Having straight teeth adds to brighten up one’s smile. Some people are lucky to have a set of teeth that is naturally straight. You, on the other hand, might belong to a chosen few whose dental profile is quite a bit small to accommodate all of your teeth, resulting to crooked teeth.
You are in the right place as this article discusses everything you need to know about how to get braces in Singapore.
What is braces treatment?
Braces treatment is a procedure done to correct problems concerning the teeth. The benefits of this procedure are more than just aesthetic. It also helps improve the oral health of a person. Teeth and gum problems corrected by braces treatment are the following:
- Incorrect position of the jaw
- Disorders concerning the joints of the jaw
- Misalignment of teeth
- Overbite
- Teeth crowding
- Underbite
What are the different types of braces?
Gone are the days when the only choice for braces can earn you the nickname “metal mouth.” Fortunately, there are now more options available for braces. These include:
- Ceramic Braces
- Clear Aligners
- Lingual Braces
- Metal Braces
Let’s take a look at each type closely.
Ceramic Braces
You may notice some people who wear braces that look like metal ones but are barely noticeable. These are ceramic braces.
Ceramic braces are much delicate as compared to due metal braces to the materials used. Extra care is needed for the teeth, especially when eating and cleaning. This type of braces is also less obvious as their brackets’ colour blend in when attached to the teeth. There is no need to worry about staining the braces when drinking or eating tinted food and drinks as the ceramic is not prone to discolouration. The elastic ties, however, are not exempted to this.
Consistent dental maintenance is needed to do adjustments to the braces. Your dentist will need to change or tighten the elastic ties attached to the braces that work to move the teeth and align them accordingly. Because they need more upkeep than metal, the cost of ceramic is also much expensive.
Clear Aligners
A lot of social media influencers today are turning to clear braces to straighten their teeth. The major reason for this is its aesthetic composition. This type of braces is barely noticeable when used. Flashing your pearly whites for photos won’t embarrass you with teeth looking like they are behind grills.
The most popular among all brands of clear aligners in Singapore is Invisalign. This treatment uses sets of transparent aligners that are customized according to a patient’s dental profile. Complete treatment can consist of 18 to a maximum of 30 sets of aligners. A set of the clear aligner is made up of two transparent braces that are attached to the upper and lower part of the teeth, similar to mouth guards used by boxing athletes.
The clear aligners are used daily for at least 20 to 22 hours for two weeks before proceeding to the next set. The teeth gradually straighten as the treatment progresses to use the succeeding sets of aligners. Clear aligners are simple to use and make eating as well as cleaning the teeth easier to do as they can be removed.
Lingual Braces
Aside from clear aligners, lingual braces also seem invisible as they are installed at the back of the teeth. Complicated cases are not addressed by this type of braces. Talking can be difficult since the braces are stuck to the back of the teeth, making it a challenge for the tongue to move about. Likewise, the tongue may be prone to injury. Lingual braces are chosen least among all the available braces options in Singapore because of these reasons. On top of that, they are much more expensive than metal and ceramic braces.
Metal Braces
The most common and popular choice among all braces treatment belongs to the metal braces. This type of braces is the pioneer in teeth straightening. They are also the cheapest and most reliable when it comes to complicated cases. It has also evolved through the years and the latest ones are smaller compared to those used in the earlier days.
Metal wires and brackets are attached to the teeth to commence alignment. Gradually, these get tightened by the doctor to progress the movement and correct placement of the teeth. Metal braces can also be customized through coloured brackets. Monthly maintenance is also needed for metal braces.
Below is a table that summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the 4 types of braces:
|
Type of Braces |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Approximate Cost |
|
Ceramic Braces |
|
|
|
|
Clear Aligners |
|
|
|
|
Lingual Braces |
|
|
|
|
Metal Braces |
|
|
|
Can Medisave be used to cover the costs for braces treatment?
Medisave only covers surgical procedures. Since braces treatments do not fall under this category, they are not covered by Medisave.
Can dental insurances cover the costs for braces treatment?
In some rare instances, dental insurances may cover some costs of braces treatment done by polyclinic dentists as long as the treatment can be justified as a need to address health problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and speech difficulty. Otherwise, dental insurances do not cover any type of braces because they fall under cosmetic procedures.
Where can you go to get your braces done in Singapore?
Orthodontists and general dentists can do your braces treatment. Do note that orthodontists may charge higher as they have undergone an additional 3 years of training on the biomechanics of tooth movement.
You can inquire from the dental clinics regarding their payment options prior to your procedure. Some may require a down payment of half of the total cost on the day of your procedure with the rest of the payment done during your succeeding visits to the clinic. On the other hand, monthly instalments are offered by other clinics.
If budget is your concern, The NUS Post Graduate Orthodontic Clinic’s post-graduate orthodontic students can get your braces requirement. This is done under the supervision of their professors. Excluding x-rays and extractions, the cost of this treatment at NUS is fixed at $2,800.
