make the process of getting braces safe and easy. Let us walk you through our process from consultation day to when you have a smooth smile.

Consultation

During your first appointment, you will meet your dentist and learn about your treatment options. We will take a digital scan of your teeth so we can show you all the details on the computer screen. Each patient has their own needs, which is why some get traditional braces and others end up with Invisalign.

Records

After the consultation, the doctor will need a full set of records of your smile and face to complete the diagnosis and finalize the treatment plan. The records includes X-rays to evaluate your teeth and jaw position, photos of your face, mouth, and smile, and a digital scan of the teeth.

Placement

Next time you visit our office, we put your braces on your teeth. We will start by cleaning the teeth to make sure the appliance can stick to your teeth.  Then we attach brackets to the tooth with bonding glue. The wire is then secured with rubber bands. You can pick the colours!

Follow-Up Appointments

You will attend follow-up appointments once every 6-8 weeks to monitor your progress. Our team will adjust the wires and replace the elastic ties. It’s a chance to ask questions and address any concerns you have about your braces.

Removal

After one to three years, we will remove your braces. This is done by gently removing the brackets by breaking the bonding beneath them, and cleaning the adhesive from your teeth. With a mirror in hand, you can admire your new smile and compare your teeth to your first appointment!

How to Maintain Your Braces

At PacificWest Dental Group, we want you to maximize your treatment. That’s why we have some tips to help your braces do their job.

Pacific West Dental

Thoroughly Clean Your Brackets and Wires

When you have braces, brushing your teeth becomes even more important. When you brush your teeth, pay attention to each wire and bracket. You should carefully and gently make your way across each surface to eliminate food particles, build up or plaque. Unclean teeth can cause serious damage.

stock teeth brushing

Brush and Floss Your Teeth with Care

Brushing your teeth after every meal or large snack prevents food from getting trapped and creating unpleasant-smelling harmful bacteria due to poor oral hygiene. Flossing at least once per day removes leftover debris your toothbrush misses. Flossing after every meal keeps your braces clean.

Periodontist in Vancouver and Surrey

Be Careful About What You Eat

When you have braces, you should avoid popcorn, which has kernels that can get stuck in your brackets. Hard and crunchy foods can also hurt your braces. We recommend eating soft foods like pasta, soft-cooked meats and other foods cut into small pieces.

Comprehensive Treatment at Pacific West Dental

Follow Your Orthodontist's Advice

The orthodontists at PacificWest are approachable and here to help! After bonding your braces to your teeth, your orthodontist will give you all the resources you need for successful treatment. This includes offering care instructions, monthly check-ups and answering any questions.

The PacificWest Dental Group Difference

The PacificWest Dental Group prides itself on its commitment to best-in-class patient care. We specialize in various types of braces and keep each patient in mind.

Our experienced team of dentists and orthodontists has over 25 years of experience. Using up-to-date technology, we provide customized treatments for each patient. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a returning patient, we cater to your needs and foster a safe and comfortable environment.

Visit our dental specialists at our Surrey or Vancouver office today!

Periodontist doing surgery with assistant
Dr. Wang & Dr. Lee Stands together

Meet Our Doctors

We take pride in our progressive  dental specialty office, offering quality orthodontic care in a modern, professional environment.

Our goal is to achieve the highest level of patient health and satisfaction, and contribute positively to our community. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

About PWD

We encourage a friendly atmosphere at our Vancouver and Surrey office, and welcome all our patients into the PacificWest Dental family. We understand our patients are trusting us with their smile, and we appreciate that trust. We believe in being transparent with our patients about the process, and we make sure they are comfortable every step of the way. We are happy to offer the latest technology in the industry and multidisciplinary care to treat our patients in the best possible way.

We are pleased to have Dr. Wang, Dr. Lee, Dr. Cheng, and Dr. Chiang overseeing the orthodontic treatment of our patients. Each of our orthodontists is Certified Specialists in Orthodontics. Learn more about our orthodontists here.

The teams at both of our locations provide equal quality care, and we want you to choose the location that is most convenient for you.

General

Having crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can affect more than how your smile looks. Severely crowded dentition is more difficult to clean, and may result in higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Other common malocclusion such as crossbite and deepbite can cause uneven wear to the teeth and extra stress to the jaw joint. Check out our Orthodontics page for more information.

An orthodontist is a dentist who has so much passion and love in the art of moving teeth, they spend 2-3 more years in specialty school to learn the knowledge and skill in orthodontics. Additionally, they need to pass the rigorous national board examination (The Royal College of Dentists of Canada, National Dental Specialty Examination) in order to become a certified specialist in Canada. Finally, because a certified orthodontist usually will limit his or her practice to orthodontics only, they have much more experience in diagnosing malocclusion and providing treatments than a family dentist.

Whether a case can be treated by a family dentist depends on the complexity of the malocclusion and the experience and training of the family dentist. Many family dentists have great interest in orthodontics and will take courses to obtain knowledge and experience in providing braces treatment. In fact, the orthodontists at PacificWest Dental have hosted many study clubs to help our family dentist colleagues learn about orthodontics.

You should ask your family dentist what kind of training he or she has in orthodontics, if he or she treated cases like yours before, and does he or she have photos of the case that he has completed to show you. We will be more than happy to provide you with a second opinion if you have any questions about your teeth!

Orthodontic treatment is suitable for people of all ages, whether young or old. Starting from the age of 7, we recommend taking your child to visit us so that we can monitor his or her teeth and jaw growth, and keep an eye out for potential problems. Learn more about our approach here.

Braces work by gently pulling and pushing the teeth to guide them into alignment. The real working horse in this process is the wire. Think of your teeth as a set of trains; braces are the wheels on the train, and the wire is the rail. It is the wire that guides the teeth where to go.

But how does the physical force from the wire actually make teeth move? Teeth are suspended in the bone by a collection of ligaments. When teeth are under pressure, these ligaments are squashed, and they release signals to call for cells (osteoclast) to come to remove the bone surround them (so they could become unsquashed).  After the teeth have moved into new position, another type of cell (osteoblast) will come to build new bones around the teeth to secure it in the new position. And this is how braces work to move your teeth!

At the initial consultation, we want to understand your needs and provide you with treatment options. In order to do this, we will need your medical and dental history, and any questions you may have!

This is the million dollar question! The cost of braces is based on several factors like the complexity of your case, how long treatment will take and which type of appliances you choose (metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign® or lingual braces). And because each patient receives a different treatment plan customized to his or her need, the cost will also be different.

Rest assured that during the consultation with Dr. Wang and Dr. Lee, financial figures will be discussed in depth. At PacificWest Dental Group, we work together with our patients to ensure treatment is affordable and payment options are flexible. We offer interest-free financing and accept cash, cheque, Visa, MasterCard, and debit.

Insurance plan coverage varies greatly, so we recommend asking your provider what your coverage includes. We will provide you the total cost of your treatment before your first appointment so you can determine your cost after your insurance coverage.

We do not direct bill to your insurance provider, but provide you with receipts and invoices so you can successfully process your claims.

About Braces

Never fear! Braces don't hurt at all when they're applied to the teeth. However, you may experience minor soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic is put through the brackets. This sensation tends to last between a few days and a week.

No! Anyone can get braces as long as their baby teeth are gone and adult teeth have grown in their place. You're too old to straighten your teeth. Gain confidence and upgrade your smile by visiting a PacificWest Dental Group office today!

Braces need to be worn between 18 months and three years, depending on the severity of the case. Factors such as the patient's dental condition, the complexity of the case and the type of braces being used determine the duration of treatment. Book a consultation with PacificWest Dental Group today!

The team at PacificWest Dental Group recommends monthly check-ups. These generally happen every four to six weeks. During these visits, we check the progress of your treatment, make adjustments and answer any questions you may have.

During Treatment

On the day you get braces put on, your mouth may feel tender, achy, or sore. It may be difficult to bite or chew hard foods for three to five days after your treatment begins. To help relieve this soreness, it’s important to rinse your mouth with warm, salt water: dissolve one teaspoon of salt in about eight ounces of water, and rinse your mouth (spitting out the salt water).

Do this multiple times a day for the first three to four days. You can also purchase products like Colgate Orabase, a topical pain reliever that is applied to the sore spots in your mouth. Alternatively, you can also take pain relievers in pill form. If the tenderness persists for more than a week, contact our office. You may also want to consider laser pain management as well.

Your lips, inside cheeks and tongue may also be irritated or tender for several weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. To lessen the irritation you can apply wax on the braces!

Give us a call to schedule an appointment to get this issue fixed. In the meantime, place wax on the wire or bracket to reduce any abrasion that may occur as a result of the loose appliance. Make sure you always have wax with you, it can be your best friend during your treatment.

Post-Treatment

After teeth move, the bone and tissue around a tooth need to reform and adapt to the new position. This process usually takes between 4-6 months, and the teeth have a high tendency to shift back to the crooked position if a retainer is not worn during this period. Therefore, retainer acts as a bridge to lifelong straight teeth and is designed to hold teeth in the perfect position after your braces are removed.

Each patient will receive specific instructions on retainer wear tailored to his or her condition. In general, you’ll eventually reach the point where you only need to wear it a few nights per week.

Your retainers were made to fit your teeth when braces first came off. If the retainer feels tight when you wear them, then there is a good chance that the teeth have shifted. Most of the time you just need to wear the retainers fulltime again for a few weeks to get the teeth back in alignment, but it is best to make an appointment to come to see us. The doctors will evaluate the situation and advise you the best action to take.

Have other questions? Feel free to contact us!

Get a Consultation

answer our 1 minute questionnaire and get a consultation with our orthodontist!

Dr Wang
Dr. Wang, DDS, MSc, FRCD(C)
ORTHODONTIST 
Dr Kevin Lee
Dr. Kevin Lee, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)
ORTHODONTIST 

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Our Locations

With locations in Vancouver and Surrey, we are proud to help patients from all over Metro Vancouver with their Orthodontist and Invisalign needs. Choose a location works best for you and come see what we are all about for yourself.

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Surrey

Book a Consultation

Get started todaY by calling us at 604-558-0993 (Vancouver) OR 604-501-0993 (sURREY), or by filling the form below.

During your initial consultation, we will understand your situation, perform a visual examination of your bite, recommend a treatment plan and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

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