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SINGAPORE - Ms Simbian Chua has now what she considers the perfect smile. This is after the 22-year-old spent $15,000 to $20,000 on a complete smile makeover that included braces, gum reshaping, veneers and teeth whitening.
The restaurant manager describes her teeth as "messed up" before the cosmetic procedures were done.
Besides uneven gum levels, Ms Chua had enamel defects and her teeth were crooked - conditions associated with being born with a cleft lip, which was repaired when she was 15 years old.
A cleft lip is a birth defect where the upper lip is split.
As a cola addict, she also had stained teeth. Dark compounds found in drinks, such as cola, coffee and tea, can stain the tooth surface.
"I had really low self-esteem and thought this was it. I was going to look like this for the rest of my life," she said.
That was until she learnt about the treatment methods that could improve the look of her smile.
And so, in June last year, Ms Chua embarked on a major teeth overhaul so that she would have nice teeth in time for her 21st birthday last year.
The entire process, which took about six months, began with braces that she had to wear for six months and had tightened every four to five days.
She chose metal braces because it is the most effective way to straighten teeth. She said she did not mind the appearance of these braces as she had to wear them for only about six months to realign her teeth.
At the same time she started wearing braces, Dr Gerald Tan of TP Dental Surgeons reshaped her gums to give them a more symmetrical appearance.
In this procedure, local anaesthesia is applied to the area that needs to be re-contoured. Laser reshapes the gums by trimming away excess and uneven gum tissue.
Next, her teeth were whitened, first with an in-clinic whitening treatment for immediate results, and then a take-home whitening gel and tray for maintenance.
She now whitens her teeth at home every one to three months, and for three consecutive days before a major social event.
Her smile was completed with veneers for four front teeth. A thin, shell-like layer of material was bonded to the teeth to change their shape and colour.
The result: A dazzling smile that she confidently shows off.
"Many friends, even people I don't know, messaged me on Facebook to ask what I did. Having a smile like this really makes a very big difference," she said.
It was definitely worth the money, said Ms Chua, who paid for the procedures with her own savings.
"It's a life-changing experience. It has not only changed the way I look but also the way I speak. I can pronounce certain words with greater accuracy," she said.
More Singaporeans going for cosmetic dental procedures
Cosmetic dentistry is in great demand as increasingly affluent Singaporeans choose expensive procedures that fix nature's flaws in days or weeks.
But not everyone who wants a better smile does it for pure vanity's sake. For some patients, cosmetic dentistry can confer greater functionality and be a great confidence booster.
Retiree Yap Lee Choo, 65, was always conscious of her missing teeth when she smiled and how the ones that remained were worn out and stained. Some of her fillings were also broken.
All that changed when she had extensive work done at a dental clinic that gave her an improved smile and made it easier to care for her teeth.
Mrs Yap spent more than $10,000 on teeth whitening, veneers and crowns. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded to a tooth to change its shape, size and colour, while a crown is a type of dental restoration that caps a tooth.
The treatment made an immense difference to her life.
"I used to be very embarrassed to smile. Even if I did, I would never show my teeth. I never dreamt that I could own such teeth," said Mrs Yap.
Now that her teeth are straighter, brushing has also become easier and her overall oral hygiene has improved.
It is not known how much Singaporeans are spending on cosmetic dentistry but dental clinics report a rise in demand of 25to 50 per cent in the last five years.
Dental facelift
Dental facelift
There are now 230 dentists who are members of the Aesthetic Dentistry Society Singapore (ADSS), which organises aesthetic dentistry educational events for members and works to raise public awareness about the various types of cosmetic dental treatment available.
Membership in the ADSS has almost doubled in the last five years, from about 120 members in 2008, said its president, DrGerald Tan. He noted a similar increase in the number of dentists attending aesthetic dentistry courses here and overseas.
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's gums and teeth to result in a pleasing smile. This could be a whiter and brighter smile, straighter teeth or a more symmetrical gumline.
Dr Eugene Tang of Aesthetic Dental Care said aesthetic dentistry includes orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of the teeth or jaw, bleaching or whitening of teeth to improve colour harmony, using crowns and veneers to improve the shade and contour of teeth, as well as implants to fill up gaps between the teeth.
Dental clinics say they get patients of all ages now and though the majority tend to be women, more men are also asking for cosmetic enhancements.
"More people want to look younger and cosmetic dentistry is like a 'dental facelift' that can quickly reverse the natural ageing process of the teeth," said Dr Tan.
Ageing causes the tooth enamel to be worn away, revealing the dentine, the yellowish inner layer of the teeth. Carbonated or citrus drinks, such as cola or lemon juice, can also wear off the enamel. Smoking and drinking coffee can stain the teeth.
Dr Tan noted that a dentist may refer a patient to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to further improve the appearance of his made-over smile. For example, dermal fillers may be recommended to remove facial lines.
Customers say that a lovely smile makes a lasting impression, an asset in many jobs.
For instance, as an advertising director for a men's magazine, Mr Raphael Chong meets a lot of people and does a lot of talking.
"A good impression definitely counts," said the 35-year-old. "Other than a great personality, I feel that the two other things that will help edge out the competition is good dress sense and a nice smile."
$3,000 for one perfect tooth
In 2006, he got his first set of veneers to lengthen his teeth - which were a little short because he ground them in his sleep - and whiten them.
He would not say how much he spent but clinics in central locations such as Orchard Road charge $1,500 to $3,000 per veneer.
Furthermore, he had to replace some of his new "teeth" last year because he continued to grind his teeth and wore them down. Now, he wears his mouth guard religiously.
Said Mr Chong, who is married: "I think I made a very rational decision that would serve me well for many more awesome years to come. Till today, people still comment on my teeth. They say how white and perfectly aligned they are."
Indeed, people are less embarrassed now to have attention drawn to the work on their teeth, said Dr Thean Tsin Piao of Aesthete Smilestudio.
He said: "People are more open because everyone is doing it and there is awareness that many are undergoing such treatment. For some patients, aesthetic dentistry is also the first step towards plastic surgery."
People are more willing to have major work done in their mouths, including having their gums reshaped with a laser, because there is awareness that a smile is "the most dominant feature of the face", said Dr Tan.
For men, it is also seen as a less feminine way to enhance one's look, as opposed to doing facial cosmetic work, said Dr Ernest Rex Tan of Smile Inc Dental Surgeons.
Dr Tang added that results now are more predictable and straightforward, and patients are more assured of a good outcome.
Although the cheapest treatment, whitening, starts at about $300, and expensive veneers can easily top $20,000 or more, people are well able to afford them these days, said dentists.
Choose wisely
Choose wisely
However, dentists advise patients to do their research before embarking on any procedure.
Quick-fix treatments are generally not recommended, said Dr Bruce Lee, clinical director of the T32 Dental Centre.
One example is Instant Braces, which promise straighter teeth in a few weeks compared to the two years usually needed for orthodontics.
To achieve this, the teeth are trimmed and filed down, and fitted with dental veneers and crowns. In some cases, nerves may even be selectively removed.
While all this leads to a straighter set of teeth, they are weakened and destroyed, which may give problems down the road.
"We always advise patients to 'bank' their teeth for the future. We should almost always opt for the most conservative and least invasive method or technique to achieve the best aesthetic results," said Dr Lee.
To prevent the need for aesthetic dental work, one should practise good dental habits from young, said Dr Ernest Rex Tan.
This means visiting a dentist every six months, brushing the teeth regularly and flossing daily. Problems such as crooked teeth should also be addressed with braces between the ages of 11 and 18, he said.
Take time to consider your options
1. Do not rush into a procedure. Spend time assessing what you do not like about your smile.
2. Discuss your concerns with the dentist. If you have a procedure in mind, find out if it is the best solution for your needs.
3. The dentist will conduct a thorough assessment before formulating a detailed plan based on your needs. Photos and models of your teeth may be taken and made at this stage.
4. The dentist will help you visualise the potential results you can expect from the proposed treatment.
5. Discuss the pros and cons of the recommended treatment and check if there are alternatives.
6. Be aware of potential failures or problems which may arise from the procedures.
7. Discuss the treatment cost after you have thoroughly understood the various options.
8. Ask to see "before" and "after" photos of cases performed by the dentist to get an idea of the potential results. This will also help you to gauge the dentist's experience.
9. If in doubt, get a second or third opinion. This may help clarify what was recommended and provide other options for consideration.
Source: Dr Bruce Lee, clinical director at T32 Dental Centre
Want a dazzling smile? Here are your options
TEETH WHITENING
What: The least invasive of all cosmetic dental treatments, it can be done at home or in clinics.
The take-home kit consists of a customised bleaching tray for the upper and lower sets of teeth. Patients apply a whitening gel onto the tray and wear it over the teeth for one or two hours daily, for about two weeks.
The in-clinic method uses a stronger whitening agent. A special LED light speeds up the whitening chemical reaction, which takes about an hour. Patients will experience tooth sensitivity for the first few days after treatment.
Its effects are not permanent. Patients have to avoid food that can stain their teeth.
How much: $300 to $1,500 for a set of teeth.
BRACES
What: These devices are used to correct the alignment of the teeth and improve the bite.
Metal wire, conventionally used for braces, is no longer the only option available. Patients can opt for a transparent plastic material, ceramic or Invisalign - called invisible braces - which makes use of a clear mould to align the teeth. But traditional braces still achieve the best results for those with very crooked teeth.
Depending on the complexity of the case, some teeth may have to be extracted. Oral hygiene is important, as food particles can be trapped easily. Patients may also have to wear retainers long-term to maintain tooth alignment.
How much: $5,000 to $10,000.
PORCELAIN VENEERS
What: These thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the teeth to change their shape, size and colour. Veneers can last 10 to 12 years.
However, they are more brittle than teeth, so people with veneers have to avoid hard food such as nuts or ice to prevent them from chipping.
A mouth guard may be recommended too.
How much: $1,000 onwards per tooth.
RESIN BONDING
What: The tooth-coloured plastic and glass mixture is commonly used to fill cavities or to replace metal fillings, traditionally used to fix decayed teeth. It is a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers and can also alter the size, shape and colour of teeth.
It is not as durable as porcelain - it lasts eight to 10 years - and can become stained. But it is more easily repaired than porcelain.
How much: $80 to $700 per tooth.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
What: Dental implants are small titanium screws fixed into the jawbone and topped by artificial teeth such as crowns or bridges.
Compared to dentures, they are a better, albeit more expensive, alternative as patients can chew much better.
If the patient has no gum or bone problems, implants can last a lifetime. The crown or bridge, however, lasts about 12 to 15 years.
How much: From $5,000 per tooth.
GUM RECONTOURING
What: Gum recontouring may be the solution to a "gummy smile" or an uneven gumline. Laser is used to burn off excess gum tissue and reseal the gums to create a more pleasing smile. Alternatively, the excess gum can be cut away with a scalpel.
There may be some mild soreness or swelling immediately following the procedure and painkillers may be needed.
How much: From $300 per tooth.
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