Braces for kids
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MotherHen:
Thks! Do you mind if I ask which clinic your child goes to? I've been told by a couple of clinics i called that must wait till all adult teeth are out... Would like to check out options.[/quote]2 orthodontists told me that there is no need to wait until all adult teeth are out. For dd's case, if wait until all adult teeth are out, then he said got to extract because of overcrowding. So he said if fix braces now, can adjust the space accordingly, so no need to sacrifice adult teeth. dd went to Q & M clinic.
It's only painful for the first 2 days, got ulcers and cannot chew. After 2 days, everything's back to normal as they get used to the braces. After psle is the best time to fix braces.sall:
[quote=\"MotherHen\"]Brought dd to a restructured hospital for consultation following a referral from school dentist. Hv to say, really NOT impressed by the service. I, too, will choose private when the time comes to fix the braces. Waiting for all her adult teeth to be out.
Hv heard that it's a painful procedure, and better to wait until after PSLE. But dd is self-conscious of her misaligned teeth. Is the process really that bad?
BTW, anyone has any feedback on Raffles Dental at Raffles Hospital? They have a student's package for braces + convenient location...
TIA for any advice.
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Hi Sall,
In this case, I must really disagree on the statement
\"if wait until all adult teeth are out, then he said got to extract because of overcrowding. So he said if fix braces now, can adjust the space accordingly, so no need to sacrifice adult teeth.\"
When adult teeth grow in an awkward position due to milk teeth still being around, 'overcrowding' will be temporary as milk teeth will drop eventually and space will be created....the only problem is the misalignment. Cases like this, perhaps yes.
However, if overcrowding happens because the jaw is too small for the set of adult teeth, teeth definitely will grow in zigzag manner. If jaw is too small, no matter how early you start the braces, it won't help. Simple logic, No Space means No Space
Yes, there be ulcer and pain in the initial stage. Also whenever the orthodontist make any adjustment, some discomfort is expected for the first 1-2 days. This cycle will probably last for as long as the treatment goes. Extent of discomfort depends on how 'aggressive' is the adjustment.
Rgds -
Hi Cwc, in dd's case, she has no prob with small jaw, so quite easy for orthodontist to fix. That's why he said by fixing braces now, adjustments can be made and adjacent tooth can be shifted a little to make way for the adult tooth that's coming out. Only her milk tooth was extracted. There's no need to extract any adult teeth. It all depends on individual child.
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Hi Sall,
Glad your girl belongs to the first case, which will be easier to resolve
No offense for raising the the objection. Guess I was concerned with the earlier statement cos' it sounds somewhat misleading. Thot it will be good to help clarify it for those may not know much about braces and yet to visit any orthodontist.
Cheers. Have a good weekend. -
Hi Cwc, no problem, no offense taken
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At what age normally can 1 fix braces? I have not heard anything from my 12yo DS. If after PSLE is the best time to do braces, I would think so too. Hwr, I have oso seen many who only had their braces in upper Sec?
Do we need referrals from the school’s dentist or can we go to polyclinic for referrals or walk-in to any dental clinics?
What is the price difference between private and subsidised and do we pay one-off or by installments? -
Well it's usually when one's milk teeth have dropped and the Adult teeth have already grown i guess? Its best to consult an orthodontist to find out more.
You don't have to wait for school referrals, I think you can just walk in to a dental clinic. There are some private orthodontists who provide free consultation for the 1st time and you can pay by installments. Price difference may not be that much compared to hospitals. But it is of course more convenient to go to private ones as you can reschedule appointments easily. -
popireis:
We have been going to National Dental Centre since our son in P3 because his teeth overlapped badly such that his gum at one location has receded and caused the adult tooth to become shaky. We were not aware about this until the school's dental nurse gave us a letter informing us this and a referral letter. We are grateful that the nurse detected it. The orthodontist fixed it with temporary braces and the price was subsidized.At what age normally can 1 fix braces? I have not heard anything from my 12yo DS. If after PSLE is the best time to do braces, I would think so too. Hwr, I have oso seen many who only had their braces in upper Sec?
Do we need referrals from the school's dentist or can we go to polyclinic for referrals or walk-in to any dental clinics?
What is the price difference between private and subsidised and do we pay one-off or by installments?
Anyway, the orthodontist told us that we need to wait until all of his milk teeth have dropped and all the adult teeth have fully grown before we make the final braces. This is the braces most teens used. There will be no subsidy for this but I compared with some dental clinic and I think the National Dental Centre's price is still lower by around $1,000. I checked the price quite sometime ago so it may have changed. Please don't
if I am wrong.
The bad thing about National Dental Centre is that sometimes the queue to make braces is a few months (a few years ago the queue can be a few years long). The queue situation may have improved. You have to check it with them. -
Before treatment, my kid’s teeth were crowded and sticking out. The Dentist explained the treatment processes in a way he could understand.
It was worth the investment of time and money because the result will benefit him for the rest of his life. Since the braces have come off, he smile a lot more and have a lot more confidence. For maintenance, he was advised to use the retainers which is not bad at all. -
son has been wearing braces for 3 years due to his cleft condition. there has been quite a lot of work done during this period.
extractions, movement and expanding. work still in progress.
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