Braces for kids

[Chirunner]

Definitely better to go to a private orthodontist cos of the flexibility of fixing/changing appointments. Bear in mind that sometimes, the wire moves cos the teeth have moved in between appointments, so it pokes the child and causes ulcers and you would want an appointment quickly to have it trimmed to reduce the discomfort. With a private orthodontist you can do that pretty easily but not with govt clinics. I heard that orthodontic treatments are not subsidised so the charges are not much lower than what private clinics charge. Haven’t checked out myself so I’m not entirely sure. All 3 of my kids went to a private clinic at Raffles City. My youngest just started in Jan and he’s had to go back almost once every 2 weeks cos the wire was bothering him.


I must say that started braces young means the teeth move into position very quickly. His teeth are straight now; he just needs to close the gaps where extractions were done. One of my sons was through with the entire treatment in 10 months. My friends who did theirs in their 40s had to endure 2 years or so of torture. Adult teeth move slower and i’d imagine it would be more painful to force the teeth to move.

[bebe]

I hv just came back from the Dentist…my gal’s upper jaw is kinda shorter…and resulting overcrowding of upper teeth. The dentist referred me to do a private orthodontist to see if braces will help. My gal is currently 9yrs…is it too young to brace up her teeth? Any pte orthodonist to recommend?

[sall]

Hi Bebe,

It’s best to take her to the orthodontist asap. He’ll able to decide whether your child needs braces now. It’s good to start braces young, the teeth can move so fast, and the orthodontist can nip any other problem easily. Choose one near your place for convenience, can go to the orthodontist website where there is a list of qualified orthodontist names and clinic.

[Little M]

bebe:

I hv just came back from the Dentist..my gal's upper jaw is kinda shorter..and resulting overcrowding of upper teeth. The dentist referred me to do a private orthodontist to see if braces will help. My gal is currently 9yrs..is it too young to brace up her teeth? Any pte orthodonist to recommend?

DS has the same problem. Getting his braces fixed in during the March hols. DS is coming to 9 in a few mths. Dentist said he is ok to get braces now as all his milk teeth drop out already.

[bebe]

sall:

Hi Bebe,

It's best to take her to the orthodontist asap. He'll able to decide whether your child needs braces now. It's good to start braces young, the teeth can move so fast, and the orthodontist can nip any other problem easily. Choose one near your place for convenience, can go to the orthodontist website where there is a list of qualified orthodontist names and clinic.

Thanks...do you kmnow of any orthodontist that is child friendly and also pocket ($$) friendly?

[bebe]

Little M:

bebe:

I hv just came back from the Dentist..my gal's upper jaw is kinda shorter..and resulting overcrowding of upper teeth. The dentist referred me to do a private orthodontist to see if braces will help. My gal is currently 9yrs..is it too young to brace up her teeth? Any pte orthodonist to recommend?

DS has the same problem. Getting his braces fixed in during the March hols. DS is coming to 9 in a few mths. Dentist said he is ok to get braces now as all his milk teeth drop out already.

My gal's milk teeth are still there and that is why her perm tooth are growing behind in awkward position. Where is yr boy doing his braces?

[BeContented]

Hi,

Actually my understanding is it’s better to start braces after all their milk teeth have dropped and the adult teeth are out. I wore braces 20+years ago, similarly, waited till 12+ when all my adult teeth are out before I start the treatment.

Now, my son also needs braces. He is 11 and still has many adult teeth not out. 2 weeks ago, we went to an orthodontist (school dentist issued the letter since early last year…so I have already delayed for a year). The recommendation was to wait another 1-2 years for the adult teeth to be out. However due to his one-badly protruding front tooth, we decided to go ahead to fix an interim ‘braces’ to help flatten it slightly - in case he falls again and kill that tooth. But that will not help in the alignment…


Actually, if there is a letter from the school dentist and if it’s not really urgent, you can always go for a first consultation to find out more. Think some of them (NUH, JMC etc) only charge a norminal fee or may even waive the first visit.

[sall]

My dd’s orthodontist said no need to wait for all adult teeth to be out before braces. So dd still has milk teeth and some gaps( adult teeth not out yet) when she first fixed braces. Hospital charges are only slightly cheaper than private. There is no subsidies at all. Most private clinics charge about $4000-4500, unless you go to super high-class ones.

[BeContented]

Actually I'm very curious.....or rather, you can call me skeptical :lol:


How do they actually put braces when the adult teeth are not out? What happens to all the gaps? eg. HxH H=Teeth, X=gap Do they leave the gap alone? So if the teeth starts sprouting in an angle etc, behind other teeth etc etc...how do they deal with it? Aren't they going to keep adjusting and adjusting? I had to extract 9 teeth (4 wisdom, 4 adult & 1 exta by GA).....

Maybe these experts are really good....or maybe they just want to push treatment fast....or maybe, it depends on the severity of the misalignment....I dun know. :?

Must agree, price difference between hospital and private clinic is small these days. Btw, also curious, after treatment starts, every visit (for the normal review and small adjustment to the wires....how much is it for the private?)

[sall]

cwc:

Actually I'm very curious.....or rather, you can call me skeptical :lol:


How do they actually put braces when the adult teeth are not out? What happens to all the gaps? eg. HxH H=Teeth, X=gap Do they leave the gap alone? So if the teeth starts sprouting in an angle etc, behind other teeth etc etc...how do they deal with it? Aren't they going to keep adjusting and adjusting? I had to extract 9 teeth (4 wisdom, 4 adult & 1 exta by GA).....

Maybe these experts are really good....or maybe they just want to push treatment fast....or maybe, it depends on the severity of the misalignment....I dun know. :?

Must agree, price difference between hospital and private clinic is small these days. Btw, also curious, after treatment starts, every visit (for the normal review and small adjustment to the wires....how much is it for the private?)

For HXH, the wire just pass over the X . The adult tooth will come out slowly so since dd has to go back every 4 wk, the orthodontist will know how to adjust, no chance for the new adult tooth to spout anywhere it likes. In dd's case, she doesn't need to extract any adult teeth cos she has braces now, the orthodontist can adjust the teeth so less chance of overcrowding. I dun think any orthodontist will try to speed up treatment to get business, parents are educated and will take action for any bad treatment. For payment in my case, we paid 50% of total cost at 1st fixing of braces, the remaining 50% spread out over 1 year, so every subsequent visit cost abt $180.