Braces: Impossible To Do Only Upper Teeth, Dentist Says.

[helvetian]

I'm thinking about getting braces for my upper teeth, as my front teeth are somewhat shifting under each other. My lower teeth are perfectly straight, so nothing is needed there. I called Silom Dental (www.silomdental.com) today and asked them about the pricing on their website, which is 120,000 to 150,000 Baht for "lingual braces" which are placed on the inside part of the teeth rather than outside, so they're nearly invisible. Basically my question was if their price would only be half if I only did the upper teeth, or if the price was for either upper or lower, so 240,000 to 300,000 for both upper and lower (which I can't imagine).

The lady on the telephone then told me she would ask the doctor. When she came back, she said that it was "impossible sir to do only upper braces, its only possible in Thailand to do both upper and lower braces together" ...so basically that I needed both upper and lower. My lower teeth are perfectly fine, though. So no need there. I can't imagine that Thailand has a different system for braces than the rest of the world, so ...

That has to be the most stupid answer in regards to braces, right?

[Sheryl]

I'm not a dentist but it certainly seems odd to me.

Also I don't think you want to go with indirect advice i.e. through the receptionist, things get garbled that way. I have repeatedly found that to be so and that what you are told the doctor said is usually not at all what the doctor said. One reason being limited understanding of technical matters by the intermediary, the other being that their English capacity is usually limited, especially in vocabulary, and there is a tendency here when people do not know how to say something to simply say something else even if meaning is lost as a result.

I suggest you have a face to face consultation with an orthodontist. I would start with Bangkok Dental Hospital as I know the quality there is solid. Also think consultation may be free or at least very low cost, although they will be towards the high end (by Thai standards) for cost of treatment.

At that point you will have reliable information and a cost estimate, if you want you can then comparison shop.

[phetaroi]

I think there are several issues here.

I had only my upper teeth done, and it was fine. However, my lower teeth were rather well aligned to begin with. The question is whether or not the upper teeth will "meet" properly with the lower teeth if only one set is done.

I can imagine a dentist saying, "Too guarantee a good job where the bite is perfect, I have to do both." I don't see that as unethical. For a dentist to say it cannot be done, that would be unethical. As Sheryl pointed out, in this situation, since the dentist himself/herself has not looked at your teeth, it is impossible to say with any authority.

[lopburi3]

Just as a cost figure total price using normal outside upper/lower over two years of monthly visits for teenager (who required four teeth be removed) is about 50,000 baht at Vejthani.

[jackoneilone]

things can get lost in translation.

Go to a proper ortho and get first hand consultation. Most likely involving full set of xrays or atleast should.

Though ur bottom set may look fine to you it may not work with meeting ur upper set. Hence why MOST ortho's infact NEED to manipulate both upper and lower sets. Imagine jimmying locker levers. Both upper and lower may need to move to meet and FIT otherwise it would be pointless and it would all go out of whack very quickly. Some people can get away with only 1 set but those are very few.

Also are you aware of the discomfort and literal pain u will get from Lingual behind teeth braces? I wouldnt recommend them. Go invisialign if its applicable and u could afford it. Otherwise go with braces on the outside with clear attachements.