Orthodontists | Braces

[fornight]

Hi,

I need to find a good Orthodontist for 2nd opinion on my dental problem.

An orthodontist is a dental doctor that specialise tooth and bone alignment, therefore they are the only people who can put braces on patients.

My 4 front teeth on my lower jaw have been having gaps among them due to an empty space (extracted tooth - ten yrs ago) on the right hand side of my lower jaw. The previous dental surgeon (in General Hospital) did not highlight that such problem will arise and now I am desperate! The gaps make such an ugly sight when I smile.

My dentist (not orthodontist) told me there are two ways to resolve this.

1. create a bridge to fill up the extracted tooth's space (the space is smaller , costs SGD 1k. Then fill up the 4front teeth's gap with special cement, that will costs total SGD 150 or so. This will take about 2 weeks to complete as the bridge will take 2 weeks to create.

2. use solo braces for my left hand side lower jaw to pull the front teeth more together. This will take a few months and costs a few hundreds. Once the front teeths are neatly back to their original position, the extracted tooth's space will be bigger than now, then put a bridge. Bridge still costs SGD 1k or so. If I don't want a bridge, another alternative is to put implant tooth with roots but implant tooth COSTS SGD 3K EACH!!

In terms of appearance, solution 2 is better as the braces will pull the 4 front teeth neatly together and the space will be big enough to put a normal size bridge.

Solution 1 is not so nice looking as currently the extracted tooth's space is not as big as what it used to be, the bridge will create an abnormally thin and small tooth in it. plus the cement for the gaps will not be as durable too and may require refill after some years.

But solution 1 will take shorter time to rectify. Solution 2 need patience and time for the braces to pull the other teeths. plus for solution 2, I will encounter the normal pains of normal braces user have, even though it is just one solo braces for lower jaw.

I have no idea. He has recommended me a orthodontist for consultation but I was wondering if any cotter has good one to recommend also.

[Summer27]

Hmm.. sounds rather complicating.. My orthodontist is from the National Dental Centre (NDC).. That time, I need to remove 2 top & bottom back teeth and then continue with the normal stuff.. put on the braces..

Perhaps you can go to NDC & check it out 1st..

[fornight]

Does NDC charge for just merely consultation for advice??
What is your orthodontist name?? do you think I should see him/her for advice?

I went to the website and saw that there is a bus interchange in front of the NDC. Does Bus 197,147 and 166 pass by that bus interchange???

I heard NDC has long queue, is it still that bad?? I have my oral surgery of wisdom teeth done in NDC about 10 yrs ago. That time, the service was really bad, had to wait 3 hours for X-ray.

[Pauline]

i was with NDC for 2 years cos' of braces...went for private so the fees are as high as private dentists...the dentists there are really good but if you can find a better private one elsewhere which is more convenient for you...it might be better

you should always call to fix an appt so you don't wait too long...their dentists are always fully booked

my friend went to NUH for her regular ortho and braces...think it's quite good also...you might wanna check it out, HTH!

[Summer27]

Originally posted by fornight
Does NDC charge for just merely consultation for advice??
What is your orthodontist name?? do you think I should see him/her for advice?

I went to the website and saw that there is a bus interchange in front of the NDC. Does Bus 197,147 and 166 pass by that bus interchange???

I heard NDC has long queue, is it still that bad?? I have my oral surgery of wisdom teeth done in NDC about 10 yrs ago. That time, the service was really bad, had to wait 3 hours for X-ray.

Hmm... What a long list of questions... I shall do my best to answer all of them..

1) Does NDC charge for just merely consultation for advice??
What is your orthodontist name?? do you think I should see him/her for advice?

Since it has being so long since I visited my orthodontist, I already forgot the 1st time, how's the charges like.. I just remembered the first time i went to NDC, i asked for a female orthodontist. Her name is Johanna Choo. Then I was later asked to see her.. She checked my teeth and tell me how's my condition & tell me how the charges will be like.. Most probably, you will need to go see her first, then she will tell you more about the things you wanna know..

2) Does Bus 197,147 and 166 pass by that bus interchange???

I always take a train to outram park.. So don't really know about the buses that pass there. Sorry.. Can't help you here :sotong:

3) I heard NDC has long queue, is it still that bad??

During my time, there was a private & public system.. For that public system, you need to book 1st & wait for several years for your turn to do the braces.. Because of this reason, I chose the private system which needs NO waiting time & of course more expensive.. Thinks a $1000 more..

Hope all these will help you...
If you still need any information on it, feel free to ask me again..

[keiko]

i went to a private orthodontist. he's the only one that i've gone to so there's no basis of comparison. i think he's ok....patient, gentle, bothers to explain.

He moves around several branches of the dental group. he is more frequently stationed at clementi these days. i don't think i'll post the clinic's contact number here. let me know if u are interested.

[satinchris]

Originally posted by fornight
Does NDC charge for just merely consultation for advice??
What is your orthodontist name?? do you think I should see him/her for advice?

I went to the website and saw that there is a bus interchange in front of the NDC. Does Bus 197,147 and 166 pass by that bus interchange???

197 should go that way. Coz this bus goes to chinatown too. Can check it out at the website.

[fornight]

I went to see my dentist's recommended orthodontist last night.

SOB@!!!!!!

He said I have a HUGE gum problem, considering I am only 20++. I have been having this gum infection on for a VERY LONG TIME, a year or so. The gum has been swelling on and off for this whole year. He strongly suggest I fix my gum first before thinking of going for any braces or implants or bridges.

He told me frankly, if he is talking like a businessman, he will fix me braces immediately to earn $$ but it will make all my teeth to fall out in future. Gum means foundation so it is more upmost important to fix it. Plus he has noticed one of the inside tooth has already been too deeply infected by the gum virus that it is a GONER!!! VERY LOOSE!!!

He suggest that I go back to see my dentist to do a very deep cleaning and healing of the gums (take 4 visits). This treatment will require numbing of the gums so that the dentist can go all the way inside the gum to heal the roots, not a surgery though.

He told me once the gums are fully healed and strong again, then even if the "goner" tooth drop out, he can still help me with braces to close the gap. If I don't fix the gum virus, it will spread to other healthy teeth, like SARS he describe.

SOB!!!!! I regret not going to see dentist when the swelling kept coming back. I *** I was just heaty plus I am VERY VERY Scared of Dentist (after my experience with Sec Sch House Dentist/Nurse, super fierce). I have already fixed an apptm with my dentist for my first gum treatment (each visit costs SGD 90!!).

The orthodontist also said if eventually my gums are healed and he think it is safe to put on braces (top and bottom rows of teeth), it will costs about SGD 4k (including 20+ mth of tightening). I think I have to start "eating bread and water" from now on to save up that kind of $$$!!!

He told me not to worry about age as his oldest patient is about 85 and she is wearing braces. He also have 40+ patient who has the worse gum problem as mine (10 teeth also dangerously loose) and she is undergoing treatment now.

[Medusa]

Bf's dad had serious gum problems (supposedly stayed in Thailand or Indonesia a period of time and ate dunno what which corrodes), all teeth removed for dentures.
My gums also not very healthy so I'm also worried about this matter, anyway my dentist just exclaimed that my teeth are moving all over the place AFTER he REMOVED my braces, I almost cried on the spot when he said retainers won't help, I might have to do braces again Not recommending him to you, ***!

I read that Black Oolong tea helps in gum inflammation/ disease (it kills bacteria), you might want to gargle with UNSWEETENED version every morning and night. Might stain your teeth though, since tea stains.

[fornight]

My orthodontist told me he had this patient who has gum problem and still do.

This patient was once another orthodontist's patient. But this doctor already closed down so she has no choice but to see a new orthodontist.

When my orthodontist saw her, he asked why her ex doctor put her thru braces. The reason he asked because it is quite obvious that this girl has gum problem for long long years. Even though she wore the braces for so long, once the braces were taken out, the teeth will continue to move. Worse still, many of them are already loosen. That's why he told me it is EXTREMELY important to heal the gum first or else, you waste all your $$ and time and pain going thru' the braces.

Maybe you should also be like me, concentrate on healing the gum first. That is my upmost prority now.

I have bought a bottle of gum protection rinse in the office so that I can rinse my mouth after lunch. Also bought myself sensodyne toothpaste.

[Summer27]

You are really a brave gal!! But think of those beautiful teeth you will have in the future, all the pain are worth it..

[fornight]

I have no choice. unless I wish to have holes/gap among my rows of teeth or willing to lost all my teeth before 40 yrs old....

I only regret not going to see the dentist early when I have this swelling etc.........

Therefore cozycotters, a word of advice, don't take your teeth for granted!!!

[ryl]

the one i go to is pretty good.. her name is Dr. Buay at parkway parade. i am no too sure what is the unit number (dont have her card with me) but its located right upstairs of parkway. go up to the top floor (where jean yip is) and turn left, walk straight and keep a look out for her place..

shes really good and if she can't help you, she will recommend a specialist too.. give it a try..

[esabelle]

Abit out of topic. But i once had a dream that all my teeth dropped because i didn't brush my teeth everynight. Though its just a dream, i have began to take more care of my teeth after that because i'm so scare... :roll:

[Summer27]

Originally posted by esabelle
Abit out of topic. But i once had a dream that all my teeth dropped because i didn't brush my teeth everynight. Though its just a dream, i have began to take more care of my teeth after that because i'm so scare... :roll:

I heard those old sayings that if you dream of teeth dropping off, its a bad omen.. how true it is, guess have to depend on oneself..