Orthodontic Treatment for All Ages
Dr. Lin is a board certified orthodontist with over 10 years of clinic experience. She has received specialized orthodontics residency training at the prestigious SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Over years, many general dentists, pediatric dentists, and pediatricians in Covington, Maple Valley, Kent, Greater Seattle area, and Puget Sound have trusted Dr. Lin by their families’ and patients’ smiles.
At Harborview Kids Dental and Orthodontics, we provide comprehensive orthodontic treatments for kids, teens, and adults. Orthodontic exam, x-ray, and consultation are completely FREE. We provide same-day start (subject to insurance policies), which would save significant travel time for patients and parents. We offer various payment plans, making the journey of orthodontics accessible to patients of different backgrounds.
Custom-tailored braces (traditional metal braces)
Traditional metal braces: the most common, effective, and durable treatment, using metal brackets and wires to move teeth.
Ceramic braces (clear braces): Similar to metal braces but with tooth-colored or clear brackets, making them less visible. They are more fragile than metal.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of custom-made, transparent plastic trays to gradually move teeth into their proper position. These aligners fit snugly over the teeth and apply gentle, controlled pressure to shift them over time, similar to how traditional braces work but without metal brackets or wires.
Clear aligners are designed to be nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for teens and adults who want a more discreet orthodontic option. They are popular for aesthetics and hygiene.
Orthodontic appliances
Orthodontic appliances are designed to help patients who have arch discrepancies, cross bite and deep bite etc. Each appliance requires a specific time range to achieve the best result.
| Appliances | Ideal treatment age |
| Expanders: Help with narrow arch/palate, cross bite and crowdings. | 7 year to growth peak |
| Bite plate: Help to correct deep bite. | Before the growth peak |
| Face mask: Help to correct underbite, anterior cross bite. | 7 year to growth peak |
| Retainers: Help to retain teeth where they are and prevent further teeth shifting. | Any time |
Habit appliances
Habit appliances are special dental devices used to help children stop oral habits that can affect tooth alignment and jaw development. These appliances work by gently discouraging behaviors such as finger sucking, finger biting, tongue thrusting, or prolonged pacifier use, which can interfere with normal dental growth.
Many oral habits are normal in infants and young children, but if they continue for too long, they can lead to problems such as open bites, protruding front teeth, or improper jaw development. Habit appliances help guide the mouth toward healthier patterns while supporting proper tooth and jaw alignment.
Orthodontic surgery
Orthodontic surgery is a procedure used to correct severe jaw and bite problems that cannot be fixed with braces alone. The surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to improve how the teeth fit together and how the face functions and appears.
Orthodontic surgery is typically recommended for older teenagers or adults whose jaw growth is complete, especially when the jaws are significantly misaligned. It is usually performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in collaboration with an orthodontist.
