Frequently asked questions

No. You can book directly with Embrace Orthodontics, no referral from your dentist is required to be seen.

Yes. Your initial consultation with Dr. Catherine McLeod is complimentary, with no obligation to proceed.

Yes. You can start with a complimentary virtual consultation with Dr. Catherine McLeod over Zoom from home, get all your questions answered, and decide on an in-person visit when you are ready. Many Halifax families begin this way.

Dr. Catherine McLeod examines your teeth and bite, takes any records that are needed, explains your options simply and clearly, and gives you a clear idea of timing and cost.

Call 902-817-6453, text 902-706-9716, or request a time through the booking form on our website, and the team will confirm a time that works for you.

There is no waitlist at Embrace Orthodontics. Most patients are seen within a week of requesting their free consultation, and often much sooner. Call 902-817-6453 or text 902-706-9716 and our team will find you a time, usually the same week, at our Halifax office on Spring Garden Road.

Yes. Before treatment starts, your teeth and gums need a clean bill of health from your general dentist, with an exam and cleaning within the last six to twelve months. If anything needs attention, your dentist treats it first, and then orthodontics can begin safely.

Yes. Embrace Orthodontics offers easy, free parking for patients in the Park Lane Parkade at 5550 Annandale Street, steps from our office at 5657 Spring Garden Rd, Suite 402, located above Park Lane Mall.

Embrace Orthodontics offers metal and clear braces, Invisalign and clear aligners, LightForce custom braces, expanders and early treatment for children, plus retainers and custom mouthguards.

Both can create an excellent result. The best choice depends on your bite, your goals and your lifestyle, and Dr. Catherine McLeod will recommend the right option for you at your free consultation.

LightForce is a system of custom, 3D-printed braces designed precisely for your teeth. It is advanced technology that few Halifax clinics offer.

Embrace Orthodontics is an all-digital office, so instead of messy molds we take a quick, comfortable iTero scan of your teeth. That scan lets Dr. Catherine McLeod design custom, 3D-printed appliances made to fit only you, from LightForce braces to aligners, expanders and habit breakers.

It depends on your bite and your goals. Many comprehensive treatments take between about one and two years, and Dr. Catherine McLeod will give you a clear estimate at your consultation.

Yes. Dr. Catherine McLeod is a specialist orthodontist who treats both straightforward and genuinely complex cases.

Not always. Wherever it is clinically possible, Dr. Catherine McLeod works to straighten your smile while avoiding extractions and jaw surgery.

Every smile is different, so your treatment fee depends on the complexity of your bite and the treatment you choose. Your exact, all-in fee is confirmed in writing at your free consultation, with no hidden costs, and interest-free monthly plans start at $149.

Your fee is patient specific and depends on the complexity of your case and bite. As a guide, early treatment for children in Halifax may range from $1,200 to $5,800. Comprehensive treatment for children and adults in Halifax may range from $6,400 to $9,200. Your exact fee is confirmed as a written quote at your free consultation, with interest-free monthly plans from $149.

Yes. We offer interest-free monthly plans starting at $149, at 0% interest, with flexible down payments.

Yes. We bill your orthodontic insurance directly where your plan allows, so you pay less up front.

Yes. Where it helps, we can submit a pre-determination to your insurer before you commit, so you know what your plan will contribute toward treatment. We also bill most orthodontic insurance directly, which lowers what you pay up front.

No. The initial consultation is free, so you can understand your options and costs before you decide anything.

Around age seven. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic visit no later than age seven, when a child has a mix of baby and adult teeth and Dr. Catherine McLeod can spot anything that is easier to guide while they are still growing. The visit is free and no referral is needed.

Early treatment gently guides a child's jaw growth and incoming teeth at the right age. It can make later treatment simpler, and sometimes avoids it altogether.

Not usually. Many children who come early simply need monitoring as they grow, and treatment only begins if and when it is the right time.

Yes. Teens are a large part of our practice, with braces and Invisalign options that fit around school, sport and everyday life.

Most people feel some tightness or tenderness for a few days after braces are placed or when they change to a new aligner. It settles quickly and is usually managed with soft foods and ordinary pain relief.

Most foods are fine. It is best to avoid very hard, crunchy and sticky foods that can damage braces, and we give you a simple list to follow.

Brush gently after meals and floss daily using the tools we provide. Good cleaning keeps your teeth healthy and your treatment on track.

Call us at 902-817-6453. Many small issues, like a poking wire, can be eased at home, and we will arrange to see you quickly if you need us.

Yes. We make custom-fitted mouthguards that protect your teeth and braces during sport, shaped to fit you comfortably.

Yes. Retainers hold your teeth in their new position and are an important part of keeping your smile straight for the long term.

Teeth can shift throughout life, so we recommend wearing retainers long term, usually at night, to protect the result you have worked for.