Our Orthodontists
Our Doctors
Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Bastian studied at the University of Washington where they received their doctorates in dentistry. Our doctors were selected from a pool of dentists worldwide for graduate studies at the University of Washington, where they were awarded master’s degrees in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Dentofacial orthopedics is a specialized form of dental care in which the treatments are designed to guide the growth and development of the facial bones of children and adolescents. Both doctors are diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Our Clinic
Dr. Terry Sullivan, DDS, MSD
Dr. Sullivan has dedicated himself to excellence in orthodontics for over 20 years. A graduate of the University of Washington, he received his DDS with honors in 1992 and his MSD certificate in orthodontics in 1994 as a Specialist in Orthodontics for both children and adults. Upon graduation Dr. Sullivan was elected Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the dental honor society. Many local doctors have entrusted Dr. Sullivan to provide orthodontic care for themselves and their families.
“I enjoy my work and I am fortunate to have had the privilege of getting to know many wonderful people through my practice. I have delighted in the way patients‘ lives have changed as they have become more confident and self-assured with their new smiles.”
In practice for over 20 years, Dr. Sullivan is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Washington State Dental Association and the Snohomish County Dental Society. His commitment to knowledge and research in the dental field has seen him serve on executive and peer review committees and publish articles in orthodontic journals. Dr. Sullivan has also earned the distinction of being named a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Sullivan is a strong supporter of the community sponsoring many events, local schools, sport teams, and individual patients. Dr. Sullivan and his staff are also supporters of Cocoon House, the Everett women’s shelter, and Special Olympics.
Dr. Sullivan’s devotion to his field is demonstrated through his flair for invention, and he has received two U.S. patents for orthodontic devices.
Dr. Sullivan has been married to his wonderful wife since 1989, and they have two sons who are currently in college. He enjoys various recreational sports, music, and spending time with his family.
Dr. Neal Bastian, DDS, MSD
Dr. Bastian and his wife are true natives of the Mill Creek area and feel blessed to be able to work and raise their children in the community they love. Dr. Bastian graduated from Snohomish High School and his wife, Michelle, graduated from Jackson High School. Dr. B started his first job at the Shur-Kleen Car Wash just down the street from Sullivan Bastian Orthodontics.
After earning his Bachelor of Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, Dr. Bastian returned to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to begin his dental training. Dr. Bastian earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington graduating within the top of his class.
Dr. Bastian received numerous awards and accolades for his performance throughout school including his induction to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Dental Society, Earl C. Matson Scholarship for Excellence in Operative Dentistry, as well as the WSDA Presidential Scholarship. He then continued his education, specializing in orthodontics at the UW earning his Master of Science in Dentistry, and certificate in Orthodontics. His research focused on athletic mouthguards for the orthodontic patient, his article has been published in orthodontic journals. Dr. Bastian is also a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He is passionate about learning, constantly seeking ways to improve his patients’ experiences with faster, more comfortable, and more reliable orthodontic therapy.
Outside of his life at Sullivan Bastian Orthodontics, Dr. Bastian has four of the sweetest kids and the greatest wife imaginable. He loves playing pickleball, tennis, and swinging the golf clubs with his two oldest, Mr. Wilson and Mads (Madison). His younger girls, Annabelle (AnnaBana) and Eden are his true sidekicks and are often found swinging around his neck. As a UW Husky through and through, Dr. B thought it necessary to get not one, but TWO Siberian husky pups Masha and Misha. He loves exploring nature with his kiddos, shooting hoops outside, or riding dirt bikes around the yard. Sometimes, he can be found watching Filipino soap operas to freshen up on his Tagalog which he is fluent in after living in Manila for two years. Dr. Bastian’s family is his life and his true happiness is the relationships he has with the many amazing members of the Mill Creek community.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The consultation typically lasts about 45 minutes.
The first 15 minutes of the consultation is dedicated to taking full orthodontic records including photos and x-rays at no charge which will assist our orthodontists in planning you or your child’s treatment.
During the next 30 minutes you will meet our orthodontist and have a 1-on-1 discussion with our treatment coordinator about possible orthodontic treatments. During this time, you will have the opportunity to discuss any orthodontic and dental problems you may be concerned about.
There are 5 essential questions that we will cover during the consultation:
- Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
- What treatment options are available to you to correct the problem? (i.e. braces, Invisalign, expander, etc.)
- What is the estimated length of treatment?
- What is the total cost of treatment?
- What payment options are available?
No, the consultation is completely FREE. This includes an examination, all photos and x-rays (orthodontic records), and a 30 minute consultation with our treatment coordinators and orthodontists.
We want you to be completely comfortable and well-informed in your decision making process.
There are no hidden fees. The entire consultation, including all photos, x-rays and the assessment by our orthodontist are completely free.
The cost of your treatment will vary depending on your specific dental requirements. Once we complete a new patient exam and create a treatment plan for you, you will meet with a treatment coordinator to discuss the costs and payment plans available to you. We will work with you to create a payment plan that is tailored to your needs and budget.
Yes! Kindly give us a call and we will try our best to accommodate you. If our schedule permits, we may be able see multiple family members back to back.
Of course! Second opinions are welcome! We hope that at the end of the consultation, you are educated, informed and able to make the best decision for you and your family.
Our services are provided by orthodontists. Orthodontists are dentists who, after finishing 4 years of dental school, then went to orthodontic school for another 3 years for extensive training with braces, Invisalign, expanders, bite correction appliances, etc. The only thing our doctors do – all day, every day – is straighten teeth! Our orthodontists will straighten teeth on hundreds of patients per year and thousands of patients in their lifetime.
On the contrary, most general dentists don’t do any orthodontics. The few that do treat only a handful of cases per year, and usually these cases are very simple cases (ie. retreatment of a patient who previously had braces but stopped wearing their retainers and teeth shifted slightly).
Orthodontics is something you only want to go through and pay for once, so trust your smile to a specialist 🙂
If you are in need of treatment, an orthodontist will recommend an appliance specific to your dental needs. Some of the treatment options available include: traditional braces, clear braces and Invisalign.
Treatment times vary depending on your specific course of treatment, but with the new cutting-edge technology, the average treatment time is 18-24 months.
Brush your teeth by using a regular soft toothbrush. Brush down from the top and then up from the bottom on each tooth; always brushing away from your gums. Use a gentle sawing motion to work the floss on each side of the two teeth the floss is between. Be careful not to pull with too much force around the archwire.
That varies per patient but there is new technology that uses memory shape, heat activated wires that work without needing painful adjustments, decreasing the amount of office visits necessary to complete treatment. The average time between visits can range from 8-10 weeks. As you come close to finishing treatment, the doctor may want to see you more often, typically between 4-6 weeks during your last few months, to fine tune your final tooth movements.
