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A brief intro about braces
Dental conditions that you can treat with braces
The pros and advantages of taking up braces treatment
A comparison of braces vs Invisalign clear aligners
The breakdown of costs for braces treatment
Commonly asked questions about braces
About Braces
What are braces?
Braces are often used in both general and cosmetic dentistry to correct crooked or misaligned teeth. It is a common alternative to Invisalign (clear aligners) treatment.
The treatment process involves the use of brackets, wires and modules to correct the position and alignment of teeth.
Braces can be used to enhance your physical appearance or as a tool to improve your oral health.
Detailed braces treatment process with Dr Amanda Koh
The following is a step-by-step braces patient journey to help you kickstart your braces treatment journey.
1st consultation
You will begin your braces treatment journey with an initial consultation.
During the 1st consultation (20-30 minutes), I will evaluate your requirements and address any concerns you may have.
This involves conducting an oral examination, and taking X-ray scans.
I will also capture your dental and facial profiles for diagnostic purposes.
Treatment plan
On the 2nd consultation, I will go over your diagnostic records with you, discussing your dental condition as well as the available treatment options, costs involved, and expected duration of treatment.
Braces treatment begins
I will begin fitting your braces to kickstart your braces treatment.
During the fitting of the braces, I will provide you with detailed information on:
- How to better care for your braces;
- How to maintain your oral hygiene while on braces;
- The frequency at which you will have to have follow up visits with me; and
- Your dietary restrictions and recommendations when on braces treatment.
All these information will help you achieve the best possible outcome for your braces treatment.
Follow-up visits
You will have to visit me every 4 weeks to allow me to check on the progress of your braces treatment and make necessary adjustments to your braces.
Braces treatment completion
Braces treatment usually takes about 12 - 18 months to completion.
When you have completed your treatment, I will remove your braces. A set of retainers will be given to you to help you retain your new smile.
Why do braces treatment with Dr Amanda Koh
Dedicated orthodontics and cosmetic dentist
Getting your braces treatment with me means receiving treatment from a dentist who works exclusively on orthodontic dental cases on a daily basis.
I am deeply familiar with working with both simple and complex orthodontic cases to improve function and dental aesthetics.
Modern and ethical dentistry done with your requirements in mind
When you receive treatment from me, I prioritise your immediate needs and requirements. This includes making sure that your treatment is as comfortable and seamless as possible.
I leverage digital dentistry to improve patient experiences. This strategy includes employing the iTero scanner for 3D teeth modeling, replacing conventional molds.
Additionally, digital X-ray systems emit reduced radiation and deliver instant results.
What dental conditions can braces treat?
Overcrowding
Overcrowding occurs when there is not enough space in your jaw for your teeth to align properly.
This can lead to teeth clustering, overlapping, twisting, or being pushed forward or backward.
Overjet
An extreme overjet, commonly referred to as buck teeth, occurs when your upper front teeth protrude too far horizontally beyond your lower front teeth.
It is important to note that there is a difference between an overbite, where the upper teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower teeth and jaw extend forward, positioning them in front of the upper teeth.
In more severe instances, this misalignment can lead to issues with chewing food or difficulties in speech.
Crossbite
A crossbite refers to a situation where certain upper teeth are positioned behind the lower teeth.
This alignment issue can result in irregular tooth wear and potential chipping.
Open Bite
An open bite occurs when your upper and lower teeth fail to make contact when your mouth is closed.
This condition can impact your appearance and lead to speech difficulties such as developing a lisp.
Spacing
Spacing refers to the presence of gaps between two or more of your teeth.
This condition can contribute to speech challenges and make it easy for food to become lodged between teeth.
Advantages of Braces
What are the benefits of braces?
Efficient and effective teeth straightening
Braces are able to help align teeth quickly and effectively.
While they might not be as discreet as Invisalign clear aligners, braces are able to correct severe malocclusions.
Improves speech
Misaligned teeth can have a significant impact on your speech. When your teeth is misaligned, it can cause lisping, making it difficult to pronounce words clearly.
This is because mispositioned teeth restrict the movement of the tongue and limit its ability to form words properly.
With orthodontic treatment, you can overcome these speech difficulties.
During your initial consultation, your dentist or orthodontist will assess the misalignment of your teeth and create a personalized treatment plan to adjust your teeth into a healthy, ideal position.
This will not only improve the alignment of your teeth but also resolve speech difficulties related to tooth misalignment, allowing you to speak with clarity and confidence.
Improves your overall oral hygiene
Crooked teeth can make oral hygiene a bigger challenge.
The overlapping of teeth creates tight spaces that are hard to clean, allowing food particles to get stuck and plaque to build up. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
With dental braces, you can say goodbye to these issues. By straightening your teeth, you will be able to easily clean areas that were previously hard to reach, allowing you to maintain a healthier, cleaner smile.
You will also be able to brush, floss, and clean your teeth with ease, leading to improved oral health and a reduced risk of oral problems.
Reduces risk of damaged teeth
Misaligned teeth can cause more than just aesthetic issues.
They can also lead to discomfort and pain as they rub against each other, causing pressure and soreness in the jaw and teeth.
This can result in erosion of the enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay and other serious problems.
To address these issues, dental braces can reposition your teeth to a healthy position, preventing grinding and protecting your teeth from damage.
Braces vs Invisalign comparison
If you are considering between traditional braces and Invisalign (invisible braces), here is a quick breakdown of what to expect from each treatment option.
Braces
Invisalign
Price Range
$3,500 – $7,500
$3,500 – $9,800
Material Used
Made of either metal or ceramic with wires, brackets and elastics.
Clear plastic that is made from SmartTrack – proprietary material – that allows for greater comfort.
Treatment
Follow-up Visits
Every 4 weeks
Every 6 – 8 weeks
Treatment Duration
12 – 36 months
9 – 24 months
Treatment Effectiveness
Able to treat mild to severe teeth misalignment. Suitable for patients who have severe malocclusions.
Suitable for patients with mild to moderate malocclusions.
Key Features of Braces
Why choose braces over Invisalign?
Able to correct more severe maloccusion
One of the key factors why you should choose braces over Invisalign is its effectiveness and ability to correct more severe instances of malocclusion.
While both braces and Invisalign clear aligners are able to treat teeth misalignment issues, braces are typically more effective in correcting serious bite misalignment and gaps between teeth.
More affordable treatment
Braces treatment are typically more affordable than Invisalign.
While in recent years, the cost of Invisalign has gone down, most dental clinics continue to charge a slight premium on Invisalign treatment.
Does not require as much discipline as with Invisalign
The removable nature of Invisalign aligners can be both a blessing and a curse.
While it can be convenient to take Invisalign clear aligners out for meals and oral hygiene, it becomes crucial to develop a disciplined routine to ensure you put them back in place.
Failure to do so can lead to inconsistent wear, with the aligners not being worn for the required 22 hours a day.
Braces, on the other hand does not require such compliance. It is possible to produce optimal results simply by visiting your dentist for follow-up treatment on time.
More convenient when eating and drinking
With braces, you do not need to remove your braces before eating or drinking.
You also do not have to brush and floss your teeth immediately after eating or drinking.
However, when it comes to Invisalign treatment, there are certain guidelines to follow to ensure optimal results.
Before consuming food or drinks other than water, you’ll need to remove your aligners.
Before re-inserting your aligners, you will have to brush your teeth to remove any food particles that can hinder tooth movement and potentially cause staining.
In addition, neglecting to clean your teeth can lead to an increased risk of cavities and bad breath.
How much do braces really cost?
Braces treatment with me starts from $3,500 onwards, depending on your current oral health and complexity of treatment. You can view a clear breakdown of your treatment fees on my treatment fees page.
Book a $19.60 consultation with me to do an in-depth examination and assessment of your teeth. This examination helps determine whether you are suitable for braces, and assess the estimated required duration of treatment you would require.
Traditional Metal Braces (1st Generation)
Cost Range
$3,500 - $4,500
Initial Downpayment
$800
Traditional Ceramic Braces (1st Generation)
Cost Range
$4,500 - $5,500
Initial Downpayment
$1,000
Self-Ligating Metal Braces (2nd Generation)
Cost Range
$5,500 - $6,500
Initial Downpayment
$1,200
Self-Ligating Ceramic Braces (2nd Generation)
Cost Range
$6,500 - $7,500
Initial Downpayment
$1,500
Types of braces available in Singapore
Traditional metal braces (1st Generation)
Conventional metal braces with metal brackets, elastic modules, and arch wire.
- 12 - 36 months treatment duration
Traditional ceramic braces (1st Generation)
Tooth-coloured ceramic braces that are less visible on teeth. Has metal brackets, elastic modules and arch wire.
- 12 - 36 months treatment duration
Self-ligating metal braces (1st Generation)
Has a door mechanism to hold wires. Does not have elastics. Less friction and tension on wires.
- 12 - 24 months treatment duration
Self-ligating ceramic braces (2nd Generation)
Similar to self-ligating metal braces but with a tooth-coloured appearance. Discreet and comfortable to wear.
- 18 - 36 months treatment duration
Lingual braces
Fixed on the inside of teeth. Hidden from sight. Discreet braces option.
- 18 - 36 months treatment duration
Invisible braces
Also known as clear aligners. Discreet option preferred by working adults.
- 18 - 36 months treatment duration
Braces queries answered
Looking to find out more about braces treatment before proceeding to a dentist with expertise in braces or an orthodontist? Here are some commonly asked questions that you might be looking for answers for.
You will typically have to wear braces for at least 12 months depending on your current oral condition and orthodontic complexity.
Cosmetic dental services that I can help you with
Starting a new journey can be scary. As a dentist focused on cosmetic dentistry, I am ready to help you navigate all your required treatments – easily.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Improves overall appearance of teeth and smile with a variety of techniques such as braces, clear aligners, crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, bridges, gum reshaping or a smile makeover.
Gum Contouring
Remove excess tissue and reshape your gum line.
Invisalign
Correct the alignment of your teeth discreetly without any brackets or wires. Suitable for working adults.
Braces
A safe and efficient way of correcting the alignment of your teeth and bite. Pushes your teeth into the desired position.
Smile Makeover
Improves your smile by taking into consideration your facial structure, your hair color, skin, tone, teeth, gum tissue and other factors. A comprehensive makeover.
Teeth Whitening
Safe and effective teeth whitening that lightens teeth and removes discolouration and stains caused by coffee, wine, smoking or other factors.
About Me
Dr Amanda Koh: The Invisalign dentist
I created this website earlier this year to help my patients and you discover better ways to improve your smile.
My core interests are in helping you achieve the smile of your dreams with Invisalign and braces. If you would like to find out more about me, please check out my About page, or drop me a message.