frequently asked questions
About my personalised treatment and process
How do I start my orthodontic treatment?
- Initial Consultation: Meet with our orthodontist for a comprehensive evaluation, including photos, X-rays, and a study model.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Our orthodontist will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
- Get Ready to Smile: Prepare for your orthodontic journey and achieve a beautiful, healthy smile!
What do I expect during every visit?
- After treatment plan confirmation: Your first visit will be exciting! We’ll place your braces, and it usually takes about 1.5 hours.
- Monthly Follow-Ups: After the initial appointment, you’ll have monthly check-ups with your orthodontist to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments, until treatment completion.
Why do I need to see my orthodontist every month during orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment involves applying gentle, consistent pressure to gradually move your teeth. To maintain this pressure, we’ll need to adjust your braces at regular monthly appointments. This ensures your teeth move smoothly toward their ideal positions.
How long will my treatment take?
Orthodontic treatment typically lasts between 1 and 3 years. However, the exact duration can vary depending on individual factors such as the complexity of the case, age, and patient cooperation.
What is the cost of treatment? Is there any payment plan provided?
The cost can vary depending on the type of braces, the complexity of your case, how long treatment is expected to take, and any extra accessories you might need. That’s why it’s important to talk to your orthodontist to create a plan that’s perfect for you.
To make orthodontic treatment more affordable, we offer flexible payment plans that can be spread over the duration of your treatment.
What to expect during orthodontic treatment? Is it painful?
It’s normal to feel a little soreness in your teeth for the first 3-5 days after getting your braces adjusted. But don’t worry, your teeth will adjust, and your braces will soon feel like a natural part of your smile.
How do I care for my braces?
To minimize the risk of dental decay, which is more prevalent among orthodontic patients due to challenges in maintaining optimal oral hygiene, we recommend the following:
- Brushing your teeth after every meal with a toothbrush and interdental brush
- Using a fluoridated mouthwash
- Scheduling more frequent professional dental cleanings
Orthodontic emergencies. How do I handle them?
- Wire Discomfort: If you experience discomfort from a sharp wire, apply dental wax to the area. Then, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist.
- Loose Brackets: If a bracket becomes loose or falls off, please contact our clinic to schedule a repair appointment. If the bracket comes out of your mouth, keep it safe and bring it to your appointment.
Orthodontic treatment
What is the difference between a general dentist and orthodontist?
General dentists take care of your general teeth and gum health, and ensures that your oral health optimum condition.
Orthodontists are dentists with additional years of training focusing in the field of aligning teeth and correcting jaw position, with in-depth understanding of jaw growth and development.
What is the best age to start orthodontic treatment?
Most orthodontic treatments begin once all permanent teeth have erupted, typically around age 12-14. However, early intervention may be necessary in certain cases as early as age 7. If you have concerns, consult with an orthodontist for an evaluation.
Is there an age limit for orthodontic treatment?
No, orthodontic treatment can be started at any age, as long as your oral health is good. However, treatment time may increase with age.
Do I need to have my teeth removed for orthodontic treatment?
Your orthodontist will generally avoid tooth extractions, if at all possible.
However, teeth may be extracted to create necessary space for proper alignment. This procedure can help address various orthodontic issues, such as overcrowding, protruding teeth, misaligned bites, and midline discrepancies.
Braces or clear aligners? Which is the better choice? Who makes the decision?
Braces and aligners are orthodontic tools designed to reposition teeth. Your orthodontist will determine the best option for your unique needs. Open communication with your orthodontist is crucial for a successful treatment journey.
How long do I have to wear my retainers?
Retention with retainers is life-long.
Dentofacial orthopeadics
(Child)
What is dento-facial orthopedics?
These treatments and appliances focus on modifying bone structure, rather than solely moving teeth. For children, the most common treatment aims to widen the upper jaw and help the upper and lower jaws to grow properly.
My child’s lower jaw is more forwards than upper jaw. Can this be fixed?
Reverse pull headgear/ Class III functional appliance can stimulate upper jaw growth, advancing the upper front teeth for improved alignment.
My child’s lower jaw is small, and upper teeth sticking out. Can this be fixed?
A Class II functional appliances can facilitate the development and guidance of lower jaw growth.
My child’s upper jaw is small and constricted. What are the treatment options?
To widen the upper jaw, we can use either removable or fixed expanders. The best option for your child will depend on their age and how severe the crossbite is.
What is Myofunctional therapy?
These are exercises, specifically involving the tongue, lips, and cheeks, serves to enhance the development of facial musculature, stimulate optimal jawbone growth, and facilitate appropriate spacing for dental alignment.
Dentofacial orthopeadics, orthognathic surgery, and other treatment (Adult)
What is dento-facial orthopedics?
Bony modifications are rather limited in adults.
Surgical procedures may be necessary to achieve expansion, forward movement, or backward movement of the jaw.
My lower jaw is more forwards than upper jaw. Can this be fixed?
Orthognathic surgery might be necessary to realign the jaw, either by moving the lower jaw back or the upper jaw forward.
In less severe cases, braces can sometimes improve the appearance by correcting the position of the teeth.
My lower jaw is small, and upper teeth sticking out. Can this be fixed?
Orthognathic surgery may be required to correct the jaw misalignment. This involves repositioning the lower jaw forward or the upper jaw backward.
For less severe cases, braces may effectively improve the appearance by retracting protruding upper front teeth.
What is orthognathic surgery? And what is the process?
Orthognathic surgery, a specialized procedure conducted in a hospital setting, involves precisely repositioning the jaw to its ideal alignment.
This collaborative treatment requires seamless communication and cooperation between orthodontists and oral surgeons.
Orthodontists meticulously align the teeth to achieve the planned bite, while oral surgeons execute the precise jaw positioning. This multidisciplinary approach ensures optimal results.
Obstructive sleep apnea. How can my orthodontist/dentist help?
Oral appliances may be considered for mild cases of sleep apnea.
Prior to treatment, medical professionals and sleep specialists must thoroughly evaluate the patient to identify and address any underlying causes. Treatment effectiveness will be monitored closely with adjustments made as needed.
Teeth grinding. How can my orthodontist/dentist help?
Nightguards can be utilized to protect the surfaces of your teeth and mitigate stress on the temporomandibular joints.
Individual dental issues (Child)
What are common dental problems that I can look out for, to indicate that my child may require early orthodontic intervention?
- Delayed Tooth Eruption: Teeth may not erupt on schedule due to physical obstructions, insufficient space, or abnormal eruption pathway.
- Habit-Related Issues: Mouth breathing and thumb sucking can negatively impact tooth and jaw development.
- Underbite (Anterior Crossbite): This condition, which may be caused by abnormal tooth positioning or jaw growth, may benefit from early intervention.
- Protruding Upper Teeth: Abnormal habits or poor lower jaw growth can contribute to this dental issue.
My child is 7 years old and had crooked teeth. Do I need to seek for orthodontic treatment?
It is unconventional to align crooked teeth at 7 years old. However, your orthodontist may detect certain anomalies in habits or jaw growth, which may indicate early treatment.
My child’s tooth is loose. Do I need to get it removed immediately so that the teeth will be straight?
We typically allow baby teeth to fall out naturally. However, if adult teeth have emerged and baby teeth persist, leading to discomfort or poor oral hygiene, we may suggest removal.
My child’s upper front teeth are sticking out. Should I be worried?
Schedule an orthodontic evaluation for your child to explore potential benefits like preventing dental injuries and optimizing jaw growth while they’re still young.
My child is 5 years old. I was told to start orthodontic treatment? Is this common?
Early orthodontic intervention is typically not recommended, as there may be limited clinical justification. Premature treatment may increase the likelihood of patient fatigue or resistance to future orthodontic care.
Individual dental issues (Adult)
I need to have my teeth removed. Should I place an implant replacement, or can braces treatment close up the space?
Orthodontic treatment may effectively close the gap created by a missing tooth. This not only avoids the expense of a dental prosthesis but also preserves your natural teeth, promoting optimal oral health.
Tip: Consult an orthodontist before tooth extractions to create a comprehensive and coordinated treatment plan.
I am 40 years old. Can I still straighten my teeth?
Absolutely! Orthodontic treatment is generally possible for individuals with good oral health. However, pre-existing dental conditions might affect the treatment timeline or necessitate modifications to the treatment approach.
Your orthodontist will carefully evaluate your specific situation and create a customized treatment plan.
I was told I can just straighten my teeth with veneers and crowns, without braces. Is this true?
Masking misalignment with veneers or crowns is generally not advisable.
This approach can potentially harm your oral health, including your teeth and gums, and may also disrupt your bite.
I’ve worn braces many years ago, but did not wear my retainers. Now my teeth are a little crooked. What are my options?
Option 1: Achieve optimal tooth alignment with a short-term aligner or braces treatment. This will restore your desired smile and long-term oral health.
Option 2: Manage the current relapse with a new retainer. This will prevent further misalignment and maintain your current smile
I heard by using “Damon” braces or “Invisalign”, I can straighten my teeth without removing any teeth. Is this true?
No. Orthodontic treatment planning is a critical phase that prioritizes both scientific principles and aesthetic considerations. A key aspect of this planning involves determining the necessity of tooth extractions.
The choice of orthodontic appliances or specific brands plays a minimal role in the overall treatment plan. The primary focus lies in developing a customized approach to effectively move teeth and achieve the desired outcomes.
