1) At what age can my child start to wear braces?

Ans: Generally, treatment can commence after your child's "baby" teeth have dropped out, usually at around 12 years of age. However, some children may require interventive treatment at a younger age.

2) My dentist wants to extract my teeth before starting orthodontic treatment. He says that extraction is necessary. Is that true?

Ans: Extraction of teeth is necessary when there is insufficient space to align teeth. However, whether to extract teeth or not is on a case-by-case basis. The dentist will need to perform a proper examination to arrive at a decision.

3) I am keen on wearing braces but want to know how long i have to wear the braces for?

Ans: The duration of orthodontic treatment varies according to severity and complexity of the case. In general, adult patients require 2 to 2.5 years to complete braces. Treatment duration for teenagers is slightly shorter at 1.5 to 2 years.

4) Beside braces, are there any alternatives for me to straighten my teeth?

Ans: For patients who are unwilling to wear braces, dental procedures like tooth colored bonding fillings and aesthetic veneers can help correct malaligned, crooked teeth. Both procedures are becoming increasingly popular with patients as they are aesthetically pleasing and can be completed in a shorter time as compared to wearing braces.

5) I recently heard of a new form of treatment called Invisalign that can align teeth without the need of wearing braces!

Ans: Yes, Invisalign is an alternative to putting on brackets. The system relies on removable, transparent aligners to move teeth. Patients have to wear the removable aligners for a minimum of 22 hours daily to achieve good results. A proper examination by your dentist is required to ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign.