Orthodontic FAQs

A: There are many reasons orthodontic treatment might be indicated. Usually it begins with a desire to straighten teeth and make your smile more beautiful, confident, and healthy. At your initial consultation, one of our doctors will evaluate your bite and position of the teeth. Treatment is recommended when the bite is malaligned and doesn’t allow the teeth to come together in a position that is healthy for the teeth, gums, and bones around the teeth. If there is previous bite related damage to teeth or jaw joints which creates difficulty with chewing or pain then treatment is certainly warranted.

A: It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the exact cost and financing options during the initial examination. We have many financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you.

A: It’s never too late to straighten your teeth and get the smile you’ve always wanted. Over 25% of our patients are adults!

A: No, we welcome everyone to our practice. The least you will get out of your appointment is some good advice! Request Appointment

A: Everyone is different but in most cases, treatment should not take longer than 2 years. At South Surrey Smiles, we use a specialized indirect bonding technique to place your braces which makes it faster to put your braces on with a more accurate placement. Due to the accuracy with indirect bonding and our doctors specialized expertise, our average treatment time is less than a year and a half, usually about 14-16 months! It is important not to rush treatment because we need time to move your teeth in the healthiest way and make sure that your result will be stable. We know that your time is important and we will make sure to get you in and out of braces as soon as possible!

A: On average, we see our patients every 2 months.

A: It may come as a surprise but it does not hurt to place the bands and brackets on your teeth. Once your braces are in place and connected with the arch wires, it generally takes 8-12 hours to start feeling some discomfort. You may feel some soreness of your teeth for a couple of days after a new wire is placed. We recommend soft foods, Tylenol or Advil.

A: While rare, orthodontic emergencies happen. We know even non-emergencies such as loose or broken brackets/bands/wires or misplaced archwire/bracket/tie can cause stress and discomfort. If you experience a emergency be sure to give us a call to let us know what happened and we will be able to recommend what you should do next. We will do everything we can to correct the problem as quickly and pain-free as possible. For more information see our Emergency Care page.

A: Thankfully, there are just a few instances where orthodontic emergencies apply. They include:
Any major trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth.
Infection and/or swelling and/or bleeding of the mouth, gums or face.
Severe discomfort or pain in these areas that do not respond to treatment.
If during the course of treatment, you experience any of these issues, seek help as quickly as possible. Call our clinic immediately, unless you believe heading to the emergency room is your best option. For more information see our Emergency Care page.

A: At South Surrey Smiles, we are excellent teachers in the oral hygiene department! We will teach you how to keep your teeth clean, provide you with some new specialized toothbrushes and floss. Keeping your teeth clean while wearing braces will take longer, but you will have all the tools you need to do so. Each time you visit us for your appointments, we will let you know if you are doing a good job or if you need improvement. Those that keep their teeth clean will be rewarded!

A: The best rule of thumb is to avoid foods that are HARD, STICKY, or SWEET. Hard and crunchy things can break brackets which can slow things down. Sticky stuff can bend wires. Sweet, sugary foods are okay to have as a treat, as long as you brush well after you eat them.