Orthodontics in Maple Ridge
Straightening teeth is about more than appearance. Crowded, gapped or misaligned teeth are harder to clean, wear unevenly, and can put strain on your jaw joints for decades.
At Kanaka Creek Family Dental we offer orthodontic treatment for every age — clear aligners for adults, teens and children, non-surgical palatal expansion for narrow arches, and myofunctional therapy to correct the muscle habits that cause misalignment in the first place.
Because we're a general practice, your orthodontic care sits alongside your cleanings, fillings and restorative work in one file, at one office, with dentists who already know your history. There's no referral, no second chart, and no starting over.
Every orthodontic plan here starts with a digital scan rather than a goopy impression, and we'll show you a simulation of your projected result before you commit to anything.
Orthodontics FAQs
- Do I need a referral to an orthodontist?
No. We provide orthodontic treatment directly at our Maple Ridge office. For complex surgical cases or unusual skeletal problems we'll refer you to a specialist orthodontist — and we'll tell you plainly when that's the better option rather than treating something we shouldn't.
- Why do some dentists steer patients away from clear aligners?
Usually because aligners aren't right for every case. They rely on the patient wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day, and they're less predictable for severe rotations, large bite corrections and certain jaw discrepancies, where fixed braces or surgery still perform better. The honest answer is that aligners are excellent for the majority of cases and wrong for a minority — a proper assessment tells you which one you are.
- What age should my child first be assessed?
Around age 7. Most children don't need treatment that early, but it's when a dentist can first see how the adult teeth and jaws are developing. Catching a narrow arch or crossbite early often means simpler, shorter treatment later.
- How long does treatment take?
Mild crowding or relapse after old braces can be finished in a few months. Comprehensive cases typically run 12 to 24 months. We give you an estimated range at your consultation, based on your actual scan rather than an average.
- Will I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes — permanently, in some form. Teeth drift throughout life whether or not you've had orthodontics. Retainers are what protect the result you paid for, and they're the single biggest reason some people's teeth relapse and others' don't.
- Does insurance or the CDCP cover orthodontics?
Many extended health plans include an orthodontic lifetime maximum that applies to clear aligners the same as braces. The Canadian Dental Care Plan does not cover orthodontics yet — a range of services has been announced but is not available and no start date has been set. See our guide to CDCP coverage.
Signs You May Benefit From Orthodontics
- Crowding or overlapping teeth — the areas your brush and floss can't reach are where decay and gum disease start.
- Gaps or spacing — food traps, and neighbouring teeth drift into the space over time.
- An overbite, underbite or crossbite — uneven force wears enamel down faster on some teeth than others.
- Jaw clicking, tension or morning headaches — sometimes bite-related. See jaw pain treatment and night guards.
- Mouth breathing or a narrow palate — often correctable with MARPE expansion and myofunctional therapy.
- Teeth that shifted after old braces — relapse is common and usually quick to correct.
What to Expect
Step 1: Consultation and digital scan
We scan your teeth with our CEREC Primescan, review your bite, and discuss what's realistically achievable.
Step 2: Your plan and simulation
You see a projection of your finished result, a treatment length estimate, and the full written fee before you decide.
Step 3: Treatment
Aligners are changed on schedule at home with periodic check-ins. Expanders and appliances are monitored in-office.
Step 4: Retention
We fit your retainer and explain exactly how to keep the result long term.
Nervous about dental work? Ask about sedation options — though most orthodontic appointments are short and painless.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Removable, nearly invisible aligners that straighten teeth without brackets or wires. Suitable for most crowding, spacing and mild-to-moderate bite corrections.
MARPE Palatal Expansion
Non-surgical widening of a narrow upper jaw in teens and adults — an option that used to require jaw surgery. Often improves nasal breathing as well as crowding.
Myofunctional Therapy
Exercises that retrain tongue posture, swallowing and breathing habits. Treats a root cause of misalignment and helps protect your result after treatment.
For Adults
Discreet treatment that fits around work and social life. Also corrects teeth that have relapsed since childhood braces.
For Teens
Built for growing mouths, with compliance indicators and replacement aligners for the ones that inevitably get lost.
For Children
Early guidance while the jaw is still developing, which often means shorter and simpler treatment later on.
See also children's dentistry.