what is a periodontist

Orthodontics is a unique form of dentistry that is all about the position of the teeth. 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 a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Other common malocclusions, such as crossbite and deep bite, 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 spent up to three additional years in school acquiring skills and knowledge in the specialty of moving teeth. They need to pass the rigorous national board examination (The Royal College of Dentists of Canada, National Dental Specialty Examination) to become a certified specialist in Canada. Finally, because an accredited orthodontist usually limits their practice to orthodontics only, they have much more experience in diagnosing malocclusion and providing treatments than a family dentist.

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

You should ask your family dentist what kind of training they have in orthodontics, if they have treated cases like yours before, and if they have photos of the cases they have completed to show you. We will gladly provide you with a second opinion at our office if you have any questions about your teeth! Book a free consult today.

Orthodontic treatments are beneficial for children, teens, and adults. Orthodontic treatment is suitable for people of all ages, whether young or old. Starting from the age of seven, we recommend taking your child to visit us so that we can monitor their teeth and jaw growth and keep an eye out for potential problems. Catching potential issues can help children have better smiles because it assists with accelerated orthodontics when they get older. 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 train cars: braces are the wheels on the train, and the wire is the rail. It is the wire that guides the teeth where to go.

Teeth are suspended in the bone by a collection of ligaments. When teeth are under pressure, these ligaments are compressed and they release signals to call for cells (osteoclast) to remove the bone surrounding them so they can decompress. After the teeth have moved into a new position, another type of cell (osteoblast) will build new bones around the teeth to secure them in the new position. And this is how braces work to move your teeth!

A popular alternative to braces is Invisalign. Invisalign uses clear aligners to push the teeth into the correct positions gently. Ask a doctor at our office about your treatment options before deciding. Dr. Wang and Dr. Lee are experts in their field and understand how to help everyone, from teens to adults, feel confident in their smiles.

At the initial consultation, we want to understand your needs and provide you with treatment options. To do this, we will need your medical and dental history and any questions you may have. Our doctors will work with you to understand your needs and how we can improve the appearance of your smile. Dr. Lee and Dr. Wang can assist you, your children, and teens through various orthodontic methods, including Invisalign and orthodontic braces.

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 their need, the cost will also differ.

Rest assured that during the consultation with Dr. Wang and Dr. Lee, financial figures will be discussed in depth. At PacificWest Dental Group in Surrey, 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.