Things to Know Before Getting Braces In Singapore

The desire for a perfect smile is unquestionable. Even back in 1600 BC, Egyptians wore an orthodontic-like form of object around their teeth made from animal intestines to realign their teeth. The desire has continued growing, and it’s at the peak today, with a whopping 33% of the world’s population has undergone a form of orthodontic treatment at some point in their life. For Singaporeans who wish to have braces, it’s important to know what options are available, how much they can cost, and how they can be financed.

Orthodontics (or Braces) deals with the treatment of improper bites, which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Braces can re-arrange teeth, and control or modify facial growth. It can be carried out for purely cosmetic reasons to improve the general appearance of one’s teeth and face but also for practical purposes to functionally improve the bite. When the tooth is left untreated, many orthodontic problems worsen, contributing abnormal wear of tooth surfaces and may contribute to tooth decay but also eventual gum disease and tooth loss. A sweet smile is not only beautiful, but it can also promote good health.

Cost Of Braces In Singapore

The cost of your treatment is dependent mainly on the length and type of orthodontic treatment you receive. Standard metal braces average between $3,500 and $5,000. Lingual teeth braces, where each bracket requires a custom mold, may go between $8,500 and $10,000. Because treatments vary drastically in length, only your dentist can give you the actual cost. At first glance, the prices could seem a little high. Orthodontic work (braces) is less expensive than treating all the individual complications that might arise from poor teeth alignment.

However, unless you happen to be one of those lucky bloggers Singaporean bloggers, dental clinics in Singapore require that you pay half of the cost upfront on your first visit, with subsequent payments made subsequent visits while some clinics permit monthly installment plans. You cannot use your Medisave to pay for braces in Singapore (Medisave is reserved only for surgical procedures only). There are rare cases, such as if your misaligned teeth are bad enough to cause health problems (e.g., gum disease, tooth decay, severe pain or speech problems). For such cases, you may be able to see a polyclinic dentist justify that you need braces for medical reasons, then, this will be covered by your dental insurance.

For all other reasons, braces are considered a cosmetic procedure, and as such, your dental insurance will not cover treatment.

Who Are Qualified To Do Your Braces In Singapore

1. The General Practitioners (GPs) can fit your braces.
2. The Orthodontists. They have three additional years of training towards correcting misaligned teeth. Apart from providing regular braces, they also tend to see more complex cases of misaligned teeth.
3. Finally, you can get your orthodontic treatment done by postgraduate orthodontic students (under supervision) at the NUS Post Graduate Orthodontic Clinic.

Types Of Braces Done In Singapore

Clear aligners, Metal braces, Ceramic braces and Lingual Braces