With the recent announcements that masks will no longer be required indoors, there is an increasing pressure to be conscious about how we present ourselves in front of others. A set of perfectly aligned teeth not only helps to achieve that, it can create a good and lasting impression among those we come in contact with. Traditionally, getting an ideal smile has been a laborious process involving years of struggle and discomfort with metal braces. But with the advancement of technology, we see that a number of aligner brands have sprung up in our little red dot. Wanting to find out more about what sets them apart, we speak with Dr Hwang Jun Hyuk, distinguished dental practitioner certified in Orthodontics and pioneer in digital 3D orthodontics. As Dr Hwang specialises in Invisalign treatments, we delve into details on the treatment process, difference between other aligner brands, and finally, the cost that goes into an Invisalign treatment.
During our conversation, we found that Dr Hwang has been prescribing Invisalign aligners since way back in 2008! With his years of experience, he spoke on how a majority of patients often get concerned about the length of treatment, but “are often surprised at how fast the Invisalign treatment takes.” He adds that if a patient is committed and wears their aligners as prescribed, they generally achieve visible results within 3 to 6 months.
The length of treatment differs based on the patient’s teeth, since no set of teeth are the same, different alignment issues require different degrees of adjustments. Recognised as the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, Invisalign offers a wider range of treatment options, including Invisalign Go and Invisalign Lite, to cater to the mildly crooked teeth or for those with ill-maintained straightened teeth. Invisalign Go is proven to work on a broader scope of 10 front teeth, both upper and lower, which can be completed in as fast as 6 months.
Backed by over 20 years of research, experience, and data collected from over millions of patients, Invisalign aligners have consistently been the successful teeth alignment solutions for patients, spanning from mild cases to severely crooked teeth. With the Invisalign treatment, dentists are able to effectively handle more complex issues and a wide range of dental and bite problems beyond just aesthetic corrections. “In fact, most patients that we see do not come to us for simple aesthetic issues.” says Dr Hwang.
Despite the promise of a shorter treatment period and ability to treat a wide range of teeth misalignment, we start to question the practical application of the aligners – are they really less painful? We got a resounding yes from Dr Hwang. “Invisalign is definitely less painful than metal braces. When used as per your dentist’s guidance, every aligner in your treatment plan will move your teeth incrementally in small steps to minimise discomfort. With Invisalign, the aligners are also trimmed to the gumline, minimising discomfort on the gum that patients often face otherwise.”
With the introduction of the new treatments, dentists are able to recommend different options to patients of different needs, adjusting their prescriptions based on each case’s complexity instead of having a one-size-fits-all. With Invisalign’s patented SmartTrack material, all their aligners are both flexible and effective in re-aligning our teeth comfortably and gradually, allowing patients to easily go about their daily lives without inconveniences or discomfort such as food being stuck on metal braces.
Post-treatment, Invisalign users may choose to maintain their new smile using Vivera retainers, which are stronger, more durable, and most importantly, custom-fit to ensure that users are comfortable even when wearing them to sleep.
Unlike aligners which require us to change them out every 1 to 2 weeks, we only need one retainer to maintain our straight set of teeth after achieving it. Remember to wear it as per your dentist’s advice, Dr Hwang recommends that all “patients should continue wearing their retainers every night” in order to avoid minor shifting and keep their teeth beautifully aligned.
Can’t wait to get your own beautiful set of aligned teeth? Click here to get a free smile assessment, connect with our Smile Concierge, and schedule an appointment with an Invisalign doctor now.
About Q&M
Q & M Dental Group is Singapore’s largest private dental healthcare group, with over 100 dental clinics located island-wide. Among their more than 270 experienced dentists, 52 orthodontists and general dentists are Invisalign® certified. Q & M Dental Group is also the first in Singapore to be awarded the Red Diamond Invisalign® Provider status, which completed more than 1,000 Invisalign® cases in 2021.
About Dr. Hwang Jun Hyuk
Dr. Hwang Jun Hyuk graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University with Summa Cum Laude as Valedictorian and was inducted into OKU National Dental Honours Society in 2012. Dr Hwang earned a certificate and a Masters in Orthodontics at University Of Maryland School Of Dentistry in 2015. He has given orthodontics lectures in the USA and Singapore. Dr Hwang was featured in national magazines such as The Bulletin from the American Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Education Association, and has won numerous accolades in orthodontic research. His interest in orthodontics drove him to become a pioneer in digital 3D orthodontics and one of Invisalign clear aligner system’s biggest providers.
This article was written in collaboration with Invisalign Singapore.
