Orthodontic Blog

While our offices have been temporarily closed to help keep our patients, team members and community safe, we’ve been hard at work (virtually) and have found new ways to stay connected. After all, we want to ensure our Alaska, Bothell, Monroe and Mill Creek braces and Invisalign patients are able to maintain their progress, while also allowing prospective patients to reach us. That’s why we’ve added some new features to our website: online check-ins and virtual consultations. 
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Am I too old for braces? Is Invisalign worth it in my 50s? These are the types of questions I hear all of the time as an Alaska and Seattle-area orthodontist. As I tell my patients, as long as your teeth and gums are healthy, I can help you get an incredible smile at any age and it’s never too late to reap the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Even if you do have oral health concerns, I can work with your dentist or any specialists to get you to a place where treatment would be safe and effective. If you’ve been considering orthodontics, here are seven things you should know about Invisalign and braces.

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For decades, metal braces were the only option for teenagers in orthodontic treatment. That’s why they became sort of like a teenage rite of passage. While today’s metal braces have seen huge improvements and they’re a great choice for a lot of patients, there are other options now, including Invisalign Teen. In fact, I’ve seen more and more of my Alaska and Seattle-area orthodontic patients opt for clear aligners. If your teen is interested in the braces alternative, read on to learn more about Invisalign Teen. Read More

All of my Juneau, Sitka, Bothell, Mill Creek and Monroe Invisalign and braces patients kick off their smile journey with a consultation. At Richard Chan Orthodontics, this first visit is complimentary because I know choosing an orthodontist is a big decision. I want you to have all the information you need to feel confident about moving forward. Here’s what to expect at your braces or Invisalign consultation at our practice: Read More

Most people get their permanent second molars between the ages of 11 and 13. By the time these teeth come in, I’m able to see exactly what issues a patient may be facing with their smile, including crowding, spacing or an overbite. This is one of the reasons why it’s so common for teens to start orthodontic treatment around this time.

Yet, once a teenager is done with braces or Invisalign, they might have another milestone on the horizon: their third molars, or their wisdom teeth. If a person’s wisdom teeth do erupt (not everyone’s do), they typically make an entrance between the ages of 17 and 21. Of course, after investing in orthodontic treatment, you don’t want these final pearly whites to disrupt your results, which is why patients often ask, “Should you remove wisdom teeth before braces?” The answer I give my Monroe, Mill Creek and Bothell braces patients is, no, not usually. I’ll cover why that’s the case and when it might be recommended to have your wisdom teeth taken out.  Read More

When your child first finds out they’ll be getting braces or Invisalign, they’re likely going to have a lot of questions. They might be nervous about the treatment being painful or embarrassed to be the only person in class with braces (fact: they won’t be!). They might be frustrated about all the rules of what they can and can’t eat, and how to brush and floss their teeth. We get these questions all the time at Richard Chan Orthodontics, both from our teen patients and their parents. In most cases, kids are simply afraid of the unknown. As parents, it’s your job to help them understand what to expect and prepare them as best as possible.

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