ACHIEVABLE STRAIGHT, NEAT TEETH FOR EVERYONE, AT ANY AGE.
Monthly pedicure and manicure, check. Facial, check. Bikini wax, check. But when it comes to our pearly whites, things get relegated to that once-a-year dental visit. And when we do focus on our teeth, we tend to zero in on the “white” aesthetics, that is, the appearance of our teeth, “We don’t realize that ‘red’ aesthetics (referring to the health and appearance of the gums) are equally important,” says Dr Christina Sim, senior consultant from the department of restorative dentistry at the National Dental Centre. So if you’re shopping for dental procedures that will give you a winsome smile, make sure that your gums are shipshape first. Meanwhile, here’s our guide to various prodecures that will solve your woes.
#1 Mild tooth misalignment, mild to moderate overbite
Solution: Invisalign
Unlike traditional braces, the aligners are made of transparent plastic, so you don’t look like you have a mouth full of metal when you smile. First, a computer is used to determine the new position of your teeth, explains Dr Ronnie Yap, dentist at Orchard Scotts Dental. A series of customized aligners, which look like tooth-whitening trays, are produced from this 3-D depiction. Each aligner is worn to shift the teeth gradually into their position and it is replaced every two weeks or so with a new one until the final position of the teeth is achieved, says Dr Yap. “ At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage,” he says. The treatment can range from six months to two years, and costs start from $8500.
Pros: Eating and drinking are not a problem as you can remove the aligners. They are also comfortable as there isno wire or bracket that may irritate your mouth. Plus, you don’t have to use special dental products; just rinse the aligners in water to clean them.
Cons: The cost of Invisalign is almost twice that of traditional braces. Also, they only work when you wear them, so you need discipline to put them on after meals. Invisalign is not recommended for patients with complex tooth misalignment and for closing gaps from teeth extraction.
#2 Crooked teeth, severe underbite or overbite
Solution: Braces
Braces, consisting of brackets, are bonded to the teeth; arch wires or elastic bands are then threaded through brackets to guide each to its proper position. There are several types of braces available, including the traditional metal braces, ceramic “tooth-coloured” braces and clear plastic ones. You are required to return for checks every two to six weeks, says Dr Ivan Lim, consultant at the National Dental Centre. This can range from $3000 to $8000.
Pros: With ceramic and plastic braces now available. The metal mouth look is a thing of the past. Furthermore, you can choose from a wide range of colours for your brackets and elastic bands. Braces are still the most common method to straighten teeth and correct problems like an overbite or open bite.
Cons: After the braces come off, retainers have to be worn all the time for about a year and subsequently, only at night, to maintain your teeth’s new position. Generally, food which are hard and require much chewing (like peanuts and gum) should be avoided. To clean teeth, use a special toothbrush from pharmacy or burshes with soft bristles. The other downside: The wires may cause ulcers but patients can apply soft wax to the wires to lessen the irritation, says Dr Lim.
#3 Missing Teeth
Solution: Implants
First, an artificial root for each implant is inserted into the jawbone under local anesthesia and using keyhole surgery. The patient is sent home to recover and returns about 10 weeks later. Meanwhile, the replacement teeth are crafted using titanium to fit nicely with the artificial root. Titanium is used as it has a unique ability to bond well with the jawbone. Artificial teeth, made to look like the real thing in terms of colour, shape and position, are capped onto titanium bits. Once the “teeth” are ready, they’re fitted into the patient’s mouth. The complete treatment for each dental implant can range from $3500 to $5000.
Pros: A denture only provides up to 25 percent of your natual bite force, while with dental implants, the bite force is close to that of your natural teeth. Also, there is no plastic flange (extension) that covers part of your palate or gums. Some clinics like the Specialist Dental Group offer Teeth-an-Hour implants that allow you to replace up to 28 teeth in an hour. There are fewer treatment visits to make, and less discomfort and swelling. In fact, the majority of patients are able to resume most of their activities on the same day.
Cons: In complicated cases, where advanced surgical procedures are required, bone grafting, nerve displacement and multiple implants may be done.
#4 Yellow Stained Teeth
Solution: Laser Teeth Whitening
First, a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth. Soft tissues like your lips will be covered with a layer of gel to protect them from stinging. Then, depending on the brand of the light-activating system used, a laser, plasma arc light, halogen light or metal halide light is focused on one tooth at a time. This breaks down the bleaching agent into its reactive components and sends them to work on whitening your teeth. According to Dr Ernest Rex Tan, director of Smile Inc Dental Surgeons, laser-whitening systems boast a higher intensity and can achieve up to 15 shades of white. With proper care and regular dental checks, your new smile could last three to five years. The treatment is safe even for those with weak gums since the laser only targets the teeth and avoids contact with your gum. The treatment will set you back by about $1500 to $2500.
Pros: Unlike take-home whitening kits, where you require at least two weeks for results to be seen, some procedures merely require 45 minutes to an hour for immediate results. Tooth sensitivity is also low because the treatment is targeted at each tooth. With proper care, your whitened teeth will also last longer than an off-the-shelf whitening kit.
Cons: Compared to DIY whitening kits, laser procedures done at a clinic can cost five times more.
Read article clipping.