Sandy x Braces Diary 我的牙套日记 / 绑牙需知 / Braces Must Know 1
Time really flies as I have wearing braces for over 1 year!
In between this period I actually keep my record on the braces experience in my phone HOWEVER,
I accidentally deleted all the track record 😔
Since then I become lazy and stop updating my braces diary.
Today,,,
I finally make up my mind that I shouldn't find excuses anymore as I can actually continue the diary start from this moment! (At least jot down the things that I remember).
I can only write the process according to phases in my memory.
!!Attention!!
All contents are solely based on my personal experience and survey, the information might be obsoleted or different from yours~ I just hope I could provide some clues for anyone who is interested to wear braces.
Phase 1
Decide what you want
1. Doctor Consultation
do oral cavity checkup, doctor advise whether you're suitable to wear braces. This is the very important session where you should communicate your concern with the Dr.. For example, are you aiming for just neat teeth arrangement? or for appearance improvement purpose?
If you confirm want to undergo orthodontic treatment, Dr. will ask to do x-ray and plaster mold so he can formulate the best treatment plan for you. Because some people may need to remove teeth but some do not, it depends on the patient's requirement and his oral condition. If the patients are having bad oral problem, he may need to correct them first, e.g. severe tooth decay, gums inflammation.
For my case,
As I told in Braces Story 1 my primary concern is to improve face shape,
There are 2 alternatives suitable for me.
Normal teeth structure & Molar teeth to be removed:
FYI,
It's better to make sure all your wisdom teeth has finish grew before starting the orthodontic treatment because if it grows during or after u have done with the braces, it'll affect the arrangement.
For my case, I removed 2 wisdom teeth previously,
therefore the last wisdom teeth have to be removed together.
Q: How I know it's the last?
A: From x-ray.
Therefore on the same day, I visit another dental for removal, as I THOUGHT there'd be cheaper. The reality is NOT.
I have to say that I'll not recommend this dental... ... ...
the doctor changes his face immediately once I tell him the reason to remove the wisdom tooth is to wear braces at another dental. Besides, as I did x-ray from Eric dental, it shows my tooth is straight and healthy, therefore it should be removed as the way of normal teeth removing. However, this time my wound need stitching. To be frank, I suspect the doctor's skill and that's why the wisdom tooth does not come off straightly.
2. There are different types of braces material and method to be selected
(The most expensive to most inexpensive, price according to my survey)
Invasalign (min RM10k)
Clear/ Ceramic (around but within RM10k)
Damon Bracket (depends on orthodontic difficulty, range around RM5k - RM8k)
Traditional Bracket (depends on orthodontic difficulty, range around RM3.5k - RM8k)
I've chosen to go for the Damon bracket,
Advantage of Damon bracket braces are:
- Lesser pain as lesser frictional force cause by teeth moving (metal with metal) compared to the traditional one (metal with rubber)
- Time saving as it's easier for monthly touch-up, and traditional braces might need Dr. appointment twice in a month
FYI
The price different between Bracket and Traditional at my Dental is just RM400, which I think for convenient and less pain purpose it's quiet reasonable.
3. After decided everything, I arrange time for tooth cleaning and on-bracket day (separate appointment)
In between this period I actually keep my record on the braces experience in my phone HOWEVER,
I accidentally deleted all the track record 😔
Since then I become lazy and stop updating my braces diary.
Today,,,
I finally make up my mind that I shouldn't find excuses anymore as I can actually continue the diary start from this moment! (At least jot down the things that I remember).
I can only write the process according to phases in my memory.
!!Attention!!
All contents are solely based on my personal experience and survey, the information might be obsoleted or different from yours~ I just hope I could provide some clues for anyone who is interested to wear braces.
Phase 1
Decide what you want
1. Doctor Consultation
do oral cavity checkup, doctor advise whether you're suitable to wear braces. This is the very important session where you should communicate your concern with the Dr.. For example, are you aiming for just neat teeth arrangement? or for appearance improvement purpose?
If you confirm want to undergo orthodontic treatment, Dr. will ask to do x-ray and plaster mold so he can formulate the best treatment plan for you. Because some people may need to remove teeth but some do not, it depends on the patient's requirement and his oral condition. If the patients are having bad oral problem, he may need to correct them first, e.g. severe tooth decay, gums inflammation.
For my case,
As I told in Braces Story 1 my primary concern is to improve face shape,
There are 2 alternatives suitable for me.
1. No removing of teeth
- estimated time:1 year
- face shape unchanged
2. Remove 2 upper and 2 lower premolar
- estimated time: 2 year
- face shape would improve
- advisable to put the screw on the upper row of teeth to ensure maximum appearance improvement
Normal teeth structure & Molar teeth to be removed:
FYI,
It's better to make sure all your wisdom teeth has finish grew before starting the orthodontic treatment because if it grows during or after u have done with the braces, it'll affect the arrangement.
For my case, I removed 2 wisdom teeth previously,
therefore the last wisdom teeth have to be removed together.
Q: How I know it's the last?
A: From x-ray.
Therefore on the same day, I visit another dental for removal, as I THOUGHT there'd be cheaper. The reality is NOT.
I have to say that I'll not recommend this dental... ... ...
the doctor changes his face immediately once I tell him the reason to remove the wisdom tooth is to wear braces at another dental. Besides, as I did x-ray from Eric dental, it shows my tooth is straight and healthy, therefore it should be removed as the way of normal teeth removing. However, this time my wound need stitching. To be frank, I suspect the doctor's skill and that's why the wisdom tooth does not come off straightly.
2. There are different types of braces material and method to be selected
(The most expensive to most inexpensive, price according to my survey)
Invasalign (min RM10k)
Clear/ Ceramic (around but within RM10k)
Damon Bracket (depends on orthodontic difficulty, range around RM5k - RM8k)
Traditional Bracket (depends on orthodontic difficulty, range around RM3.5k - RM8k)
I've chosen to go for the Damon bracket,
Advantage of Damon bracket braces are:
- Lesser pain as lesser frictional force cause by teeth moving (metal with metal) compared to the traditional one (metal with rubber)
- Time saving as it's easier for monthly touch-up, and traditional braces might need Dr. appointment twice in a month
FYI
The price different between Bracket and Traditional at my Dental is just RM400, which I think for convenient and less pain purpose it's quiet reasonable.
3. After decided everything, I arrange time for tooth cleaning and on-bracket day (separate appointment)
Summary
1) Communicate your concern with the Dr.
- I suggest to consult with several Dr. as different Dr. might have other treatment proposals
- don't fgt to ask about the estimated duration
- also ask abt whether ont to remove the wisdom tooth
- also ask abt whether ont to remove the wisdom tooth
2) Decide braces type, remember to consider your time, functionality and financial ability
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