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FAQs

Are Braces or Invisalign Better?

There are pros and cons to each appliance. Braces require less compliance in the sense that they are glued onto the teeth so you can’t forget them at home; however, you have to avoid eating hard sticky crunchy foods and it takes more time to properly brush and floss your braces. Invisalign is a great aesthetic option which is a more comfortable way to straighten your teeth there are no dietary restrictions and brushing and flossing is easy however the aligners won’t work unless you wear them 22 hours a day seven days a week.

Can I get treatment if I have missing teeth/veneers or crowns on my teeth?

Answer is yes. Many people have missing teeth, implants, fillings, crowns or veneers on their teeth. We can straighten your teeth regardless.

How long does it take to straighten teeth?

Every person’s teeth and bite concerns are different, but generally speaking most comprehensive full treatments take 24 months to complete. Phase one treatment, which is more limited in scope and targeted for children aged 7 to 10, typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete and may require an additional phase of treatment once all the permanent teeth are in.

How often do I have to come in for appointment during orthodontic treatment?

Braces patients typically see us for in-office visits every six to 12 weeks and Invisalign patients typically come in to see us in office every 12 weeks.

What if I move mid treatment?

We understand life happens and people will relocate from time to time treatment fees are calculated based on a formula for how much of the treatment was completed to settle the accounting then we will be able to provide you with a packet of your treatment information and details to share with your new orthodontist.

How do I apply dental wax to my braces?

If you have a poking wire or if you have a band that’s digging into your cheek and creating a sore, the easiest way to take care of this at home is to use your dental wax. What you would do is you take and peel off a piece of wax about the size of a dime and you would flatten it between your fingers and you would apply it to the area that is bothering you. Wax is not sticky like tape so if it’s a poking wire you want to make sure that you’re applying enough wax so it covers the wire that is exposed in addition to the bracket or two in front of it so you want to use a big enough piece to cover the entire segment.

How do I apply rubber bands to my braces?

There’s two ways that you can apply your rubber bands. The first way is to use your fingers: you would attach your rubber band to the lower tooth first and then drag it up to the appropriate upper tooth – this way it is easiest to apply your rubber bands. Try not to open your mouth too wide when you’re applying rubber bands – it’ll just make it easier for you to attach them this way. When you remove your rubber bands you can use your fingers and you would do the exact opposite: remove the rubber band from the upper tooth first and then the lower tooth alternately. There is an elastic placing tool within each of our rubber band kits that you can utilize if you’re not comfortable using your fingers to attach the elastics either method is fine you will find one that works best for you.

How do I floss with braces?

To floss you want to use either the floss threader that we give you and thread the floss through or you can use the platypus flosser which is technically easier but, unlike the flossers, are not reusable.

How long do I have to wear my retainers?

Retainers are forever. As we age our bodies change and our teeth show their age by shifting and crowding; wearing retainers nightly will ensure that your smile stays intact.

Testimonials

“Thrilled with my experience! Dr. Lee took me as a transfer patient after leaving an orthodontist I wasn't happy with. My only regret is not starting with her in the first place.”

N D.

"Dr. Lee and her staff are great. Really nice and professional. They seem to have all the new technology for getting impressions for my aligners and making sure my teeth straighten out. Very impressed!"

Allen N.

“Dr. Lee and the entire staff at Burlingame Smile Studio are AWESOME!!! My son just completed his two years of braces done and maintained by them. Always very nice, very helpful, understanding, caring environment.”

Tiffany J.

“Dr Lee is amazing! Our son has been undergoing biphosphonate treatment for his bones which can affect the way his teeth move. Dr Lee told us that she would do everything possible for our boy to get the smile he so much wanted. And she’s accomplished just that!”

Tai L.

“Burlingame Smile Studio has literally been the best orthodontic office ever(I’ve visited a few)!! Getting braces was something that I always dreaded, especially getting braces as an adult. Dr. Lee and the whole staff at Burlingame Smile Studio have made this journey so easy that I can’t even believe I’ve already hit my 1 year mark.”

Joseph R.

“I had a wonderful experience at Burlingame Smile Studio! I'm so thankful to Dr. April Lee and her team, for helping me to smile confidently now 😊 They are professional, friendly, and very caring.”

Alyssa A.

“I got a retainer to prevent it from turning again, but inevitably lost it. Fortunately, getting a new one from Dr. Lee was really easy (and I got extra just in case)!”

Eugene C.

“The best dental / orthodontic experience I’ve ever had. Dr. Lee and her colleagues were thorough in their care and clear + communicative throughout the entire process. Worth driving to come here!”

Niman M.

“Dr Lee and her staff have been wonderful. With every appointment they have been kind, professional, and attentive. They have educated me and my 2 sons about every aspect of care. I highly recommend Dr Lee’s practice. ( and easy, free parking )”

Mechele S.

“I had a great experience working with Dr Lee. I started the process last year and in about 10 months I was ready to move to the retainers, the change has been impressive and I’m really satisfied.”

Denise C.

“Dr. Lee was a delight to work with for my daughter's phase I orthodontic treatment. She gave us the option of traditional braces or Invisalign at the same cost (which I think is an uncommon practice); this which allowed us to make the best choice for our daughter's needs.”

Poojah S.

“We have an amazing experience here, all the staff every person was so nice. My daughter feels so comfortable, they are so kind and they work it is absolutely perfect. Highly recommended!”

Patty F.

“I love Dr. Lee and the entire staffs, very friendly and accommodating. I love the service I've received from the beginning to end and the outcome is superb...best experience!!! I highly recommend Burlingame Smile Studio.”

Bella D.

“I very much enjoyed my experience at Burlingame Smile Studio with Dr. Lee and her staff. All of them are so professional and friendly throughout my braces journey. My case was quite severely as an adult, and they were still able to help me along the way.”

I-Chieh W.

“Dr Lee is an amazing orthodontist and is especially amazing with kids including those who are nervous about getting braces for the first time”

Jason F.

“My experience with Dr. April Lee and staff has been fantastic. The staff are so friendly, efficient, and our appointments have always been on time. Dr. Lee has been fantastic. My daughters smile is perfect and she is thrilled with the results.”

Sinead M.

“My retainers broke and Dr. Lee was able to see me the next day. As for the results, they were fantastic. I’m showing off my pearly whites in all my photos now. Now only if Dr. Lee can work wonders on my dating profile!”

Jimmy V.

“Loved working with them. Attentive and caring, skilled group of people. I got to them as a second opinion after I was told I needed actual braces (train tracks) to fix my adult ortho problems (medical necessity, not just cosmetic) the team at Smile Studios said it was totally possible without that and they were right, now 2 years later I have a beautiful result!”

Suzanna J.

“My overbite needs a surgical intervention, which Dr. Lee had told me in my first consultation and she has done a phenomenal job getting me ready for the surgery in such a short period of time. She communicates with my surgeon and promptly shares updates with me. I am extremely happy with the progress so far and confident that I will continue to feel the same through the remainder of this journey.”

Abhishek G.

“Dr. Lee rocks! Being an adult with braces, I'm sure I am a little more demanding and inquisitive than the average child patient she sees. But, she always happily puts up with all of my many questions and requests.”

C. G.

“Came to see Dr. Lee for a set of new retainers but decided to get Invisalign instead. One of the best decisions made! Thanks to Dr. Lee, I'm really happy with my teeth and my smile :)”

Diana L.

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