So, after all those years you still have not decided to get your teeth fixed, despite the heavy longing of looking more attractive in photos while flashing the perfect smile. No thanks to the horror stories you have heard about the pain that comes with using dental braces to get those crooked teeth lined up properly. But, as the popular saying goes: No pain, no gain.
If you are one of those who want to achieve a set of straight teeth to improve their physical appearance, but wish there was another route to take aside from dental braces, a wonderful option is Invisalign to Straighten Teeth Without Wires. Sometimes all it takes is to be appropriately informed about the facts and processes involved in certain procedures for people to be able to make a decision and choose a way that would make their lives a whole lot better.
This article lists the basics about getting teeth braces in Singapore as it’s described on Dentaleh in the hopes that, by the end of the write up, you are convinced that it is time to book that appointment with your trusted dental professional to begin your journey to your desired smile and a healthier life. Read on.
Braces 101: Definition
Dental braces refer to a set of orthodontic tool comprised of flexible wires, tiny brackets, and small elastic bands that are fixed together, fastened to the teeth and tightened. These wires and brackets work to put pressure to each tooth and works to steer them towards the direction in which they are aligned properly.
Braces Basics: Other things you should know
- The benefits of using braces go beyond just achieving straight and aesthetically pleasing teeth.
Aligning the teeth accordingly is not the only benefit that one can get after successfully completing a treatment using dental braces. This dental tool can also fix the jaw’s alignment and other conditions that can cause problems to a person’s oral health. By having straighter teeth, a person can easily brush and clean the teeth, which can prevent plaque formation or infections caused by bacteria. Aside from these, having straighter teeth can likewise boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem. A person can now confidently flash a smile without being conscious about how their teeth look like.
- A dentist or an orthodontist can do your dental braces.
Either a dentist or an orthodontist can perform the procedure of attaching dental braces to a patient’s teeth. Dentists can only do simple alignment for the teeth using dental braces. If, during the assessment, your dentist notes that your case needs additional dental work that they are not able to perform to give remedy to other issues present prior to getting the dental braces, then you may be referred to an orthodontist. Orthodontists are licensed dentists that specialise in treating dental conditions like complex teeth and bite problems, misaligned jaw, teeth that extremely spaced apart, crooked, or crowded teeth.
- You will not wear braces forever.
Sometimes it feels like people wear braces forever. This is not the case. The duration of wearing braces differ from person to person. A major factor to consider is the complexity of the patient’s condition. The number of years that braces can be worn ranges from at least a year to 3 years at most. After successfully completing the years required, the braces will be removed and be replaced by teeth retainers. Retainers work to keep your newly aligned teeth in place for the next 6 months and then every time you sleep after that. It is important that you continue to wear your braces as advised by your dentist or orthodontist to prevent the teeth from misaligning again. There are a lot of great online retainers that you can look into as well.
- Other choices are out in the market for patients to choose from aside from traditional braces.
Traditional braces can appear unsightly as they can make you appear like you barbs inside your mouth. Good news! There are dental braces available right now that looks as if you are not wearing any appliance at all! You can choose among the following:
- Ceramic braces – This type of braces still use wires, but the brackets are the key to the semi-invisibility of the device. Brackets used for this kind of braces are formed from tooth-coloured ceramic, which camouflage themselves when attached to the teeth.
- Clear aligners – If you fancy braces that do not cling to your pearly whites 24/7, then the dental stars point to clear aligners. These light weight, invisible, and removable braces are made from plastic. Eating, drinking, and practicing good oral care is easier as the aligners can be removed. They may not need to be glued to your teeth for 24 hours, but they should be on for 22 hours every day to perform their straightening magic.
- Lingual braces – These are basically traditional braces that are fixed at the back of the teeth to keep them hidden from people’s view.
- Braces are painful.
We are not sugar coating this fact. Braces are painful because they use force to move the teeth and adjust the placement of your jaw, if needed. The pain usually is at peak right after the braces are adjusted. You can expect these adjustments to be done monthly or in intervals of a few months, depending on your orthodontist’s recommendation. If the pain is intolerable, you may ask your orthodontist to give you medication to manage the discomfort. You can also apply cold compress to numb the pain. The pain should not extend for a long period of time. If it does, let your orthodontist know so they can address the concern and relieve you of unnecessary aches.
- Dental braces are costly.
Be prepared to spend roughly $3,000 to $7,000 for your dental braces. Do note that there is a stark difference in costs when choosing clear aligners over traditional braces. Clear aligners cost more because it uses a more advanced technology to be able to produce the treatment plan and also the complete sets of aligners needed. The total cost of your treatment is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the type of braces you are getting, the duration of your treatment, any additional dental work needed, and your orthodontist’s fees. Some dental clinics offer different ways of payments to ease the financial burden on patients.
