Getting Braces? Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes!

Excited about getting dental braces to straighten your crooked or misaligned teeth? Braces are great, but don’t rush into it! Before you decide and start on a braces treatment in Singapore, you should be fully informed about the costs involved, effort needed, length of treatment and braces that are recommended to you, to allow you to make your best choice. Getting braces is a significant commitment, so you definitely want to make sure that you know what you are doing before you get into it. Here, we share the 5 most common mistakes that new users make when getting braces, so that you can avoid making those mistakes yourself!

1. Not looking up all the braces options available to you

Traditional metal braces with coloured elastic bands were once the most common type of braces worn in Singapore, but they are not the only option anymore! The many braces technologies available today allows you to choose the most suitable and comfortable option for you and your lifestyle – Damon ceramic self-ligating braces, Incognito lingual braces, and Invisalign removable clear aligners are some of the different braces solutions available to you. 

Damon Ceramic braces, for instance, use clear brackets that blend in with your teeth and are a great fit for adults who want seamless fixed braces. Invisalign clear aligners are transparent and can be removed to enjoy your meals and on special occasions, while Incognito lingual braces fit onto the back (not front) of your teeth so that they cannot be seen by others. Altogether, exploring the various braces options available and talking about them with your orthodontist will help you to make the best choice for what’s going onto your teeth for the next one to three years!

2. Not finding out the full costs and services involved

Braces cost an average of about S$3,700 to S$7,700 in Singapore, depending on the complexity of your case and how long your treatment is. As Incognito lingual braces are 100% custom made and gold coated brackets, the cost is easily ranging from $14,000 onwards.

Patients are usually charged a consultation fee for the first consultation with the orthodontist, then treatment plan options will be discussed and the pros and cons of each option examined together with you. The treatment coordinator will share with you the estimated treatment time, timeline and the estimated total price of the full braces treatment. Usually there will be instalment plans depending on the material and total cost.

You can use Baby Bonus for kids and siblings, Medisave or Insurance as the accepted payment modes.

Check what services are included in this cost. For example, if your bracket comes loose or there is a problem with your braces, will you have to pay additional costs? Is monthly cleaning included in what you are paying for? Ask your orthodontist to lay out the full costs and let you know what services are included in them. You also shouldn’t forget that there are follow up costs that come after treatment, such as the cost to make your retainers, follow-up appointments, and costs to make new retainers if they spoil or get worn out. Braces treatment ranges in cost and duration – so it’s best to understand before starting!

3. Underestimating the amount of work to maintain your braces and keep your teeth clean

Fixed braces require more work and effort than removable braces. From avoiding hard foods as it will pop the brackets to brushing your teeth after each meal. You also need to use smaller interdental brushes as you are no longer able to use thread flosser to remove food from gaps between your teeth. If you think you are not good, you may consider removable braces.  Make sure that you understand what is involved in maintaining your braces so that you don’t worsen the condition of your teeth by neglecting them! 

Read more: Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth While Wearing Braces 

4. Skipping monthly dental appointments

Monthly dental appointments are necessary to adjust your fixed braces and for the orthodontist to check that everything is going well with your teeth. It may be tempting to postpone your monthly appointments, but that will only lead to a slower, longer, more painful and less efficient process. There are certain dental braces that allow longer intervals between appointments, such as the Invisalign Clear Aligners, so if you think you can’t keep up with appointments every month, discuss options with your orthodontist during the consultation! 

5. Forgetting retainers are involved

Many users start wearing braces thinking that the two to three years that they spend on treatment is the final step to achieving their healthy smile, then are startled at the end when they realise that they must wear retainers for the rest of their lives! Braces do help you to achieve aligned teeth, but to keep that alignment, you will need to continue wearing retainers even after your braces are removed. Retainers are usually worn every day (day and night) for the first 4 – 6 months after treatment, and then every night, indefinitely, to maintain the position of your teeth. Neglecting to wear your retainers causes your teeth to shift back to its original position and wasting all the effort you spent during your braces treatment!

All in all, dental braces are a great and fun solution for your crooked teeth as long as you keep these points in mind and make an informed decision before you begin. If you have any enquiries about braces treatment in Singapore, get in touch with My Braces Clinic’s trusted team of orthodontists, here!