Q: Braces vs. Aligners - Which is a better fit for you?

 A: If you would like straight teeth, we provide several options for our patients to choose from: brackets (traditional metal or ceramic) or aligners. Conventional brackets (braces) are glued onto your teeth and arch wires are used to adjust each tooth gradually into its desired position. Clear aligners are thin, removable trays custom-made to fit your teeth, and a series of aligners are required to move the teeth into the ideal positions. Aligners are typically worn for 20-22 hours per day and changed weekly, depending on case complexity. Each option has its pros and cons in terms of ease of maintenance, comfort, costs, appearance, diet and discipline required. 

Both aligners and braces are suitable for all ages, from children with “baby teeth” to teens to working adults to the elderly. As every patient is unique with his/her set of teeth and needs, your orthodontist will recommend the most suitable appliance for you.

Aligners Pros

    • More aesthetic
    • Less risk of ulcers from wires 
    • Fewer emergencies
    • Longer appointment intervals
    • Facilitates oral hygiene maintenance
    • Fewer dietary restrictions
    • Good for individuals active in contact sports

Aligners Cons

    • Motivation needed in wearing and taking care of aligners 

    • Complex cases may require a hybrid approach (braces on selected teeth)food and drinks

    • Can’t choose colours for different festive seasons!

Share your concerns with your orthodontist to better understand which option is best suited for you or your child! 

Dr Soh Shean Han is an Orthodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Orthodontics from University of Washington-Health Sciences School of Dentistry, USA. Dr Soh is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. She is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with National University of Singapore and a Visiting Associate Consultant at National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore. Dr Soh has a special interest in orthodontics and dental public health.

http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

A community garden by students, for students at Canadian International School

Can you tell that this lush community garden at CIS used to be an empty rooftop? The amazing transformation is all thanks to the hard work of their secondary students, alongside staff and parent volunteers. In this outdoor learning space, students will get to explore and apply learning in a hands-on environment, while developing resilience and problem solving skills as they continue to grow the garden.

This project all began when a grade 8 team decided to make a positive change in the school community after learning about climate change during an interdisciplinary unit. Once their design was complete, other students volunteered their breaks to help realise their vision.

Under the guidance of teachers and a team of experts from Corridor Farmers, some put their new landscaping knowledge to work while others contributed their diverse skills. For instance, Annabel C, grade 11, leveraged her passion in carpentry and built a trough that made transporting soil more efficient.

Grade 8 student Mihika, who documented the garden’s progress as part of the media team, shared some challenges they faced; “Sometimes, it rains really hard and the plants get 

over-watered, and we have to cancel the sessions. Sometimes, it's so hot that it gets hard to work in the sun!”

With perseverance and teamwork, the students succeeded in bringing the garden to life. Even so, their journey has only just started. They will soon plan to harvest the fruits of their labour, collaborate with local organisations, and support the wider community beyond CIS.

If you would like to learn more about CIS’ curriculum and programmes, visit their website: www.cis.edu.sg

Canadian International School Music Students Contribute to Worldwide Exemplar

Using electronic synthesisers and traditional instruments, 6 grade 11 music students from the Canadian International School (CIS) created a unique composition piece in just 2 weeks. Their work was part of a larger collaborative composition, ‘A Postcard of 

Singapore’, which will be used as the worldwide exemplar for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) Music component ‘The Contemporary Music Maker’!

So how did this composition come to be? The students — Abby C, Xiaoyu J, Kiana K, Zijian L, Vivienne S, and Yuyao W — shared that it was a field trip to Chinatown that inspired them. As part of their research, they had interviewed an elderly shop owner, who shared how Chinatown has changed over the years. 

Realising that traditions seem to be fading away in modern society, the students decided to highlight the importance of keeping traditions alive by incorporating both traditional and modern elements into their musical piece. Their team spirit and creativity inspired them and they completed the piece in just over 2 weeks.

At a weekend workshop, students collaborated with fellow musicians from other IB schools to further refine their group pieces. The CIS student team provided an innovative contribution to the final creative exemplar, which will be shared with IB schools internationally.

Interested to learn more about CIS’s curriculum and programmes? Join their next Open House on 5 October. You will meet academic leaders, teachers and the experts behind innovative programmes, including STEAM and their award-winning bilingual Chinese-English programme. 

Register now to secure your spot. 

www.cis.edu.sg/admissions/open-house

Ask the Dentist: Is there an age limit to braces?

 

Many adults tend to have a mindset that they are too old for braces or are afraid of the discomfort and embarrassment of wearing braces at their age. However, it is increasingly common to notice adults wearing braces to achieve a healthy and attractive smile.

While there is no age limit to having braces, it is generally recommended to be done during pre-teens to early teens as the jaws and teeth are growing and are more conducive to correction. Most patients have to wear full braces between 18 to 30 months. This may take longer if your orthodontic issue is more complex. Every patient’s orthodontic treatment is unique and customed to his/her condition.

There are no major notable differences between adults and kids. Both groups can benefit from more aesthetically attractive and/or comfortable options. Such options include fixed ceramic braces, invisible lingual braces (fixed), or invisible and removable “braces” (aligners) in addition to traditional metal braces.

The most memorable patient I had was a 68 year old man, who wanted to close the increasing gaps between his lower front teeth. He also had severely rotated front teeth (90 degrees), which were “sticking out” and not touching causing difficulty in biting with his front teeth. I managed his case with clear aligners, as being a public speaker, he had concerns about the visibility of traditional braces. This experience left a lasting impression on me that there is so much we can do for “older adults” to enhance their quality of life. The golden years are the period that these patients finally have time for themselves after caring for their kids, and they too deserve a healthy and beautiful smile.

Kickstart your journey by visiting an orthodontist for a consultation to see if braces or aligners can benefit you!

Dr Soh Shean Han is an orthodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Orthodontics from University of Washington-Health Sciences School of Dentistry, USA. She is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with National University of Singapore and a Visiting Associate Consultant at National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore. Dr Soh has a special interest in orthodontics and dental public health. 

www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883