It has been more than a year since I had my braces done at Dr Alfred Cheng @ Mount Elizabeth Hospital. I did not bother to update the blog because I have been really busy with school, work and other commitments. There have been a couple of people who asked whether my underbite has been resolved. I am still on my braces but I can safely say that nobody can tell I used to have an underbite now.
Reading the old entries and comments here made me recall how confused I was about my options and how I googled like crazy to find out more. You are probably here for the same reason and I hope I can help in someway :)
Pre-braces after A Levels (My upper set of teeth has multiple tooth gaps. Underbite does not show in photos because I learnt how to smile without it showing :> You can tell I have an underbite issue if you talk to me in real life.)
This was in late 2012/early 2013. Dr Cheng has successfully pushed my upper set forward. He does this by 'widening' my upper jaw. There were a few months when my tooth gap became more obvious (you can tell from the sides). The tooth gap in the front upper has closed completely.
Dec 2013 - Smiling without showing my braces. I like smiling showing my teeth but braces make me look really kiddy D:
November 2013 - I was with my best friend at Strictly Pancakes. You can tell that the gaps are much better compared to late 2012/early 2013 photo. However, I do have an acrylic tooth on my right side (befoer I go for my tooth implant).
December 2013 - Right after my appointment. A phone screenshot because I have deleted this photo from my CameraRoll already ;P My right gap became more obvious because I have been skipping appointments >:( However, when I asked Dr Cheng about it, he said that it is just part of the process of widening the jaw. Told me to be patient and it won't be there eventually. I just have to trust him.
Looking back, I would recommend braces treatment as early as possible. There are installment plans which makes it less draining on your family financials. Though I question my decision occasionally, (after all the underbite does not show in pictures), I know that I will keep thinking What If? if I didn't do it. With regards to the pain factor, it isn't that bad. A little tightening effect after each monthly appointment that's all. Nothing unbearable!
P.S. The tooth gap issue is unique to me because I have hypodontia. I still need to do a tooth implant afterwards (4K *cries*) after my braces. It is supposed to be 2 for perfection. But I cannot justify 8K for perfection...
I think Dr Cheng has increased the prices of his braces services (based on the price that the dental assistant is quoting to the other patients when I was in my last appointment).
If any of you still have any questions about orthodontic treatment or underbite (I know the information is SUPER SCARCE on the Internet), feel free to leave a comment or just ask me at http://ask.me/llacedup!
ADVICE:
1. Do it early once you have the money
2. DO NOT SKIP your appointments (The reason why I have not removed my braces yet) Your teeth will move and effectively, you are just undo-ing and redo-ing all your progress.
3. I won't recommend jaw surgery (10K) unless your condition is really SEVERE.
(If any of you are still keen, I can ask someone who is doing at 2K+ how he got it)
