Orthodontic Blog

At Richard Chan Orthodontics, my team and I may take a pretty high-tech approach to care and stay on top of current innovations and what’s coming in the future but we still appreciate the rich history of orthodontics. While our Seattle area, Sitka and Juneau Invisalign and braces patients are able to choose from modern treatment options at our practice, these treatments are built on some of the foundations established over centuries. Let’s dive in with a crash course in the history of orthodontics. Read More

One of the things that really sets Richard Chan Orthodontics apart is our high-tech approach. When I find a proven advance in orthodontics that can bring about amazing results while making patients more comfortable or making their treatment more convenient, I embrace it. For over a decade, one of my favorites has been the orthodontic laser. It’s enabled me to safely, painlessly and quickly do everything from exposing teeth that are slow to erupt to improve the aesthetics of a gummy smile. Today, I’m covering the basics of lasers in orthodontics to help you get a better idea of how they can be a useful tool to really transform your smile.

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Happy 2019! Chances are you probably made a few New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you resolved to eat healthier, give back to the community or hit the gym five days a week, which are all great ideas. But what about your smile? Considering our oral health is tied to our overall health, it makes sense to show it some New Year’s resolution love, especially if you’re a braces or Invisalign patient. Not sure where to start? Well, I have you covered with resolution ideas for anyone in orthodontic treatment.

• Be diligent about brushing and flossing with braces AND Invisalign – Teeth move more effectively in a healthy oral environment, so it’s important to practice great oral hygiene to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape throughout your treatment. Not only that, if you get cavities when wearing braces, it can set back your treatment time. In severe cases, you may even need to have your braces removed while cavities are treated and then put back on at a later date.

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At Richard Chan Orthodontics, when my braces or Invisalign patients kick off treatment, I make sure to explain to them in detail how to care for their new appliances. However, with the holidays in full swing and lots of fun to be had, you could have forgotten some of the finer points on Invisalign and braces care. Well, let’s test your knowledge with a quiz that covers everything from how to brush your teeth with braces to how many hours a day you should wear your aligners. Write down your responses and check them against the answers at the end to see how well you did.

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The American Association of Orthodontists recommends kids see an orthodontist for an evaluation by the age of seven. That’s because at this time, a child will have his or her first permanent molars, which establish the back bite. We can then look at the side-to-side and front-to-back tooth relationships to see how things are shaping up. While early orthodontic treatment has become more prevalent in recent years, that doesn’t mean your child will leave their first appointment in braces. In fact, at Richard Chan Orthodontics, I always treat extremely conservatively with minimal treatment on young patients. Most of the time, I can get outstanding results without two-phase orthodontic treatment. That being said, there are times when stepping in early can prevent the need for more extensive treatment or surgical correction later in life.

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Sometimes, braces alone can bring about fantastic results. In other cases, however, we need an anchorage point for a pushing and pulling force to help facilitate movements that can’t be achieved with just brackets and wires. In the past, headgear was the go-to treatment in many of these instances. As you can probably guess, not too many patients were thrilled with the prospect of having a large, bulky, highly visible appliance attached to their hardware. Thankfully, these days, there’s an alternative: a temporary anchorage device (TAD). I believe in using modern techniques that can make treatment more effective and easier for my patients at Richard Chan Orthodontics, which is why I’m trained in the use of TADs. Though TADs are an amazing tool, not a lot of patients are all that familiar with them, so I’m covering the basics. Read More

A decade or two ago, the braces experience was quite a bit different than it is today. The hardware was bigger, bulkier and less comfortable.  More frequent adjustments were needed due to less technologically advanced wires. A lot has changed but patients still get a little nervous about getting braces on and about treatment in general. It’s often because of hearing other people’s braces stories from a long time ago, the way they’re portrayed in pop culture or just a fear of the unknown. My team and I always chat with our Alaska, Bothell, Monroe and Mill Creek braces and Invisalign patients at their consultation and let them know exactly what to expect. This goes a long way in helping to alleviate any jitters they’re feeling. We also take a personalized, patient-centric approach, meaning our focus is on ensuring you’re comfortable, relaxed and happy. With that in mind, here are 8 things you won’t hear us say when getting braces on:
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