What are braces?
Braces are orthodontic/dental devices used to straighten your teeth and improve your oral health by correcting crooked teeth/malocclusions. They work by slowly applying pressure on your teeth over a period of time to move them into new positions.
Outside of the cosmetic appeal, straighter teeth will also give you the benefit of being easier to clean to prevent tartar buildup and discolouration.
How much do braces cost?
Not all braces are priced equally. Each type will have different costs to them. And even within the same type, there’s a range of prices.
Here’s a quick summary of the price ranges for all kinds of braces available in Singapore:
| Types of braces | Price range |
| Traditional/Metal braces | $3,500 – $4,200 |
| Ceramic braces | $5,000-$6,000 |
| Self-ligating/Damon braces | $5,000 – $13,000 |
| Lingual braces | $8,000 – $11,000 |
| Invisible Braces | $2,650 – $8,000 |
| DIY (cheap braces) | Below $2,000 |
Factors that affect the pricing of braces
Types of braces
While braces in general begin in the thousands, some differences can affect the overall price. The aesthetic appeal of clear aligners and technology behind it may cause differences in cost as well. Braces that use brackets can lead to the possibility of broken brackets and wires, and the subsequent appointments can add to the overall price.
Tooth conditions
Every orthodontic treatment may differ in complexity as no two smiles are the same. More severe types of misalignments usually affect the length and intricacy of the treatment which is a driving factor to consider when determining the cost.
Types of braces
Traditional/Metal braces
Traditional braces are what comes to mind when the term “brace face” is thrown around. Also known as metal braces, they involve metal wires and individual brackets cemented to the front of each tooth. The metal archwire is then held in place by elastic bands, which you can usually get in fun colours.
It’s not all fun though – your dentist adjusts the tension (ouch!) on each bracket (and, thus, each tooth) to shape the perfect smile for you. It’s usually a longer and more uncomfortable experience.
If you need more information, let’s take a look at the pros and cons associated with metal braces.
Pros:
- Cheaper than a few braces options
- Safely straightens teeth within 24 months on average
- Trusted and proven solution
- Able to treat most cases including complex ones
Cons:
- Aesthetically unappealing
- Food restrictions
- Oral care routine changes – difficult to clean
- Uncomfortable – causes cuts and ulcers to cheeks and lips
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces work in pretty much the same way as metal braces.
Except, of course, that the brackets are made of ceramic, which can be clear or made to match the colour of your teeth. Basically, traditional metal braces in incognito mode.
The arch-wires used in ceramic braces are thinner, and typically, instead of metal, they’re made of polymer – a transparent material. Now, what about the pros and cons of ceramic braces?
Pros:
- Less visible than metal braces
- Roughly the same treatment time as traditional braces (24 months on average)
Cons:
- Costly
- Prone to staining
- Oral care routine changes – difficult to clean
- Uncomfortable – causes cuts and ulcers to cheeks and lips
Self-ligating/Damon braces
Unfamiliar with Damon braces?
Well, it is a new generation of metal braces that uses passive self-ligating braces. What exactly does this mean? There will not be any elastic, rubber bands or metal ties used in this treatment and use a ‘sliding door’ technique where brackets are stuck onto the front teeth. This method allows the archwire to slide back and forth.
Pros:
- Clear brackets are more aesthetically pleasing
- Treatment is quicker than traditional braces
- Less in-clinic maintenance
- Reduced pressure on teeth compared to traditional braces
Cons:
- Still have wires that are still visible to others
- Costly
- Uncomfortable to wear
Lingual braces
Talk about stealth mode – lingual braces consist of the same system of arch-wires and brackets as metal and ceramic braces, but they’re fixed to the back of your teeth, on the tongue (or lingual) side of the teeth.
You can think of them as something like ‘internal braces’. If you thought that metal or ceramic braces were difficult to clean, imagine trying to reach behind your teeth!
Still tempted? Here’s the pros and cons of lingual braces.
Pros:
- Unable to tell you are wearing braces
- Roughly the same treatment time as traditional braces (24 months on average)
Cons:
- Costly
- Uncomfortable since space in mouth is reduced
- Restrictions – speech and food
- Oral care routine changes – difficult to clean
Invisible braces
Don’t want to be called ‘metal mouth’, and don’t have a ton of cash to spare? This is where invisible braces come in.
They’re hands-down the most affordable braces in Singapore.
Invisible braces, also known as clear aligners, eliminate metal brackets in favour of plastic moulds that fit over the teeth. Your treatment is broken up into phases, and in each phase you gradually wear a straighter mould as your teeth get more aligned, giving you that Hollywood smile over time.
Invisible aligners are also usually the least painful option of almost every braces option. Take a look at the pros and cons of invisible braces below!
Pros:
- More affordable than other straightening options
- Aesthetically pleasing since they are invisible
- Shorter treatment time (3 to 18 months)
- Moulded to teeth and gumline – less irritation
Cons:
- May not be suitable for severe conditions
DIY (Cheap braces)
There are indeed many options available for braces in Singapore, each with their pros and cons – you’ll have to weigh your needs and budget to select one most suitable to you.
We know how tempting it can be to go for the absolute cheapest option.
But, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. And do you really want the absolute cheapest treatment for your teeth? After all, these are adult teeth we’re talking about. For the rest of your life, these are the teeth that will stay with you.
Cheapest possible teeth straightening treatment usually means do-it-yourself kits, and you should never go for fake/DIY braces (e.g. DIY 3D-printing or the ones you find on e-commerce sites – those are definite no-nos.
You wouldn’t give yourself stitches for a cut, or conduct your own surgery. So let’s leave your orthodontic treatment to the pros!
How to tell which invisible braces are safe
Not all invisible braces are created equal though.
There are the ‘safe’ kinds, and the ‘unsafe’ kinds. How do you tell if the invisible braces you’re eyeing falls into the ‘safe’ category? Here are 4 tell-tale signs:
- X-rays – Licensed invisible braces providers always perform X-rays to help the dentist identify any problems under the gums before straightening your teeth.
- In-person dentist visits – Safe invisible braces providers work closely with local dentists and orthodontists throughout the screening and treatment process.
- Interproximal reduction (IPR) – Legit invisible braces providers will always offer IPR, which is crucial in preventing a protrusive jaw profile (aka ‘duckface’), particularly common in Asians.
- Professional screening process – Safe invisible braces providers will always require a professional 3D scan and X-ray at a local, licensed dentist’s office. You should NEVER get your teeth imprints done in, say, a co-working space. Or worse, at home, by yourself.
It must be pretty clear by now, but for good measure, here’s a reminder: better safe than sorry. Your health isn’t something to gamble in a bid to save a few bucks.
A fearless smile begins with straighter teeth
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