FAQ

We follow the Canadian Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation to begin visiting the orthodontist around age seven. With early treatment, we can correct and guide your child’s jaw growth and tooth eruption, intercept certain bite problems, create more space for crowded teeth, and correct thumb-sucking habits.

There are a few things to watch for that may mean your child needs to see an orthodontist, such as crowded or misplaced teeth, crossbites where the upper teeth bite behind or inside the lower teeth, difficulty chewing or biting, or thumb-sucking. Thrive Orthodontics offers complimentary consultations to reduce financial pressures for our patients and their families.

One in four patients at Thrive Orthodontics is an adult, so you’re in good company if you’re seeking the smile you didn’t have the chance to correct when you were younger, or if you stopped wearing your retainer and experienced relapse. Sometimes orthodontic work is needed in conjunction with dental implants or restorations to provide you with the best result.

Yes! We offer flexible, interest-free payment plans that work for your budget. We’ll discuss what to expect with you in detail before any treatment begins.

Our orthodontic treatment fees depend on how simple or complex treatment is and the length of time treatment will take.  For example, Invisalign and braces can range from $3,500-9,000, with many cases being in the $5,500-7,500 range. We will let you know the cost of the treatment we recommend for you at your complimentary consultation.

Yes! As soon as one of your family members begins full orthodontic treatment at Thrive, any subsequent family members who begin full treatment receive our family discount.

No referral is necessary. Please give our office a call, and we’ll collect your information and schedule a complimentary initial examination that works for your schedule.

At our practice, Dr. Bellamy and Dr. Martin work together on every case, sharing their expertise to ensure you or your family receives the best care.

Our estimated treatment times and treatment fees depend on the complexity of the problem. We’ll provide you with an estimated timeline at your orthodontic consultation.

Since orthodontic insurance isn’t standard and varies between insurance companies and employers, it’s best to know your insurance information before attending your complimentary exam. This way, we can provide you with an accurate financial quote. You can check your coverage details by visiting your insurance provider’s website or app or by calling your insurance provider.

Here are some common insurers:

• Pacific Blue Cross
• Sunlife
• Canada Life
• Manulife

Our team is also able to check certain insurance companies on your behalf. 

Orthodontic insurance will have a reimbursement percentage and lifetime maximum (for example, 50% up to $2,500 coverage). 

Your insurance may also have limitations or deductibles (example: 50% up to $2,500 coverage under age 19, or $25 deductible each year).

Currently, the Canadian Dental Care Plan does not cover orthodontic treatment. As this program evolves, we’ll update our patients, so stay tuned.

Please call our office and listen to the voicemail prompts. From there, you’ll be asked to text the doctor or assistant on-call with your concern and they will assess the situation and advise you of the next steps. For guidance about handling emergencies at home as you wait for care, check out the My Care page.

We’re happy to help you determine if you’re eligible for any funding through the First Nations Health Authority, Ministry of Children and Family Development, and Jordan’s Principle. Please kindly provide us with your personal health number or status.

Retainers won’t move your teeth into the appropriate locations. They will hold your teeth in their current positions to prevent tooth movement with time. Just as skin wrinkles with time, teeth shift with time. Whether you’ve had orthodontics in the past, or are simply concerned about crowding with ageing, we can determine whether you’re a candidate for a retainer. Please contact us to get started.

We strive to make your orthodontic journey as convenient as possible by limiting your commute to and from appointments. For this reason, we have an office in Ladysmith to better serve this community. Certain visits, such as initial consultations, do need to take place at our Nanaimo location. Both locations use the same software, the same products, and same team members, so you can be assured your care is taking place efficiently if you attend appointments at both offices.

Unfortunately, there is no cause-effect relationship between orthodontic treatment and the resolution of temporomandibular joint problems. If this is your primary reason for seeking orthodontic care, you may wish to discuss your symptoms with your dentist or an oral medicine specialist so they can determine how these are best managed.

Our orthodontic office prides itself on being well integrated in our local community. We have an annual budget set aside to support the teams, groups, and events that enrich Nanaimo and Ladysmith. From donations to the VI Symphony, Nanaimo Hospital Foundation and the Aspengrove Ravens Rumble to White Rapids Swim Club and the Ladysmith Baseball Association, just to name a few, we are proud to support the mid-Island region we call home. 

Interested in obtaining sponsorship? Please click here.