FAQs on orthodontic treatment

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• What is Orthodontics?

  • Orthodontics is the field of dentistry concerned with the alignment of teeth​ in order to obtain optimal functioning.

• What are braces?​

  • Braces are the metal (or ceramic) appliances fixed unto the teeth to facilitate fixed orthodontic treatment.​

• How do braces work?​

  • A U-shaped wire conforming to the ideal shape of your dental arch​ is tied onto your braces using ligatures made of rubber or metal wires. The wire is changed for a few times with the sequence usually starting from a flexible and soft wire to a harder wire towards the end of treatment. All the teeth attached with braces then move to conform with the shape of the wire.

• What are retainers?​

  • After your braces are removed, there is a tendency for your teeth to go back to its original position because of the muscle memory of the periodontal fibers suspending teeth onto the bone. This is called relapse. Retainers are appliances used to minimize​ relapse. Retainers may either be fixed (using wires attached on the back side) or removable (denture-like appliance or invisible type plastic retainer).

• How long is the treatment?​

  • On average around 2-3 years. Simpler cases = faster.​ Appointments are spaced between 4-6 weeks.

• What age can one have braces?​

  • For me, it is ideally when all the permanent teeth have come out​ and properly matured. (around 11-13 years old). It is best to coincide treatment during adolescence while the patient is still growing. Younger patients tend to have poorer hygiene which would eventually lead to tooth decay.

• What is Invisalign?​

  • Invisalign are clear & removable teeth aligners, similar to mouthguards.​ I do not offer this at the present as the cost is quite prohibitive and is usually limited to treating simple non-extraction cases.

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