When is a good time to start braces?
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

In general, comprehensive braces treatment can start when a child has shed most of his baby (deciduous) teeth, which is between the ages of ten and 13. Some children may benefit from early interceptive treatment between the ages of seven and 12.

There is no upper age limit for braces treatment as long as the teeth and jaw joints are healthy.

How do I know if I need them?

Most commonly, people seek braces treatment to straighten their teeth for cosmetic purposes. Others may require it to treat an incorrect bite that is leading to teeth or jaw joint damange.

If you think that you can benefit from braces treatment, visit an Orthodontic specialist who will do an examination to determine your dental problem and suggest the treatment options available to you.

How do I know if my child needs early Orthodontic treatment?

It is not easy for the parent to tell if the child requires early orthodontic treatment. You may want to get an assessment for your child if you notice the following:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Habits like thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting or mouth breathing
• Severely displaced or blocked out teeth
• Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
• Upper and lower jaw mismatch

The Orthodontic specialist has the expertise to pick up and treat any condition that may benefit from early treatment. She may also decide the best timing to treat such conditions, which may differ from one person to another.

How do I know if I need them?

Length of braces treatment depends largely on the severity of the dental problem. Treatment duration can range from six months to three years.

Braces treatment requires monthly visits to your Orthodontic specialist for review and adjustments. Failure to keep to your regular appointments will lengthen the duration of treatment.

Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment? What happens if I do not wear them?

Retainers are used to maintain the final teeth position achieved during braces treatment. There is a tendency for teeth to drift toward their original positions immediately after braces are removed.

Failure to wear retainers according to the Orthodontist’s instructions may result in teeth becoming crooked again.

Are there any lifestyle changes I must be prepared for after braces?

The most important lifestyle change that one must be prepared to do is the extended care routine. Extra effort and time need to be invested in keeping the teeth and braces clean to prevent untoward effects of braces treatment, for example, gum disease, tooth decay or discoloration.

There will also be some dietary adjustments. Hard foods like roasted nuts, and sticky foods like toffee sweets or chewing gum should be avoided. They can pop brackets off teeth and pull wires out of place, which will result in an extra visit to the dental office.

For a few days each month, after the braces have been adjusted, teeth will be especially sore. During these days, it will be more comfortable to keep to a soft diet like soup and porridge.

There are many clinics offering braces treatment. Why do I need to engage an Orthodontist (Braces Specialist) to do them?

A registered Orthodontic Specialist in Singapore would have received further training and achieved a specialist qualification that is recognised by the Dental Specialists Accreditation Board. He/she would also have been in restricted Orthodontic practice for a minimum of 5 years. This translates to a highly qualified and experienced professional to attend to your needs.

The Singapore Dental Council website provides a list of registered Orthodontic specialist practicing in Singapore.