FAQs: Braces and Invisalign

Hello darlings! I feel like a Ms. Braces because there are a lot inquiries ever since I posted this last year. So I'll write a clearer review about my experience on getting a braces. I had my braces removed in 2009, which is quite a long time ago, I will try to recall everything.

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Let's begin with braces.

1. Where do you do your braces?

Miri. Dr. Aziz +6085 427 263.
Location: Lot 442, 1st Floor, Jalan Bendahara. Near Mega hotel, near traffic light, green building. 

2. The process.

First, call and make appointment with them instead of going there straight because the doctor's schedule could be full, in the end, you still need to make an appointment. 

2nd, tell them you wanna do braces. They will schedule you for x-ray and have your tooth pull out (if necessary). Then they will start installing the braces for you which are all on the SAME day. 

3rd, you need to go to Dr Aziz every month to adjust your teeth regularly till your braces are fit to remove. 

Lastly, you need to go there for regular check up every month, and then every 3 month, and every 6 month to make sure your teeth is well maintained (This check-up is free, I guess for life? Because I don't go back anymore for the check-up). 

3. Is it pain?

No at all. The doctor is good. I didn't feel any pain having my teeth pull out when I'm a person who cry when I have injection. The braces is not painful either.

But you will feel a bit tight for 2-3 days. You only can eat soft foods like porridge for that few days. 

4. For how long do I need to wear the braces?

I had mine 1.5 to 2 years. Longer if yours are serious. But average 2 years.

5. How much does it cost?

For lower and upper teeth, braces costs around RM3k-4k. 

6. How to pay?

You can pay by installment. Firstly, you need to pay certain amount which I forgot how much, could be few hundreds or a thousand. After that by installment which is around RM100-300 every month. 

7. How much does it cost in Brunei government hospital?

It's free and you need to Q.

8. How much does it cost in Brunei private clinics?

Brunei private clinics are not allowed to do braces. You only can do it either at Government hospital or JPMC.

9. How much does it cost at JPMC?

Around BND3k. 

After my braces are removed, I was given a metal retainer and invisalign to maintain the shape. You can use either one. Retainer is adjustable while invisalign has a fix shape. 

10. Do I need to wear retainer/invisalign everyday?

Yes, I guess you need to wear it for life. The teeth somehow would go a bit out of shape if you don't wear it. When I wear it after two days of not wearing it, I feel my teeth is a bit tight.

From what I read in articles, invisalign can adjust your teeth. However, Dr. Aziz and my dentist at JPMC told me otherwise. Invisalign can't adjust your teeth, but a metal retainer can. I'm not sure is it because they don't have this technology yet or we have misunderstood from the adverts but this is what two dentists told me.

So, regarding Invisalign:

11. What's invisalign for?

To maintain your teeth shape.

12. Can my teeth be adjusted just by wearing invisalign?

No.

13. How much does it cost in Miri?

RM400 each. A total of RM800 if you do upper and lower teeth. 

If you do braces, the cost of invisalign and retainer will be included in the package of RM3k-4k. 

14. How much does it cost in JPMC?

around BND 150-250 each. 

Lastly,

15. Should I do braces?

When you start to think about this, then I guess you should. You will look better with tidy teeth :)

16. I'm not young like a teenager anymore, should I still do?

Just do it la.

17. Will I look ugly?

No, you won't. You will look even great after the braces are removed. You will smile confidently :)

Hope this helps. xoxo