It pains me to write this review but I feel it is necessary. I got my braces off in late March and was pretty satisfied with the result. However, when I came in for my retainer checkup appointment in mid July, things went bad. I brought up to Dr Lu that my bite felt a little high on the left side. Big mistake on my part, I should have kept my mouth shut. Dr Lu had me bite down blue paper with my 2nd molars and once he identified the 'high spots' he proceeded to nonchalantly shave, with a high speed drill, one of the cusps on both my upper and lower left side second molars by about 0.1mm. He did not even evaluate my entire mouth with blue paper, only the spot I mentioned to him. So on that day I lost 0.2mm of healthy tooth structure. It was only after I realized there was nothing wrong with my bite before, it's just that my 1st molars are slightly less erupted on the left side which gives the illusion of a higher bite if you feel around with your finger / tongue. My bite is slightly right side heavy now, but knowing Dr Lu, he would offer to 'equilibrate' my right side teeth as well! While this is not catastrophic, it is annoying enough to be on my mind every day. My bite is worse now and I deeply regret what occurred on that day. This technique is called 'equilibration', and it is a controversial gray area in the dental field. Many dentists and orthodontists refuse to equilibrate teeth because most of the time it makes things worse and unnecessarily removes healthy tooth structure. This ordeal has caused me mental anguish that I would not wish anyone else to go through. It is late September as I write this review and this is still fresh on my mind. I have tried Apagard Premio remineralizing toothpaste and Sensodyne w/ Novamin to try and 'repair' the damage that was done, to no avail. I have now come to terms with the fact that once enamel is gone, it is GONE. There is research on regrowing enamel and even regrowing teeth, but I do not see either happening any time soon. Even if a product that could regrow enamel hit the market, it would likely only repair non-cavitated lesions on the tooth's surface, not rebuild lost structure. That task is performed by cells in your body known as ameloblasts, which die off before the tooth erupts from the gums. Every few years you hear about "breakthroughs" but nothing ever happens. I even met with Dr Lu in person last month to try and move on from this, but it just did not work out. I did not feel any better after visiting him, he simply gave me a mirror and asked me what I wanted him to do. Learning from my previous mistake, I said nothing. Later on, he emailed me offering a tooth whitening kit as a consolation at our next checkup. While I appreciate the gesture, white teeth does not make up for lost tooth structure. I will not be returning to Dr Lu's practice in the future. All in all, I can not recommend Dr Lu or any orthodontist who performs equilibration. - AE read more

I was first recommended to Dr. Lu for braces by my oral surgeon, who couldn't perform surgery in removing a tooth that had never grown and and was therefore, stuck underneath the surface of my gum without running the risk of touching one of my nerves and causing facial paralysis. Thus, I was told that braces were my best option before risking surgery and my whole life, I have been afraid to even consider the possibility of getting braces, having heard horror stories from previous family members and friends about their negative experiences. This overwhelming fear is what prevented me from even consulting with an orthodontist in the past. With Dr. Lu, however, there was only ever positive experiences and he alleviated my fears instantly. He is a very patient and kind professional, who made sure each and every individual who came to his office would have their questions answered and would instruct them very thoroughly on what steps to take every month to care and attend to their teeth in the best way. I'm extremely satisfied and happy with the stellar quality of service Dr. Lu provides all of his patients. The office itself is very pristine and well taken care of and managed by talented and organized staff and they are always willing to accommodate your schedule and your needs. One day, when a piece of my rubber wiring came loose and was hurting me badly, I called to ask if I could come in as soon as I possibly could and even though they were closed that day, they had someone come into the office just to help me. That alone exemplifies the kind spirited people who inhabit that office! Dr. Lu will not disappoint, with his technologically advanced approach to braces and he will try to have you wearing them for as little time as needed while still being meticulous and making double, triple sure everything is perfect before recommending to take them off. I was always well taken care of here and definitely recommend Dr. Lu to anyone who is afraid of getting braces on and needs very gentle guidance and care and someone who definitely knows what they are doing every step of the way and will make the effort to keep you updated as to what he is doing. read more

I came to know Dr. Lu thanks to a friend. My friend's niece got the treatment from Dr. Lu's office in Flushing and liked him a lot. But that was not enough to make me make the decision since the treatment would be permanent and I could not reverse the results. Hence, I researched a lot including visiting a few other orthodontists and read the reviews online. Most of the reviews indicate Dr. Lu was very kind and patient whenever patients had questions or concerns. However, one review caught my attention and bothered me a lot. Apparently, the reviewer was not happy with the results and questioned that Dr. Lu's did not give her an appropriate treatment. I was shocked at the very beginning and then I tried to calm down and think logically. After consulting with other orthodontists, I had better understanding about my situations. Dr. Lu proposed a very common treatment plan just as his peer did. Plus, his office in Chinatown opens till 6 during weekdays and is not far away from where I work. I decided to have Dr. Lu handle my case. It has been almost 2 years and I am able to have the braces removed. I feel blessed that I went to Dr. Lu's office. He has been amazing! As the reviews showed, he listened to every concern I had and explained once and once again to me. I know some doctors can be rude after patients keep asking the same questions many times. But Dr. Lu never lost his patience. I am also happy about how my teeth look like now. I think what Dr. Lu had done is perfect and I should have gone to him earlier. Besides, his staff is impressive too. They have a dedicated person, Jennifer, taking care of the insurance claims so that I did not need to worry about anything. All I had to do was to wait for them to send me the check. So far, I have referred Dr. Lu to a coworker of mine. She was also happy with the consultation and decided to have Dr. Lu take her case. I hope my experience is helpful for you to decide! Good luck! read more

My son had consultation with Dr. Lu last month and we felt very comfortable with the doctor, his office and staff. The office is modern and clean. Upon arrival, the receptionist greeted us with a warm and very friendly smile unlike many other doctor's offices we've been to. After filling out a simple patient information, we were immediately taken inside the consultation room, and Dr. Lu came in within few minutes to greet us and gave my son a detailed exam. He then informed us briefly about the treatment needed and the payment plan and answered all our questions personally. Dr. Lu is very sincere, professional and friendly. After seeing 3 other orthodontists, both my son and I decided to start treatment at Dr. Lu's office. Our decision was mainly based on 3 points: the doctor's expertise and professionalism, the staff friendliness, and the office technology. And I give them 5 star for all. I called to schedule an appointment to start my son's treatment and once again the receptionist was very helpful and friendly, and we were able to get an appointment the very next day on a Saturday to get my son's braces put on. Although the office was busy and the waiting room was filled with people on Saturday, the entire office team seemed very efficient and we didn't have to wait long. The staff are very well trained and friendly, and they gave my son some detailed instructions and answered our questions after the doctor put braces on. It's been more than two weeks now since my son got his braces and he is doing completely fine without any discomfort. He is already looking forward to his next follow up appointment to get his teeth straighter. Now I am thinking about getting Invisalign treatment done meself as well. read more

Ever since i was younger i always had two different bites, and underbite and a straight bite. Going to countless amount of different dentist offices, one in particular suggested that i go to Columbia Orthodontics which is now known as Newsmile Orthodontics. Boy, i couldn't be any more thankful for that reference. I first came in the 6th grade, got my consultation and just had to wait for my insurance to approve, although it took a while, and i became lazy i came back two years later. Everything was taken care of instantly. Their service is extremely quick and quite efficient with the many different dentists in the office taking care of different jobs. I never found myself complaining about anyone's service and the receptionists were ALWAYS kind and welcoming. Let me tell you that my smile and my teeth were TERRIBLE, but after 3 years of the best treatment, i finally have a PERFECT smile. I must thank both Drs for that. I wish I can post a before and after picture to just show you how well the braces worked for me. When it comes to discussing certain procedures, they are always thorough and they are very patient. They offer so many more alternatives to just the metal braces, it's all up to you on what you're more comfortable with. Even cosmetic appliances such as whitening is also offered, you just have to ask about it, it's that simple. I cannot be any more happier with my smile now thanks to everyone here, honestly i just cannot stop cheesing and smiling. Honestly, i think this would be the BEST place to go to get your ideal of a perfect smile and no place else. Organized, efficient, and THE BEST. Thank you Newsmile Orthodontics! read more

Both my son and I are patients of Dr. Lu. My son has braces and I have Invisalign treatment. We are very happy with our overall treatment experience and treatment result. We are both completely thrilled with our new smile and straight teeth. Before my son got his braces, I took him to two other orthodontists and we were told that my son needed to have 4 teeth removed for his orthodontic treatment. When we saw Dr. Lu, he decided that since my son's face is not very protrusive and is considered to be normal within Asian community, he informed us that it would be a borderline case for teeth extraction. Dr. Lu suggested that we started the treatment without removing any teeth and aligned them first. He did inform us however that once my son's teeth are aligned, he would reevaluate for teeth removal only if necessary. After 9 months of treatment we were completely amazed how nice and straight my son's teeth turned out to be. Dr. Lu was able to maintain my son's face profile, and of course we chose not to remove any teeth. We really appreciated Dr. Lu's thoughtful consideration and the fact that he was able to save my son's teeth and still provided him with a great smile. I remember Dr. Lu once said he treats his patients the way he wants his family be treated so if teeth don't need to be removed he would treat the case conservatively. I can tell it is this simple philosophy that brings him many patients and I can see he really cares about his patients. Dr. Lu is very personable and professional. I highly recommend his office and I have no reservation to refer all my relatives and friends to him. I definitely give him a 5 star. read more

i have always wanted to get my teeth straight but didn't think i could deal with having braces at my age. i was recommended by my friend to see doctor lu. after discussing my problems and concerns, we did a thorough exam and he informed me of the different treatment options. he explained to me the difference between conventional braces, lingual braces, and invisalign. he was quite honest about the pros and cons of each so i kneww exactly what to expect as an outcome. i ended up having Invisalign, knowing the result may not be 100% perfect in my case, but my main concern and problem would be corrected. the reason i chose this office over others, besides the reasonable treatment fee, is that the doctor is very well trained at what he does and has many years of experience. he is also very understanding and caring; listening to my problems and concerns and taking the time to answer all my questions. since i live in queens and work in downtown manhattan, it's so convenient for me to go to either of the 2 locations. the reason why i really recommend columbia orthodontics is that the office is very professional and honest. after i left the office the second visit, the doctor had his assistant contact me and let me know that i overpaid $300. i was complete unaware of this and they refunded me in full. thanks so much for your honesty! read more

I would recommend Newsmile Orthodontist to anyone looking to have the smile of their dreams. It's unfortunate I couldn't post a picture of my journey for you all to see for yourselves I have been an patient with Dr. Frank Lu for the last 2 1/5 years and enjoy every month I go to his office. Every visit put me one step closer towards my perfect smile. His office was so accommodating with my schedule. I often missed appointments due to sudden changes in my personal life but he was always willing to schedule me in, even with a full schedule. When I began my journey it started with the consultation process. He took his time to explain my case to me. He personalized my case and helped me embrace this new journey especially feeling insecure about completing a process that should have happened as a teenager. I find that Dr. Lu takes time to explain all the procedures. He explains all the pros and cons of the treatment so that I can make an independent decision. His staff is also extremely helpful. Dr. Lu has a great rapport with his assistant and my general dentist who referred me to him and they work very well together. I Am so happy to to have been a patient of Dr. Lu. I smile all day everyday and I have him to thank for my confidence and radiant smile. read more

My 12-year old daughter goes there and we (my husband, my 12-year old daughter, her younger sister and I) are all happy with the treatment and the way they run the office. I myself wore braces and I remember it as a very painful experience, however, since the first treatment my daughter had last November, she has never complained and it seems she is very comfortable. The office is rather new and kept very clean and nice. Another great thing is that in the waiting room, there's a PlayStation and TV that always plays Nickelodeon to entertain kids, which my younger daughter enjoys while she waits for her sister. As you can tell, this really helps parents! Also, waiting time there is minimal. Since my husband and I both work, we can only take our daughter there on Saturdays, which is their busiest day, however, so far she's been called to the treatment room within 5 - 10 minutes. This is a refreshing experience, after having had to wait for hours at different doctors' offices. Seems like many things are computerized including the reservations, patients' check-ins and waiting time, etc.. I love the efficiency. The doctors are nice and great with kids, and the ladies at the front desk are pleasant, too. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Intertwined with my high school life have been my visits to Newsmile Orthodontics. For my underbite, I've had numerous appointments over the course of 3 years. My braces now removed, I can say that my experience has been satisfying. Besides the occasional indifferent receptionist, all of the staff have been accommodating and considerate. For example, I remember one instance where I had come out from my checkup, only realizing after the fact that my wire was somewhat prodding my cheek. Not wanting to deal with this for several weeks, I went back on line to ask and the receptionist warmly told me to come back in. She personally clipped the wire and the matter was handled quickly. I primarily dealt with Dr. Lai, who was very willing to deal with any questions or concerns. During the process of checkups, there would always be an accompanying explanation. Never did I feel worried, lost, or afraid to ask. For me, at the least, the quality of care was gratifying. The only qualm that I really had was the occasionally long waiting times, but I think that's largely justified by the thorough procedure and the bustle is a testament to the standard. read more

I had braces on for the first time at Newsmile Orthodontics and was treated by Dr. Lu at the Chinatown location. They were very thorough with the whole process from beginning to the end. They kept me informed about my situation along with what the next treatment is going to be. They kept organized records of the progress with pictures and notes. Dr. Lu made accurate predictions on when I can take my braces off. Everyone there is friendly and professional. They are willing to help even if I had to change appointment times. I rarely had to wait for a long time at the Chinatown location even if I go on a Sunday. Dr. Lu is very professional. He made sure I was comfortable with my braces before I leave after each visit. There were several times when I broke my braces and he patiently fixed it for me each time and even added stronger attachments to make sure it doesn't hinder my process. I have had braces on for about three years before taking it off. I am currently wearing retainers at night. I took my braces off more than half a year ago and my teeth are very stable. I am happy with my treatment there. read more

I stumbled upon Newsmile Orthodontics and Dr. Lu through a famous youtuber named Mikey Chen after he did a video on his Invisalign experience. I consulted with multiple Orthodontists before Dr. Lu and out of all my consultations, Dr. Lu was the most thorough with the explanation of how Invisalign works and the costs for treatment even though he has limited time to explain between patients. After wearing my Invisalign trays religiously for 10 months, I can say I now love my smile! Newsmile Orthodontics' facilities are very modern/clean and everyone is mostly very friendly and professional. Be aware that the Flushing office gets very busy, especially on weekends, and if you are late to your appointment then expect to wait 30+ minutes for them to accommodate and fit you in between patients. Otherwise, Dr. Lu is very patient when he addressed my concerns during and after treatment. I would recommend anyone thinking about getting braces to at least go for a consultation and meet Dr. Lu to see if he meets your standards! read more

When I first realized I needed braces, it took me a while to find the right place for my teeth. I came across this place with recommendations from my friends and my parents' colleagues. I chose the Manhattan location because it was more convenient, however, it did not disappoint. Dr. Lu was my orthodontist for the whole process and he did an excellent job in keeping my confidence at a high level with my teeth. He answered all my questions and was extremely clear in telling me about my next steps each month. He is extremely careful and methodical and takes his time with each client. After a year, I was extremely satisfied with the outcome of my teeth even though it took a little over than two years. The equipment and atmosphere are extremely up to date and welcoming. The staff is also amazing as they handle appointments and clients very well. Wait times are very short if you come on time, which is very handy. Overall, for the Manhattan location, I think Dr. Lu is amazing and would highly recommend him. read more

I'm submitting the review the 2nd time since my last review was filtered out which I think is unfair to Dr. Lu. It seemed positive reviews were easier to get filtered out. Since my last review, myself has planned to do orthodontics treatment, although I'm a mid-age adult , why not to take advantage of the good benefit that insurance provided and make you smile. On the 1st consultant, by looking at my x-ray, Dr. Lu immediately came up two treatments plans, explains the pros and cons, I chose the mild one - I would had chosen the other plan if I were teenager which I think will give you an even prettier outlook. So far my daughter never complains about the treatment, Dr. Lu posses a tender loving personality as well as gentle skills; both doctors in Columbia Orthodontics are skillful, caring and patient, the office is clean and equipped with state of the art instruments. I don't know in the past, but right now the front desk receptionist is very polite and professional. read more

I was always hesitating to get braces. Some of my friends had them on for over 3 years, and I wasn't sure I wanted to deal with such a hassle. But after a free consultation (Columbia Orthodontics offers a free first-time consultation) with Dr. Frank Lu, he told me that I would have to wear them for roughly 18 months. Sure enough, almost exactly 18 months later, my braces came off. I am very pleased with the results. The large gaps that once separated my teeth are gone, and I feel much more comfortable smiling around others. Dr. Lu is knowledgeable, honest, and professional, and he made the process of getting and wearing braces straightforward and easy to understand. The staff is attentive, and there is someone there every day in case of any sort of emergency that cannot wait until the next appointment. I'm glad I found Columbia Orthodontics and have already recommended it to a few of my friends. If you're looking to get braces, this is the place to go to. read more

I recommend Newsmile Orthodontics with Dr. Lu to anyone, child or adult, if they are looking for a confident new smile. I walked into Dr. Lu's office two years ago for a consultation for my slightly protruded upper jaw and imperfect smile that affected my self-confidence. The office was clean and modern, and the staff was helpful and professional. I always appreciated the staff reminding me of my upcoming appointment one day in advance. Dr. Lu was very knowledgeable as he took the time to examine my case and was transparent when explaining treatment options and outcome expectations. I felt that he genuinely cared about my case, and I was not wrong; although having metal braces was not the most comfortable, Dr. Lu has treated my case with care and precision, making it the best possible experience during my two-year journey. I feel more confident smiling now that my braces are off! I sincerely recommend Dr. Lu to anyone planning on getting braces. read more

I had always wanted to get braces because I felt my front teeth were sticking out too much. My parents were a little skeptical about what braces can do to help to improve the appearance of my teeth, but after they saw how my friends' teeth have changed because of their braces treatments, they agreed to take me to an orthodontist. I found this office through strong recommendations from my friends who were very satisfied with the results of their teeth. I'm just so glad I made the decision to go there. The doctors are very professional and the staff are friendly. I always feel very comfortable during my visits. They also take a lot of precautions to protect everyone from Covid. What makes me the happiest is that I already see dramatic changes in my teeth being only a few months of treatment! They took out 4 of my teeth to make room to move the front teeth back. I can't wait to see how my teeth will turn out when it's all finished! read more

I must admit that I was skeptical when I had to think about getting braces as an adult, let along a jaw surgery. Dr. Frank Lu made it happen and it was everything what I asked for plus more. The facility is a clean and warm environment with friendly staff. If you had any insurance questions, Jeniffer is the go to person at the front desk. All the equipments are new and the waiting room is spacious and cozy. I must have gone through 3 different orthodontics before I finally decided to go with Dr. Lu, simply because that he's professional and he's genuine. He took his time with me at every appointment and provided me with updates on the progress. From the preparation of surgery to post surgical recovery, as an orthodontics he was there very step of the way. He had a great communication with me so I never caught myself with any surprises. All and all, I'd recommend patients of ALL ages to a true professional! read more

We are loyal customers of both Dr. Lu and Dr. Lai at Newsmile. My 3 kids all have their orthodontics done successfully with utmost satisfaction by Dr. Lu and Dr. Lai. Both doctors were extremely caring and patient, and they took their time explaining everything in detail to me and my kids. I ended up being a patient myself under Dr. Lai, who helped me perform an Invisalign ortho. I had previously performed an orthodontic treatment about 20 years ago but some of the teeth have regressed back to the old position. Dr. Lai worked diligently on my case, analyzed all possible treatment options, and took care of my teeth with exceptional care and precision. Dr. Lai is extremely professional and she will not settle for partial results. In the end, I had the best orthodontics job I could ever imagine, with a proud smile on my face. I highly recommend Newsmile Orthodontics to anyone who wants a great treatment! read more