Qualicum Beach (250) 752-0818

Port Alberni (250) 723-1333

Braces

Modern braces are not only more comfortable but also sleeker and more inconspicuous. They are designed with your comfort in mind, ensuring an effective and comfortable orthodontic experience. Let’s delve into the various options available to our patients, so you can make an informed choice about the braces that best suit your preferences.

How do Braces Work?

Braces use mild, regular pressure to shift and move your teeth into their desired position. There are several different types of braces and they are have a somewhat unique way of achieving your desired outcome.

What are the benefits of Braces?

Braces are mighty – improving the health, function and appearance of your smile:

    Straight teeth

    Braces work hard to straighten teeth and make a beautiful, healthy smile.

    Provide superior oral health

    Braces help prevent cavities, wear of teeth, and gum disease (eg. straightening crowded teeth).

    Restore proper functions like chewing and speaking:

    Help to achieve a healthy bite to improve chewing, reducing wear. And, treatment helps with speech impediments caused by misalignment and bite issues.

    Correct TMJ (temporomandibular joint)

    Braces can reduce pain associated with TMJ and resolve issues.

    Get Started Immediately!

    With braces, there is no wait time. You can get started immediately with our expert team. Same day!

    What is our treatment process?

    Our approach to treatment with braces is designed with you in mind:

    Custom Treatment Plan
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    Following your decision to proceed with braces, we will use your 3D scans and digital records/photos to create your customized treatment. And, the best part - you can get started same day!! Or, we’ll book your next appointment to get started at your earliest convenience.

    Putting Your Braces On
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    During this visit, we’ll get your teeth ready for bonding by applying a solution on the teeth. Next, the braces will be placed on your teeth using a special adhesive to hold them into place throughout your treatment. A curing light will harden the adhesive and set the bond. Lastly, we run the archwire through your braces with hold it in place with ligature bands. And that’s it!

    Wearing Your Braces
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    You’ll come back every 8 weeks or so for regular follow-up appointments. These are routing ‘adjustments’ and are faster than your first appointment. We’ll check on your progress and swap out old bands, and possibly the archwire, for a new set. And, you can pick different colours if you like! There will be discomfort from time to time depending on the adjustment - this can last a couple of days and is completely normal.

    Treatment Completion
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    Getting your braces off is a big deal! It’s a giant accomplishment. Removing braces is easy and fast. The brackets come off easily and we’ll remove the bonding material, polish the enamel, leaving smooth and shiny teeth

    Life After Braces
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    Upon completing your treatment, we'll guide you on post-treatment needs, such as retainers, based on your case. We'll schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure your continued satisfaction with your new smile, maintaining ongoing communication.

    Types of Braces

    Clear Braces

    Lightforce Braces

    Lightforce braces are advanced, fully custom 3D printed ceramic braces designed specifically to fit your unique teeth. They are the most modern and efficient braces available and can reduce your treatment time significantly.

    Gold Braces

    Light Gold Metal Aesthetic Braces

    The same as our traditional silver braces, but in an esthetic gold color! Gold braces are an attractive alternative to traditional metal braces. They are stainless steel braces with a 24kt gold electroplated coating.

    Self Ligating

    Self-Ligating

    Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces, but use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide teeth into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the tooth, and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.

    Clear Braces

    Clear Braces

    Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

    Metal Braces

    Traditional Metal Braces

    Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile.

    How do LightForce Braces Work?

    LightForce braces represent a modern advancement in orthodontic technology. Each bracket is custom-designed to fit every tooth in your mouth. Over the course of your treatment, your teeth will shift into place to a beautiful smile. With LightForce, you can come for fewer check-ups and finish faster making it a great choice!

    What are the benefits of Lightforce Braces?

    Lightforce braces are modern and efficient – improving your smile in less time! 

    • Shorter treatment time: Cases can typically finish 45% faster than traditional braces, meaning less time that you have to wait to see your new smile. 
    • Fewer Visits: Treatment visits can be lowered by as much as 41% allowing you to miss less school and work!
    • More comfortable fit: Discomfort can be reduced because of the snugger fit to your teeth.
    • Discreet look: No more mouth full of metal! Ceramic braces are more subtle than traditional braces.

    What is our treatment process?

    Our approach to treatment with braces is designed with you in mind:

    Custom Treatment Plan
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    L

    Following your decision to proceed with braces, we will use your 3D scans and digital records/photos to create your customized treatment plan using the LightForce digital software system.

    Your custom braces are designed and 3D printed! Based on your custom prescription, LightForce designs your braces and sends them back to us.

    Putting Your Braces On
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    L

    During this visit, the braces will be placed on your teeth using a special process to hold them into place throughout your treatment.

    Wearing Your Braces
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    L

    You’ll come back every x weeks or so for regular follow-up appointments. We’ll check on your progress and make adjustments as needed. There is little discomfort with this form of braces.

    Treatment Completion
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    L

    Getting your braces off is a big deal! It’s a giant accomplishment. Removing braces is easy and fast. The brackets come off easily and we’ll remove the bonding material, polish the enamel, leaving smooth and shiny teeth!

    Life After Braces
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    L

    Upon completing your treatment, we'll guide you on post-treatment needs, such as retainers, based on your case. We'll schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure your continued satisfaction with your new smile, maintaining ongoing communication.