Post-Treatment For Braces

Post Treatment

Congratulations! You’ve done the hard work of wearing the braces, and can now proudly show off your straight, pearly whites! Even though the main treatment is over, you still need to take care of your teeth. 

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Ensuring Long-Term Results

In addition to oral hygiene, you need to wear your retainers based on the instructions provided to you. This is because the mouth is a dynamic, living space, and teeth are constantly changing position in order to adapt to the changes in your muscles and bones. This change usually involves mal-alignment in the lower front teeth, and it occurs most commonly during late teens and early twenties. So make sure you wear the retainers as instructed to ensure the teeth stay straight and in proper alignment!

There are a few different types of retainers that you can use after your braces treatment is complete.

Essix Retainers

Essix retainers are clear plastic retainers, similar in appearance as Invisalign trays. They’re nearly invisible, easy to wear, durable, and provide excellent retention.

Essix Retainers
The Hawley Retainer

The Hawley Retainer

The Hawley retainer is probably the type of retainer you have in mind when you think of a retainer. It has a metal wire that wraps around the teeth, with a pink (or any other colours that you like) acrylic piece that sits on the inside. The Hawley retainer had been around for a very long time for a good reason, it just works! It is very durable, it allows for flexibility of adjustments, and it can be tightened to make sure no spaces open up after treatment.

Fixed Retainer

A Fixed retainer consists of a metal wire that is bonded to the inside of the teeth. The retainer can’t be removed, hence the name “Fixed” retainer. These retainers are used when there was dramatic tooth movement during treatment and the risk of relapse is high. Fixed retainers require special attention as they require a specific flossing technique. It is important to use a floss threader but also to be gentle to avoid damaging the wire or breaking the bond. It is very important to keep this area clean to maintain healthy teeth. Fixed retainers do need to be checked on a more routine basis to make sure that they are still effectively holding your teeth in place.

Fixed Retainer

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

See What Our Patients Are Saying About Us

Hundreds of 5 Star Review from Happy Patients.
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Dec 2019 | Ina Cheng

A very beautiful office with professional staff

My daughter’s teeth are on its way to being perfect! Thank you, Dr. Wang and staff for being so attentive and efficient at each of our visits.

Dec 2019 | Stephanie Yeh

Just got my braces off and my teeth look amazing!

The doctors and staff are always super nice and friendly, I would definitely recommend if you’re looking to get braces!

Nov 2019 | Salwa Takar

Amazing team!!

They made my dream smile come to life. Huge shoutout to the amazing doctors and the staff especially Leighton since she saw my first smile

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June 2020 | Lili Xu

I'm glad I found such a professional dental office.

The staff is very enthusiastic and the dentists are very professional and responsible. It took me only ten months to complete my orthodontic work. It was perfect. Dr. Lee is super nice, patient and responsible

Nov 2019 | Shannon Tao

The clinic is also newly renovated and very beautiful.

My sister referred me to see Dr.Wang and I’m is happy I committed to changing the appearance of my teeth at this clinc. I love coming to my appointments and always look forward to seeing Maria and Dr.Wang!

Nov 2019 | Priyal Bhambra

I loved it here!

The staff here is so amazing, kind and understanding. I would definitely recommend everyone coming here !

Our Locations 

With offices in Vancouver and Surrey, we’re proud to hold patients from all across Metro Vancouver achieve their best smiles with Orthodontic and Invisalign treatments. Visit the location that’s most convenient for you and see what makes us different!

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Ask Us a Question 

Get started today by calling us at 604-558-0993 (Vancouver) OR
604-501-0993 (Surrey), or by filling the contact form.

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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Dr. Yashodhan Milind Bichu

  • Certified Specialist-Orthodontics, British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals, 2024
  • Dental Speciality Assessment and Training Program Orthodontics, University of British Columbia, 2024
  • M.D.S, Master of Dental Surgery, Goa Dental College & Hospital, Goa University, Goa, India,2010
  • B.D.S, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, MGV’s KBH Dental College & Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, India 2006,

Dr. Yash is a Certified Specialist Orthodontist with an experience of over 14 years gained through specialist orthodontic practices in Mumbai, India and Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is multilingual and fluent in several languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, and Arabic.

He completed his dental program from India in 2006 with Honors, as a distinguished recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Certificate of Merit for Academic Excellence and subsequently earned his master’s degree in Orthodontics from Government Dental College as a Gold Medalist of the Goa University in 2010. Being an ardent advocate of ‘Learner for Life’ philosophy, Dr. Yash went on to pursue advanced training in Lingual Orthodontics, Micro Implant Anchorage and Surgical Orthodontics at the Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea in 2014. He then completed a mini-residency stint at the UConn Dental School, University of Connecticut, USA (2017) to further hone his skills for accelerated orthodontics and clear aligner therapy.

Dr. Yash moved to Canada with his family in 2022 and completed his orthodontic specialty recertification program at the University of British Columbia in 2024, by securing the single coveted seat offered to internationally trained Orthodontists in 2023. He is also a fellow of the prestigious Royal College of Dentists of Canada- an honor bestowed to the top dental specialists in their field.

Dr. Yash believes in “Practice Passion in Orthodontics” and specializes in treating children with preventive and interceptive orthodontics, and adults with contemporary and esthetic treatment modalities.

In his spare time, Dr. Yash enjoys talking; actually, mostly listening, to his wife, Aditi, an orthodontist herself; and their chatty 6-year-old daughter, Anahita. The trio live in Vancouver and love exploring all the wonderful places, sampling the plethora of cuisines and just soaking in the resplendent beauty that Beautiful British Columbia and Canada offer!

Find Our More About Surrey Orthodontics

To find out more about the orthodontic specialties, braces for teeth and treatments at PacificWest Dental Group, please call PacificWest Dental Surrey or Vancouver offices to book an appointment. 

Dr. Yan Liu

  • University of British Columbia 2021, Vancouver, Certified Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
  • Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, 2004, San Francisco, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Pecking University, 2001, Beijing, PH.D.
  • Beijing Medical University 1997 Beijing, DDM,

Dr. Yan Liu is a Certified Specialist of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics with over 20 years of experience as both a practitioner and an educator. She has been practicing at Pacificwest Dental Group in Vancouver BC, since 2021.

She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Beijing Medical University in 1997 and later acquired her Ph.D. from Peking University in 2001. In 2004 Dr. Liu finished her postdoctoral fellowship at the Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. She is now a part-time faculty at UBC Dentistry School, where she spends considerable time advancing research and mentoring students. Her clinical researches are about Assessment of Treatment Results of Invisalign and Comparison of Root Resorption Between Cases Treated with Invisalign and Fixed Edgewise Appliance.

When asked what gets her up in the morning, Dr. Liu says it’s seeing her patients thrive in life with their new smiles. She strives to explore efficient treatment modalities that serve patients well and keep her knowledge and skills updated. She also cares about the ongoing research and development in Orthodontics and how to improve the long-term impact on patients’ beautiful smiles. Her enthusiasm for her work is further evident in her active involvement in the Canadian Association of Orthodontics as well as the BC Society of Orthodontists.

In her spare time, Dr. Liu enjoys spending time with her family. She loves to golf, bike and practice yoga, too.

Professional Memberships

  • The Canadian Association of Orthodontists
  • The British Columbia Society of Orthodontists
  • The Chinese Association of Orthodontists
  • Invisalign Annual Summit Speaker

Find Our More About Surrey Orthodontics

To find out more about the orthodontic specialties, braces for teeth and treatments at PacificWest Dental Group, please call PacificWest Dental Surrey or Vancouver offices to book an appointment. 

Dr. Kevin Lee

Dr. Kevin Lee

  • University of British Columbia 2015 Combined MSc and Diploma in Orthodontics, Vancouver, BC
  • University of British Columbia 2011 DMD, Vancouver, BC
  • University of British Columbia 2006 Bachelor of Science: Biochemistry, Vancouver, BC

Born and raised in Taiwan, Dr. Kevin Lee moved to Richmond, BC with my family in 1999 when he was 15 years old. Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) Degree and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of British Columbia in 2011. After spending a year working as a full-time hospital dental resident at the Montefiore Medical Center in the exciting city of Bronx, New York (Yankees!), Dr. Lee came home to British Columbia, where he spent three years at UBC to complete graduate training in orthodontics. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Craniofacial Biology for his study of Dentofacial Morphology in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Dr. Lee is a certified specialist in Orthodontics, a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Lee is also a director of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in BC.

Dr. Lee lives in Richmond with his wife Dr. Sherry Liu, a local family dentist, and their two kids. In his spare time, Dr. Lee enjoys photography, cooking, movies, and spending time with families and friends. He also volunteers at Willingdon Church as photographer and First Aid Responder.

“The unique combination of art, mechanics, and science required to treat every patient is what made orthodontics fascinating to me. Because every smile and patient is unique and different, a customized treatment plan is formed for each person to provide a balance between function, aesthetic, and health. As a board-certified orthodontist, I am passionate in updating myself with the most advanced knowledge and skill to provide quicker, easier, and most predictable treatment options for my patients. I am excited for the opportunities to meet with every one of my patients to share my knowledge, skill, and passion in orthodontics, and to form a long lasting partnership with them.”

Find Our More About Surrey Orthodontics

To find out more about the orthodontic specialties, braces for teeth and treatments at PacificWest Dental Group, please call PacificWest Dental Surrey or Vancouver offices to book an appointment. 

Dr. Cheng Lun Wang

  • DDS. Doctor of Dental surgery, University of Western Onterio, 1989
  • MSc. University of Manitoba 1994
  • Cert. of Orthodontics, University of Manitoba 1994

Orthodontic specialist, Dr. Wang, is the founder and sole-proprietor of PacificWest Orthodontics and Dental Group in Surrey and Vancouver. Dr. Cheng Lun Wang graduated with a degree in Dental Surgery from the University of Western Ontario in 1989.

After graduation, he completed an internship with the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, transitioning later into a full-time position with the I.W.K. Hospital for Children in Halifax and specializing as a pediatric orthodontist. During this time, Dr. Wang continued to teach undergraduate dental students from Dalhousie University, while also building a part-time private practice in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Dr. Wang entered the orthodontic program at the University of Manitoba in 1991. After three years of intensive Clinical Orthodontic training, he earned a Masters of Science degree in Craniofacial Biology in 1994.

An enthusiasm for continuing education has led Dr. Wang to share his years of professional experience on Orthodontic and Pediatric dentistry at various lectures and professional presentations throughout Canada. In addition to actively practicing lingual and labial Orthodontics in his private clinics, he also serves as a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Dentistry. His clinical research has been published in the Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology.

Dr. Wang’s primary focus is working directly with you to meet your specific orthodontic needs. Working with his orthodontic associates and support team, Dr. Wang practices out of two PacificWest Dental Group clinics – one in Vancouver BC and the other in Surrey BC. 

Professional Memberships

Find Our More About Surrey Orthodontics

To find out more about the orthodontic specialties, braces for teeth and treatments at PacificWest Dental Group, please call PacificWest Dental Surrey or Vancouver offices to book an appointment. 

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