Brace yourself! You are about to be hit by the most comprehensive braces guide in Malaysia. After reading this guide, you will be armed with the knowledge that might even surprise your orthodontist! You will get to learn the types of braces available, their pros and cons, and what is their estimated price range. At PolicyStreet, we want our readers to get the best possible options made available to them regardless of their budget.
Table of Contents
- What are braces and why should you get them?
- What is the best age to get braces?
- Types Of Braces in Malaysia and How much they cost?
- Questions to ask your orthodontist (Adult)
- Questions to ask your orthodontist (Children)
What are braces? And why should you get them?
Braces are dental tools that are used to straighten or move your teeth by exerting constant pressure over a period of time (usually 1 to 3 years). It forces your teeth to shift gradually from their starting position to the desired alignment. As your teeth move, your jaw will adjust accordingly to the movement of your teeth. In a more severe case, braces alone are unable to shift the jaws. That is when the orthodontist will suggest the usage of headgear.
Why do you need braces?
Nowadays, getting braces is commonly known for aesthetic purposes, and some may find it as a costly expense that is not worth doing so. But there are underlying oral health benefits of getting your braces done and especially if you have the following oral health issues:
1. Severe Malocclusion
A severe form of misalignment of teeth causes bite problems also known as overbite or underbite. Overbites occur when your upper teeth overlap considerably with the lower teeth where underbite occurs vice versa. If left uncorrected, it will cause long-term oral health problems.
2. Having trouble chewing or taking care of your teeth
When you chew or bite the food with misaligned teeth, uneven pressure is applied, it can lead to TMJ Dysfunction (pain in your jaw joint and muscle that controls jaw movement). There will be difficulty in taking care of your oral health when the teeth are misaligned. If you fail to maintain your oral hygiene, you’re more likely to develop cavities, which incur additional expense for a root canal treatment or tooth replacement.
3. Affected speech due to misaligned teeth (lisp)
In some cases, misalignment of the teeth causes gaps between teeth. The air can escape while we try to pronounce words that require you to press your tongue against your teeth, resulting in a whistling sound. Thankfully, this medical condition (lisp) can be treated throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Now that you know the oral health benefits of having braces but is there an age limit to get braces?
The best age to get braces is…
None! It’s never too late to get braces. In fact, Romulus Picciotti is the oldest person to get braces at 89 years old! He may not have been recognised in the official Guinness world record. At least he won himself a nice pair of teeth.
For children, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist by the time they reach the age of seven. Even if they have not lost all their baby teeth, this is the age where the most common orthodontic problems will become noticeable. The goal is to prevent further orthodontic problems and set up a better environment for the permanent teeth to grow in.
For older individuals over fifty, there are clear benefits of having braces. As we get older, there will be a gradual loss of collagen, especially type XVII collagen. This collagen is the key aspect for the enamel formation of your teeth, lack of it can cause the malformation of the teeth (it may move and become loose or crooked). If this happens to you, there is no shame in getting a brace especially when it comes to your oral health!
Interested now? Let’s dive into the option available in Malaysia!
Types Of Braces in Malaysia and How much they cost?
Braces has been around since the 18th century, by now we still have a very common perception of someone wearing braces. If the person decides to go for orthodontic treatment, they will have metal wire wrapping their teeth along with a small metal brittle that holds the teeth together. But modern orthodontics has long grown past just metal wire and brittle and now we have a few options available that are less noticeable for the wearer.
Conventional Braces / Metal Braces
These are the most traditional and common braces worn by Malaysians. As you expected, it involves metal archwires, brackets, and colourful elastic bands called modules. The procedure is fairly simple, the orthodontist will place and glued the bracket on the front of your tooth, the archwire is used to threaded through each of the brackets and the modules hold them together. After the procedure, you need to periodically visit your orthodontist for a review, only then he/she can change or tighten the wire to move your teeth
Pros: This type of braces is the most affordable of them all and if you choose to get your braces with the government, you can get it done within RM1000! Also, metal braces are durable, they treat faster and require less time compared to other less visible types. They are usually used for complicated cases due to their effectiveness.
Cons: Metal braces are very noticeable and for someone who is physically active, they can hurt the inside of your mouth by rubbing it. At worst, it can cause an ulcer and makes brushing teeth even more difficult.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Government | RM1,000 |
| Private | RM3,700 – RM9,000 |
| Public University | RM1,500 – RM6,000 |
| Private University | RM2,000 – RM7,000 |
| Military | RM700 |
Self Ligating Braces / 2nd Generation Braces
The appearance of this brace is very similar to the conventional braces but with one key difference. Instead of using elastic bands or modules, the bracket has a built-in small clipper or latch to hold on to the archwires. With no elastic band to hold them in place, the wire can slide back and forth and reduce friction between the teeth.
Pros: This type of braces is more comfortable and they produce faster results since the teeth can move more freely. Additionally, this brace gradually tightens over time on its own without intervention which means no frequent visit is required!
Cons: They are considered as one of the expensive types of braces.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Private | RM7,000 – RM12,000 |
| Private University | RM8,000+ |
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are one of the less noticeable types of braces. Technically, they function on the same principles as metal braces, the main difference is the material of the bracket. Ceramic brackets can be transparent or the colour of your teeth, along with the transparent archwires, makes the brace even less noticeable. This bracket is available for self-ligating braces as well.
Pros: They work just like metal braces and a lot less noticeable. It is an ideal option for you if you don’t want others to notice.
Cons: They are more expensive than metal braces and could stain over time if no proper care is in place. They are not as sturdy as metal brackets and more susceptible to chip or fracture. If rough sport is part of your activities, it is recommended to get metal brackets instead.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Private | RM8,000 – RM10,000 |
| Private University | RM10,000+ |
Lingual Braces
We are used to seeing braces on the front of the teeth but a lingual brace is done reversely by placing it at the back. On plain sight, nobody would notice you wearing a brace at all! But it comes with a hefty cost because the brackets need to be customised for each patient. The work is delicate and more time-consuming than conventional brace that also incurs higher service costs.
Pros: It is great for those who want to straighten their teeth without the brace showing. If you are an athlete or musician that plays wind instruments, lingual braces are much easier to adapt compared to other braces.
Cons: One of the most expensive types of braces in Malaysia. Not for children and someone with small teeth or severe bite problems. Discomfort due to close placement to your tongue and at worst, it may cause tongue ulcers. They may give you a temporary speech impediment but it will resolve once you adapt to it.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Private | RM16,000 – RM18,000 |
Clear Aligner / Invisalign
A clear aligner is a type of invisible braces that utilise 3D printing technology to mould the plastic aligner to fit into your teeth and guide their movement to the desired position. The main feature of this brace is that they are removable! Awesome, right? You can eat and brush your teeth normally without hassle. The catch is you need to wear them for 20 to 22 hours for them to be effective.
Once you start orthodontic treatment with a clear aligner, you need to change your aligner every 2-3 weeks to progressively move your teeth. Depending on how well the teeth respond, the number of aligners you need can range from 18 to 30, which explains the expensive price tag.
Pros: They are invisible, removable and it is easier to take care of your teeth. Not to mention, the most comfortable braces among all the options!
Cons: They are expensive – the most expensive brace available in Malaysia. Require good compliance and discipline to wear a clear aligner. They don’t work for severe cases like overbite and underbite.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Private | RM10,000 – RM25,000 |
Retainer (After taking off your braces)
The battle is not over yet after you take off your brace. Your teeth might still move back to their former position and this is natural. To prevent it from moving, the only way is to have your retainer on. Depending on each patient, orthodontists can offer two types of retainer, fixed or removable. If you tend to forget or your teeth are more prone to move, a fixed retainer is the best option for you. Otherwise, you can go for the removable retainer but you need to have it on full time for the next six to nine months except when you eat or clean your teeth.
After months have passed, you can cut back on wearing the retainer full time to only when you sleep at night with the approval of your orthodontist. When do you really stop wearing the retainer? Never, you probably have to wear your retainer for the rest of your life. As long as we are alive, our jaws and teeth are still able to move. Rather than going through the whole brace process again, it is still better to wear your retainer instead.
| Type of Clinic | Average Cost Estimated |
|---|---|
| Government | RM200 |
| Private | RM500 – RM1,000 |
| Public University | RM400 |
| Private University | RM100 – RM500 |
| Military | RM200 |
To prepare you before meeting your orthodontist. Here are a few questions that you can ask!
Question to ask your orthodontist before treatment (Adults)
1) What are all of my options?
Depending on the problem you are trying to fix, you could have many options available or none at all. You should discuss with your orthodontist which course of treatment is best suited for you and your needs!
2) Can you show me examples of similar cases?
Getting a brace is a big step for most of us and we want to make sure the orthodontist that we engage is capable of handling your case. During the consultation, you can ask for pictures, videos, or other examples of previous cases they’ve successfully treated. For this reason, almost all orthodontists have examples of several before and after shots.
3) What lifestyle changes will I need to make?
Depending on the severity of the case and the type of braces you chose, your orthodontist will give you advice on how to take care of your brace, cleaning your teeth, the type of food or physical activities to avoid. The goal is to make sure you achieve the best possible outcome and avoid costly repair from damaging your brace.
4) What happens if my treatment runs over my estimated time?
Usually, your orthodontist will give an estimated time on how long the treatment lasts. However, it also depends on how well your teeth respond. If the treatment lasts longer than the estimated time, you can ask your orthodontist how they would incur the extra cost for the additional treatment.
5) Can I whiten my teeth during ortho treatment?
Most orthodontists would recommend doing it before or after your orthodontic treatment but some dental clinics do whitening services as well. So, you can have treatment and whitening done together during your visit.
Question to ask your orthodontist before treatment (Children)
1) What age can my child begin orthodontic treatment?
Every child is unique and the same goes for their orthodontic problem. But they can start seeing an orthodontist by the age of seven. During the consultation, the orthodontist would advise when your child should begin the treatment and the preparation require beforehand.
2) How can we maintain my child’s oral hygiene when wearing braces?
Taking care of your child’s oral hygiene is critical for the success of the orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist will guide you and your children on the necessary measures to take care of your child’s teeth. They would also recommend different types of products for easier cleaning of the teeth.
3) What if my child’s oral hygiene is really bad during treatment?
Depending on the severity of the case, the orthodontist would advise and offer alternatives on how you can take care of your child’s oral hygiene. If the issue persists, the orthodontist would stop the treatment and remove their braces until they can review the case again before starting a new treatment.
4) What should I do if my child has an accident or injuries?
Every dental clinic has different measures of handling cases like accidents or injuries. It’s best to get a clear instruction from the orthodontist, you will be prepared and able to take action immediately in case of an unfortunate incident.
5) Which Orthodontic Treatments Are Necessary & Which Are Optional?
If you find the treatment cost is way over your budget, it is best to consult your orthodontist. They will tell you the minimum needed to improve your child’s oral health. If it is still over your budget, you always have the choice of getting your child’s orthodontic treatment done with the government!
Hey, you reach the end! Do you have a clear understanding of braces now? Which braces would you choose? No matter what your choice is, just know that each braces have their pros and cons, their cost varies as well. Pick one that suits you the most!
