Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist in BC?
No. In BC you can book directly with a specialist — no dentist referral required — and consultations are typically free. Your orthodontist and dentist will coordinate care once treatment begins.
What age should a child first be assessed?
Around age 7. This is a screening, not a commitment: most kids need nothing yet and enter no-charge growth monitoring. See our early orthodontics guide for when Phase 1 genuinely helps.
How long does treatment take?
Comprehensive cases: 12–30 months. Adult relapse cases: often 6–12. Anyone quoting a timeline without records is guessing — expect a written estimate after your exam.
What does treatment cost here?
In Coquitlam, comprehensive braces typically run $6,000–$9,000 and Invisalign $4,500–$8,500. What matters as much as the number is what it includes — our cost guide lists the red flags.
Do braces hurt?
Placement is painless; expect a few pressure-sore days after bonding and some adjustments. Soft foods and standard pain relief cover it.
Am I too old for treatment?
No. Adults are about a quarter of all patients. Healthy gums are the prerequisite, not age — see adult orthodontics.
How do dentists and orthodontists work together?
As a team: your dentist manages your overall oral health and often makes the referral; the orthodontist brings 2–3 extra years of specialty residency and full-time orthodontic focus. Who should manage which cases — the full picture.
What if something breaks mid-treatment?
Call the clinic; minor emergencies are seen within days and should be included in your fee. Orthodontic wax is the universal short-term fix for a poking wire.
More questions we hear every week
Should my child see you or our dentist first?
Either. Your dentist is the quarterback of your child's oral health and often spots the need first; but no referral is required in BC, and if your child is seven and no one has looked specifically at the bite, you can book the free assessment directly. We'll loop your dentist in either way. More on referrals.
Do you push early treatment?
We believe strongly in guiding jaw growth when the pattern is skeletal — it can mean fewer extractions and no surgery later. We don't believe every seven-year-old needs an appliance, and most children we assess get a free recall date rather than a treatment plan. The indications.
Are retainers really included?
Yes — in the written fee, with retention checks through the first year. Replacement retainers years later are priced modestly.
Can Invisalign fix my bite?
Often, for mild-to-moderate cases. Larger corrections are usually faster and more predictable in braces, and we'll say so. How we decide.
Does orthodontics help TMJ pain?
Sometimes — when the symptoms are related to how the teeth meet. Not when they aren't. Diagnosis first. The honest connection.
Is jaw surgery covered in BC?
The surgery itself generally is, through MSP, when medically required and hospital-based — confirmed case by case by the surgeon's office. The orthodontics around it isn't. Details.
What if I choose another clinic?
Then we hope this site helped you choose well. The criteria apply to everyone, including us.
Questions about early treatment and children
What does 'growth modification' mean?
Guiding how the jaws develop while a child is still growing — widening a narrow arch, encouraging a retruded lower jaw forward — with appliances that only work during growth. Our philosophy.
What is a twin block?
A removable appliance that guides the lower jaw forward in a growing child; our workhorse for the retruded-jaw pattern, often with expansion built in. Explained.
My child snores — is that an orthodontic issue?
Sometimes partly. See your doctor first; then let us look at the palate and jaw position. More.
Questions about money
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, through our office, interest-free. How they work.
How does insurance work?
Usually a percentage up to a lifetime maximum; we direct-bill and map two-plan families. Insurance in BC.
What if we can't afford treatment for our child?
Ask about Smiles Change Lives at the free assessment. Options.
Questions about the practice
Where are you?
1158 The High Street, Unit 106, at Coquitlam Centre — near Lincoln Station, underground parking off Atlantic Ave. Directions and hours.
Who are the orthodontists?
Dr. Alireza Haerian Ardekani and Dr. Aly Kanani, both Certified Specialists in Orthodontics registered with BCCOHP. Meet them.
Do you see patients from Port Moody and PoCo?
Every day. Areas we serve.
Questions about treatment itself
Can I choose the colour of my braces?
Yes — at every visit, with metal brackets. Ceramic brackets take clear or tooth-coloured ties. Braces.
What happens if a bracket breaks?
Call us; same-day repairs are available and included in the fee, with after-hours support. Wax over a poking wire in the meantime.
Can I play sports or an instrument with braces?
Both, with a mouthguard for contact sports and a fortnight's adaptation for brass and woodwind.
How often are appointments?
Every six to eight weeks for braces; every six to ten for aligners; short tracking checks between as needed.
Do I still see my dentist during treatment?
Yes — cleanings every six months matter more with brackets. We coordinate with your dentist throughout.
Questions about the site
Who writes these pages?
Our clinical team, reviewed by our certified specialists. Positions of ours are labelled as ours. About this site.
Do you publish reviews?
No. We'd rather you read independent ones, and judge the consultation in person.
Can I use these criteria at another clinic?
That's the point. Every page is written to work anywhere in the Tri-Cities.
Misconceptions we correct most often
“I need a referral.”
You don't, in BC. Your dentist still matters and we coordinate.
“Consultations cost money.”
Ours are free, including records and a written plan.
“Orthodontists don't talk to dentists.”
We send findings back after every referred visit and at debond.
What Coquitlam families search for, answered
“How do I find a good orthodontist in Coquitlam?”
Verify the registration, ask the twelve questions at two free consultations, compare the quotes on contents. This site exists to make that easy.
“Are braces worth it?”
For a functional bite that lasts, usually yes — provided retainers are worn afterward. We'll tell you honestly if a case is mild enough to leave.
“Can I switch orthodontists mid-treatment?”
Yes. Records transfer and fees are prorated. It happens when families move; it happens less often for other reasons, but it's your right.
More about the practice
What languages do you speak?
English, Tagalog, Polish, Spanish, Punjabi, Farsi, Vietnamese and Mandarin.
Do you offer same-day repairs?
Yes, and after-hours support.
Are there family or pay-in-full discounts?
Yes — contact us for details. Flexible down payments, 0% interest and extended plans are also available.
What retainers do you use?
Vivera retainers by Invisalign as our go-to, with a bonded lower wire case by case.
What technology do you use?
iTero digital scanners, CBCT 3D imaging, a soft-tissue laser, digital photography and AI-assisted analysis.