Embrace Dental Clinic: Self-Ligating Braces

My first trip to EmBrace was back in March 24 straight after my pre-wedding photoshoot from Taiwan.

It was a very quick and professional procedure done by Dr Tan. He fixed everything in less than an hour (without teeth extraction). Till date, I have NO ulcers and significant pain caused by my braces at all. Oh ya! Dr Tan did not fix in separators for me which I heard it's the main cause of pain during the initial stage. He is a very nice and caring dentist.

1. Quick scaling and polishing of teeth

2. Glue and fix the brackets

3. Used some lights to fix the brackets

4. Fix in the wire

5. Guidance on how to brush and handle the braces in various situations.

6. Good to go!

Free braces' toothbrush and wax before I leave! :D

Usual yet useful tips from dentists/ex-braces wearers:

Don't (s)

- Eat nuts or crunchy stuff 

- Eat chocolates, melt it in your mouth if you really want to

- Eat curry as it will stain your coloured bands (For traditional metal braces wearers)

Do (s)

- Take some time to get used

- Use wax if the braces hurts you (I've got no ulcers from braces at all)

- Take time to brush your teeth well (Although I'm quite lazy)

Pros

- I don't have to spend time choosing the colour of the band every visit

- The braces is not as noticeable than metal braces

- According to online sources, self-ligating braces is able to move freely with less applied force due less friction by the elimination of "ties".

- Shorter treatment length

- Less food trapping

- Better oral health as it is much easier to clean

Cons

- Slightly more costly than traditional braces

Photo taken right after my 1st visit

Ignore my frizzy hair after lying on the dental bed. :D

This is how my braces look like on the first day 

(with wax on it to prevent abrasion and for me to adapt to extra "stuff" on my teeth)

3 weeks after teeth-extraction (4 molars)

1 month after teeth-extraction (4 molars)

p.s. Sorry for the low resolution of photos as I used my iPhone to take them. I don't have a good camera! :(

The price he quoted me is $4,500 for the full package (including everything, simple teeth extractions, light scaling and polishing, x-ray, mould, photos, retainers, etc). It's very worth it considering it's location at Orchard and treatment from an Orthodontist!

The first time I went for consultation + mould + x-ray, I paid $200.

The second time I went to put on braces, I paid $1,500.

The third time onwards will be $150 each visit.