Welcome to Specialist Dental Group. We care for you smile.

There are several reasons for orthodontic treatment - aesthetic, functional or a combination of both.

Aesthetic reasons include crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, teeth that are protruding or otherwise not lined up properly.

Functional reasons include the inability to chew properly, discomfort caused by biting of gums, lips or cheeks, speech difficulties, impacted teeth that affect cleaning and predispose teeth to decay and gum disease, and jaw length problems such as shorter or longer lower/upper jaws.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, do consult an orthodontist.

For most patients, the best time to start orthodontic treatment is after all their milk teeth have been replaced by permanent teeth. This is usually between the ages of 12 to 14. In some situations, your orthodontist may advise you to start treatment earlier due to functional, traumatic or jaw growth problems.

Fixed braces can be made of stainless steel brackets and wires. There are also fixed braces with brackets made of tooth-coloured ceramic.

Removable braces are made from acrylic plastic and can be removed from the mouth when required. There are various designs depending on the indication for use. Some are used for some minor tooth movements, and others for correction of jaw growth problems in younger patients.

Invisalign braces use a series of slim, clear plastic appliances fitted to the teeth to move teeth gradually into alignment. Invisiline braces are removable and the main advantage is that they are barely visible.

Braces need a series of appointments to complete. For predictable results, you have to make sure you keep to your scheduled appointments and brush your teeth well. Regular professional dental cleaning every three to six months is also essential for a good overall treatment outcome. Caring for your braces and preventing breakages helps to ensure that you complete your treatment within the expected duration. Do contact your orthodontist for an earlier appointment if you have appliance breakages.

The traditional view was that misalignment of teeth was hereditary, i.e., it tends to run in the family. Certain hereditary traits such as small/big teeth, missing teeth, jaw size and jaw growth problems have strong genetic links.

The current view of crowding and misalignment of teeth is that there are also other factors involved: e.g., thumb-sucking or pacifier sucking past a certain age, or mouth breathing. There are also specific causes not linked genetically such as early loss of primary (milk) teeth and trauma.

Not necessarily. We try not to extract teeth unless we see a clear indication. Sometimes, teeth can be aligned without the need for extractions. On the other hand, in some situations, extraction is one of the means to get space required to align crooked teeth properly and achieving a pleasant facial profile.

It is never too late!

Scientific literature shows that orthodontic treatment in adults is feasible and predictable. As long as your gums are in good condition, braces treatment is predictable. There are times that your dental team may need to clear up some existing dental concerns (e.g. cavities) before orthodontic treatment is started.

Orthodontic treatment typically requires 12 to 24 months to complete. Those individuals who travel frequently or with a busy schedule may not be able to cope with this.

Alternatively, veneers may be suitable for such situations as described above. Veneers treatment may require minor adjustment to the natural teeth. In a few days, the completed new teeth may be bonded onto to the natural teeth. The overall process typically takes only a few days to complete. In addition, veneers can dramatically enhance the color of the teeth to any color shade one desires.

The overall treatment cost for veneers will be higher than that of braces. However, it may suit people with a busy life style who may not be able to work with the longer orthodontic treatment schedule.

After your orthodontic treatment is completed, your braces are removed. You will need retainers to maintain your teeth in their corrected positions and prevent relapse (teeth moving back out of alignment). These retainers are a lot less visible than the fixed braces.

Some retainers are removable and can be taken out of the mouth for eating, brushing and contact sports. There are also retainers that are fixed onto the back of your front teeth. Your orthodontist will prescribe the best design for you.

It is important that you wear your retainers faithfully. The removable retainers have to be worn full time daily for the first six months, followed by night time wear and this is reduced over time. They can be easily kept clean with simple brushing using a toothbrush and toothpaste and rinsed with tap water.

In addition, a six-monthly ongoing dental follow-up helps to maintain optimal treatment results and overall dental health. Also, any issues (e.g. change of alignment) arising after completion of your braces treatment could be addressed promptly. Follow-ups can be done at the same time during your regular professional dental cleaning.

What are the common problems during orthodontic treatment?

Maintenance of adequate oral hygiene is crucial. Issues such as oral hygiene problems are not uncommon but it can be addressed with adequate hygiene instruction, proper home care and professional oral hygiene maintenance.

Our team of dental specialists are well-trained and experienced in resolving these problems for our patients.