Braces on Vancouver Island

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary significantly based on the nature and severity of the misalignment being addressed, as well as the type of braces used. Your orthodontist will give you an estimate for the cost of your treatment at the start.

If you already have an estimate from your orthodontist, you can use our cost calculator to determine your approximate monthly payments.

Most children, teens and adults who have healthy teeth and gums are generally considered good candidates for braces. That said, certain people with significant recession or oral health conditions may not be candidates.

Braces are available in various styles and can tackle a broad spectrum of moderate to complex orthodontic issues, meaning there are minimal limits on who can benefit from them.

We offer self-ligating braces and translucent braces at Shoreline Orthodontics.

Self-ligating braces don't require elastics or ties like traditional braces, resulting in a neater, more streamlined appearance. Translucent braces feature ceramic brackets that match the colour of your teeth, allowing them to blend seamlessly with your smile. You can learn more about both types of braces on this page under 'Types of Braces'.

Invisalign clear aligners are also an option for low-profile orthodontic treatment.

The average orthodontic treatment time is six to 30 months, but this can vary significantly from patient to patient. The duration of your orthodontic treatment depends primarily on the type and severity of your misalignment. As you might expect, mild or moderate cases are quicker to treat than more complex ones.

You'll likely need a week or two to fully adjust to your braces after you first get them. You might find it difficult to resist poking them with your tongue as you get used to how the wires and brackets.

You may also notice that certain areas of your mouth rub against the braces and get sore. Orthodontic wax can be placed on the braces in these areas to help create a smoother surface with less friction as your mouth adjusts. Again, this discomfort is temporary, and after a couple of weeks, your mouth will likely feel normal again.

It might come as a surprise, but placing the bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are fitted and connected with the arch wires, it typically takes eight to 12 hours to begin to feel some discomfort. You may experience this discomfort for the next week or so. We recommend sticking to soft foods, taking over-the-counter painkillers, and eating LOTS of ice cream during the first week!

Yes, adults can get braces! An increasing number of adults today are choosing to embrace orthodontic treatment that they might have missed in their younger years, all to boost their oral health and enhance the aesthetic appearance of their smiles.

Many of our adult patients prefer the lower profile, more streamlined look of translucent ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, or Invisalign. All these options allow you to straighten your teeth without the more pronounced appearance of traditional braces.

Yes, children as young as seven years old may be candidates for braces in some cases. Certain developing misalignments and bite problems are often more easily treated in young children, as we can guide their oral development rather than attempting to correct issues that are already established later on.

With all that being said, we take a very conservative approach to braces for children, and only prescribe them when there's a serious risk of future orthodontic problems.

Absolutely! It's super important to brush your teeth after every meal while you're going through your braces treatment. It helps keep your smile bright and healthy.

Taking care of your oral hygiene is especially vital when you have braces. With those braces in place, your mouth has lots of little crevices and nooks that weren't there before. It's quite easy for food particles to find their way into these tiny spaces, which can create the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.

To avoid developing cavities (not to mention tooth discolouration and bad breath), extra vigilance with your oral hygiene is essential.

Flossing with braces may seem complicated, but it's fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it!

To floss your teeth with braces, thread the floss down through the space between the arch wire and your teeth. We provide floss threaders for our patients to simplify this process. Gently pull the end of the floss towards the back of the tooth and move the floss up and down between the teeth. Then, repeat this process for each pair of teeth.

Having braces means taking extra care when eating, yet you can still enjoy many of your favourite foods.

You should avoid hard, crunchy, or overly sticky foods. In general, it's important to chew carefully while wearing braces and take your time. Refrain from biting into foods like apples or corn on the cob (cut your apple into bite-sized pieces and shell your corn instead!) and avoid chewing gum entirely.

Generally, you can continue eating your usual diet with a few modifications along the way.

It's a good idea to steer clear of sports that might regularly involve direct blows to the face when you have braces. Even with a mouth guard, it's best to avoid sports like boxing to keep your smile safe.

Other contact sports, like football or rugby, may be possible if you wear a mouth guard, but we advise extreme caution in these cases as well.

For most sports, though, you should be able to keep playing with no problem. If you want to continue getting out on the field, court or rink during your treatment, we recommend wearing a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, your mouth, and the braces themselves from damage.

Braces and Invisalign are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but there are differences between them that may affect their suitability for different individuals. 

When deciding between braces and Invisalign, consider your personal preferences and lifestyle, aesthetics, the extent of your misalignment, and the cost involved.

Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.

Learn About These Treatment Options