Correcting your orthodontic condition as early as possible can be less expensive than the additional treatment required to cure any other issues that may emerge in later years, whether you want to improve your smile or correct the alignment of your jaws. Fortunately, there is plenty of top-notch public and private dental facilities in Singapore for foreigners seeking orthodontic treatment. However, orthodontic work can be costly, depending on the type of clinic you go to and the seriousness of your dental disease. Therefore, a good dental insurance plan can significantly reduce these expenditures.
This article provides all the necessary information on Singapore’s dental insurance and orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontics.
Orthodontic care focuses on the “prevention, interception, and repair of abnormally positioned teeth as well as skeletal disharmony between the upper and lower jaws”. It is one of the seven dental specialities recognised by the Singapore Dental Council. The majority of the time, the orthodontic procedure entails using treatment tools like braces, Invisalign, retainers, or splints.
Typical orthodontic issues
The most prevalent dental issues that orthodontic therapy can resolve include:
- Underbite: When the lower jaw sticks out too far in front, the upper front teeth are forced to sit in front of the lower teeth.
- Overbite: When the upper front teeth are positioned excessively far forward, the lower front teeth may occasionally bite into the roof of the mouth.
- Crossbite: When your upper teeth are not appropriately positioned concerning your lower teeth.
- An open bite is when the top and lower teeth do not overlap, which makes it difficult to chew food effectively.
- Crowding is when there is not enough room in your mouth for all of your teeth.
- The reverse of crowding, spacing occurs when there is too much space in the mouth, resulting in spaces between the teeth.
Various factors can lead to orthodontic issues. Genetic factors might be quite important, particularly when it comes to issues like crowding, spacing, and several other jaw issues. Orthodontic issues can also result from environmental factors, including childhood or adolescent fall accidents. Deformities of the face and jaw can also occur in children whose mothers drank alcohol or used certain medicines while pregnant.
Is orthodontic treatment required?
Orthodontic treatment improves not only the function of the jaw and teeth but also their outward look. This kind of dental care is crucial since it can be difficult to clean crooked teeth properly, which raises the risk of tooth decay. In addition, a poor bite can make eating difficult and even impact your speech. Therefore, it is frequently advised that you have the proper treatment as soon as possible if you have an orthodontic issue to reduce the likelihood of developing more serious and expensive dental disorders.
What is the price of orthodontic treatment in Singapore?
The cost of orthodontic care in Singapore is dependent on several variables, such as the clinic you choose to visit, the seriousness of your orthodontic issue, the length of time it will take to correct it, and the kind of appliance that will be used (e.g. braces, Invisalign, etc.).
That being said, a fantastic place to start your research is by understanding how much treatments can cost at various facilities. The Ministry of Health website, for instance, is a wonderful resource because it provides the typical rates for orthodontic treatment at both public and private facilities:
- Public buildings: 3,000 to 4,870 SGD
- Private facilities: 2,000 to 10,700 Singapore Dollars
As was mentioned above, getting braces in Singapore can be very expensive. The costs can even be higher if you have more than one family member who needs care. As a result, having the proper dental insurance can significantly help you save money.
Which dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatment?
Different levels of coverage are available through dental insurance policies in Singapore. The main categories are:
- Routine dental – This category of dental insurance covers standard procedures like fillings, cleanings, x-rays, and consultations.
- Primary dentistry – More comprehensive dental insurance plans cover major dental procedures like dentures, orthodontic operations (such as braces that are medically required), and gingivitis treatment. These insurance policies typically have higher premiums because they cover more pricey services.
Be sure to look for a plan that covers primary dental treatment if you need dental insurance that pays for orthodontic work. However, remember that each plan is unique and offers different coverage components. Hence, it is always a good idea to read the small print of any dental insurance policy or consult with a reputable broker like Pacific Prime Singapore before you buy.
Observations to make when buying dental insurance
Dental insurance is typically bought as an extra benefit to primary health insurance programmes. This extra is frequently referred to as a “rider” by insurers. However, remember that these riders often have a waiting period of between 6 and 12 months after you purchase the policy before submitting a claim for that benefit.
