For those looking to get braces in Singapore, here’s everything you need to know! We’ve compiled a handy guide for anyone seeking to straighten out their smile.
This includes all its benefits, types of braces to pick from, and a rough breakdown of the cost.
Brace yourself and look forward to meeting your new smile!
Benefits of getting braces
If you’re still mulling over your decision whether to get braces, here are a few benefits that go beyond achieving that coveted smile!
Braces boost your self-esteem
It’s no surprise that having a set of glossy white and perfectly placed set of teeth would do wonders for your self-esteem.
When you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it may be difficult to show your smile freely, which can cause you to be self-conscious.
On the other hand, having beautifully straight teeth would help you feel more at ease with smiling, talking, and laughing – allowing you to truly let go and be yourself.
Braces improve your overall dental health
It’s a definite plus to have straight teeth when it comes to improving your oral health. When teeth are crooked or misaligned, it’s usually harder to clean.
Maintaining your dental health involves a daily conscientious effort of brushing and flossing. If you miss crucial areas between each tooth, there’d be plaque build-up, which may cause more serious oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
Furthermore, less-than-ideal dental hygiene may also cause cavities, which weakens the bone that holds your teeth in place.
Therefore, always make sure to clean your teeth thoroughly every day, and especially after eating. Braces would help to make this daunting process easier.
Braces improve your speech
Think of your mouth as your very own musical instrument. If your teeth are formed improperly as a result of malocclusion (misaligned teeth), your speech may be altered, making it harder for you to speak clearly.
An easy way to correct a chronic speech problem would be to have orthodontic treatment and get braces.
Fixing the misalignment would naturally help your mouth to move into its correct form.
Types of orthodontic issues that braces can correct
If you find that you have problems with crooked or misaligned teeth, braces can easily correct it. Here are some of the most common orthodontic issues that braces can help rectify.
Underbite
An underbite, also known as a reverse overjet, happens when your lower jaw extends out, causing your bottom teeth to protrude out and sit in front of your upper teeth.
An underbite may cause you to have difficulty chewing food.
In the long term, it may lead to jaw pain and excessive wear and tear. However, this can be easily rectified with braces to help push the lower teeth back.
Excessive Overjet
An excessive overjet happens when your top teeth protrude or overlap too far over your bottom teeth.
This may cause your bottom teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth. Braces can correct this issue to help the jaw to align correctly.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when you have more teeth than jaw space, causing your teeth to overlap. In more extreme cases, they may get pushed to the back, leading to crooked teeth.
This condition is common, especially for children and can be remedied easily with braces. While some people may have to extract their teeth before putting on braces, in less severe cases, crowding can be fixed without the need for tooth extraction.
Types of braces you can choose from
There are many types of braces you can choose from. It’s advised to choose one based on your budget, oral suitability, and lifestyle.
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are made of metal brackets and wires. These are attached to each individual tooth and its positioning can be altered by your dentist as needed.
This is the most common option for adolescents since braces colours can be changed every appointment.
These braces would be suitable for younger wearers as it’s very effective for their more malleable teeth. It’s also the least expensive, which makes it more accessible to everyone.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Cheapest option
✓ Effective for rectifying serious malocclusions ✓ Choice of coloured rubber bands |
✗ Very noticeable
✗ Less hygienic ✗ Causes mouth ulcers |
Traditional ceramic braces
Traditional ceramic braces are similar to metal braces. The only difference is its ceramic brackets which are more similar to the natural colour of a person’s teeth.
These braces are suitable for most wearers and may be preferable to adults as they are less noticeable. However, they are also more expensive and require more diligence and oral care as they are easily stained.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Less noticeable than metal braces | ✗ More expensive than traditional metal braces
✗ Prone to staining |
Self-ligating metal braces
Self-ligating metal braces are considered the second-generation update to the traditional metal ones. In this case, metal brackets are stuck to the front of each tooth, allowing the wire to slide without needing rubber bands to hold it in place.
These are suitable for all wearers, but it must be noted that it’s at a higher price point than the traditional ones.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ More hygienic
✓ Shorter treatment time than traditional braces |
✗ More expensive than traditional braces |
Self-ligating ceramic braces
Similar to the self-ligating metal braces, its ceramic counterpart is the second-generation improvement to its traditional predecessor.
It removes the need for rubber bands and remains less noticeable as it matches the colour of your teeth.
However, similarly, they are more expensive and may stain easily without proper care.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Less noticeable than metal braces | ✗ More expensive than traditional metal braces
✗ Prone to staining |
Invisible braces (Invisalign)
Invisible braces, also known as Invisalign, are unique as they don’t require the use of brackets and wires. Instead, they are customized clear plastic aligners that are worn comfortably over your teeth.
A huge selling point is that they are virtually invisible, can easily be removed and replaced, and doesn’t interfere with eating and drinking.
Invisalign is suitable for anyone who doesn’t mind the high price point but is only recommended for adults and teenagers with minor dental issues that they want to correct.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Not as noticeable
✓ Comfortable and convenient |
✗ Most expensive option |
Costs of getting braces in Singapore
Braces don’t come cheap, and it depends on the type of braces you choose and the dental clinic you go to.
Also, do note that clinics would usually charge a first-time consultation fee which ranges from $200 – $400 on top of the treatment!
Some clinics also offer financing plans for students and national servicemen (NSFs), and if you fall into this segment, this is something you can make use of.
In this table, we’ve included the price range for public and private dental clinics in Singapore and the appointment frequency for your reference.
| Type of braces | Price range for public dental clinics | Price range for private dental clinics | Appointment frequency |
| Traditional metal braces | $3,500 – $4,500 | $3,900 – $4,500 | Monthly |
| Traditional ceramic braces | $4,200 – $6,000 | $4,600 – $6,000 | Monthly |
| Self-ligating metal braces | $4,500 – $6,000 | $5,100 – $5,700 | Bi-monthly or monthly |
| Self-ligating ceramic braces | $4,500 – $8,000 | $5,800 – $6,500 | Monthly |
| Invisalign | $8,000 – $8,500 | $8,000 – $8,500 | Every 6 weeks |
Note: price range excludes consultation fee and only serves as a gauge. To get the exact quotation, consult your preferred dental clinic.
Getting Braces in Singapore
Wearing braces can bring on a whole host of benefits. Even though costs can be steep, consider it an investment that would pay itself off in a multitude of ways.
If you’re considering braces, make sure to pick the type that suits your finances and lifestyle. It’s time to brace yourself for your new smile!
