Braces or Aligners? What Works Best for Teens in Singapore
For students in Singapore exploring orthodontic options, it is important to understand the differences between Invisalign, Damon braces, and traditional metal braces. Each type of treatment has its own considerations in terms of appearance, comfort, maintenance, and affordability. In this article, we compare key factors across these options, helping students and families make an informed choice.
Invisalign for Teens: The Clear, Clean and Comfortable Choice
Invisalign treatment in Singapore involves wearing a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. These custom-made aligners are crafted from clear BPA-free plastic, making them almost invisible when worn. They are removable for eating and for better dental hygiene.
Ideal for:
Teens who value aesthetics and want a discreet orthodontic treatment process.
Students in Singapore who are involved in contact sports or plays music instruments where fixed braces appliances could pose challenges.
Those who desire a more comfortable orthodontic treatment journey.
Key Benefits:
Appearance: Invisalign clear dental braces are virtually invisible as they are transparent and removable.
Comfort: These clear aligners in Singapore provide a gentler experience due to the planned gradual tooth movements for each aligner set.
Oral Hygiene: Students will be able to maintain their oral hygiene more effectively since the aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing.
Dietary Restrictions: There are few to no food restrictions for students using Invisalign as the clear dental aligners are removed during meals.
Follow-up Visits: Invisalign review visits are less frequent as patients are given up to 8 sets of aligners to change on their own every 1-2 weeks. Without dental brackets or wires that may dislodge or cause lip and cheek abrasions easily, the clear dental aligner treatment often requires less emergency dental appointments.
Other Considerations:
Compliance: Clear dental aligner treatment requires the student’s commitment and consistency in wearing the clear dental aligners 20 to 22 hours every day.
Cost: Invisalign cost in Singapore is generally higher than traditional dental braces.
Damon Braces: Clean and Effective, with Aesthetic options available
Damon braces are characterised by a 'sliding door' mechanism which holds the wire passively and allows the wire to move easily with minimal friction.This type of bracket is also known as self-ligating braces, and it eliminates the use of rubber bands to hold the wire in place. This feature of Damon braces potentially helps to shorten student braces treatment time. Damon Clear braces are a type of ceramic braces in Singapore, providing an aesthetic option for students who want to straighten their teeth discretely.
Ideal for:
Students in Singapore with simple to complex dental conditions requiring significant orthodontic work, e.g: severe teeth crowding requiring multiple teeth extractions, dental braces for impacted teeth, or braces combined with jaw surgeries.
Teens who choose to opt for a less noticeable option compared to traditional metal student braces.
Key Benefits:
Efficiency: Some research indicate that Damon braces may be faster at aligning teeth due to the self-ligating design.
Comfort: Compared to traditional braces, Damon self-ligating braces are designed to cause less friction and pressure, making them a more comfortable option.
Aesthetic Options: Teens who prefer less visibility for their braces treatment may choose Damon Clear ceramic braces. The self-ligating braces design reduces the need for elastics ties, which can stain over time.
Hygienic: The reduction of rubber ties reduces the spaces where bacteria can accumulate, making the Damon braces more hygienic and easier to clean.
Compliance: Unlike Invisalign clear aligners, Damon self-ligating braces are fixed to the student’s teeth throughout the whole orthodontic process, so parents do not need to be concerned about their child’s compliance with wearing the appliance.
Other Considerations:
Cost: Damon braces costs more than traditional student braces in Singapore, but is generally less than the Invisalign price.
Dietary Restrictions: Students would need to avoid hard, crunchy foods that can damage the Damon braces.
Metal Braces: The Traditional Solution
Traditional metal braces are the most commonly used type of appliance for orthodontic treatment, and is known for its durability, affordability and effectiveness.
Ideal for:
Patients with simple to complex dental malocclusions.
Students who are looking for a more budget-friendly braces in Singapore.
Teens who enjoy having a variety of colours for their student braces treatment in Singapore.
Key Benefits:
Treatment Capability: Traditional metal braces for students in Singapore is effective in treating a wide range of orthodontic malocclusions, including complex cases.
Cost: The traditional metal braces cost in Singapore is the lowest among the 3 types of orthodontic appliances.
Other Considerations:
Appearance: The metal brackets, wires, and coloured elastic ties are highly visible. The elastic ties may also stain over time.
Oral Hygiene: It would be more challenging for students to maintain cleanliness of their teeth due to the fixed nature of the braces.
Dietary Restrictions: Similar to Damon braces, teens wearing metal braces need to avoid hard, crunchy foods such as nuts and crackers that can dislodge the braces.
Conclusion
When choosing between Invisalign for teens, Damon self-ligating braces, and traditional metal braces, students and their parents should consider their treatment needs, lifestyle and budget. Invisalign clear aligners offer the best aesthetics and convenience, but Invisalign costs are higher and requires good compliance from the teen. Damon braces provide a good balance between traditional braces and Invisalign aligners. Damon braces has reduced visibility, improved cleanliness and comfort compared to traditional braces, and is offered at a lower cost than Invisalign. Traditional metal braces cost the least and is effective for most orthodontic conditions.
Finally, consulting with a qualified orthodontist in Singapore is necessary to provide customised advice to ensure the chosen treatment appliance is suitable for the student’s dental malocclusion. Our team comprising experienced Specialist Orthodontists qualified with Masters Degree in Orthodontics in Singapore will help deliver quality care to you. Our clinic is accredited with the Platinum Elite Invisalign provider status.
