Cost Of Dental Procedures And How To Apply For A Dental Loan Or Dental Financing In Singapore

A toothache is one of the worst kinds of pain you will ever experience in life.

We all have felt that piercing pain that shoots through the brain or that constant toothache that affects your daily life. That is especially if pain killers don’t help to ease the pain.

Whether you like it or not, you will need to make a trip to the dentist when you get a toothache. Although the dentist will be able to fix your problem, you will most likely be left with the headache of dealing the hefty bill for your dental procedure.

Having a beautiful and bright smile 

Famous celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Vanessa Hudgens, Chris Hemsworth or Zac Efron have the most beautiful and brightest smile!

However, having a gorgeous smile isn’t cheap.

Before you make a trip to the dentist near you, understanding the costs of dental care can help you plan and finance your dental procedure.

So, how much do dental procedures cost in Singapore? 

The cost of dental care varies depending on the type of dental clinic you visit, as well as the type of procedures you choose to do.

The cost of diagnosis in a public dental clinic for Singapore citizens ranges from $15.10 and above. However, there are only a handful of public dental clinics in Singapore. Getting an appointment at these clinics can therefore be hard. You’ll have to seek an appointment well in advance. Furthermore, the procedures offered are often limited to the basic procedures, in addition to scaling, filing and polishing.

Private clinics will charge you between $80 and $150 for a checkup. Specialized procedures will however, attract additional charges. Nonetheless, when a toothache hits, we are sure that no one wants to wait for a dental appointment. The average cost of different procedures are outlined below:

– Polishing and scaling ($50 to $220)
– Wisdom tooth extraction ($450 to $900 per tooth)
– Root canal treatment ($650 to $2,000 per tooth)
– Dental implant surgery ($2,000 to $5,000 per tooth)
– Dental crowns ($400 to $3,000 per tooth)
– Invisalign ($4,500 to $9,500)
– Braces ($3,000 to $6,000)

With all these numbers, dental procedures sure burn a hole in our pockets. For the sake of our precious teeth, sometimes it will not be wise to put any dental treatment on hold.

Immediate dental care might be needed, such as wisdom tooth extraction, dental crowns or simply a dental filling. If you need cash urgently for dental procedures, 1AP Capital can lend you a hand.  

Wait, can dental financing or a dental loan really help me? 

Going to a dentist isn’t cheap. Regardless if you choose to visit a public or private clinic, you will need to prepare a rather large amount of money. Since putting your next dental visit on hold isn’t recommended, here’s a few reasons why getting a dental loan might be beneficial for you.

1. Improve your career prospects

It’s a scientific fact that your smile impacts what other people think about you. A great smile can help to improve your chances of getting a job at an interview, as well as getting a job promotion. Investing in a straighter and whiter smile may be just what you need to get that promotion.

2. Boost your self-confidence

Better tooth alignment and whiter teeth will boost your self-esteem and confidence. You will be more confident about how you look, which will have a positive impact on other areas of your life.

3. Allow you to live a longer healthier life

Healthy teeth will impact your overall health. You will avoid conditions such as heart disease that can result from poor oral health. You will also smile more, which is linked to reducing stress and anxiety and encourages the release of endorphins. This strengthens the immune system and boosts your health.

If you are having a toothache that requires the immediate attention of a dentist, getting a dental loan might be able to help you. Many Singaporeans tend to neglect their dental health. But, in truth, we only have that one set of adult teeth.

Shouldn’t we protect our teeth at all costs? 

Top 10 Dentists in Singapore for you to consider: 

1. Polyclinics (several locations available)
2. Q & M Dental Group (website)
3. Parkway Denta Practice (website)
4. Azure Dental (website)
5. Unity Denticare (website)
6. Toof Doctor Dental Surgeons (website)
7. Newport Dental (website)
8. Smile Dental Group (website)
9. LQ Dental (website)
10. B9 Dental Care (website)

The interesting behaviour of Singaporeans is that we willingly spend hundreds and thousands of hard-earned money on branded / luxury products, a new car, a branded watch, makeup products or expensive clothing. Yet, we often put dental care on hold until it is too late. Only then do we grumble and finally visit a dentist. 

If you have been researching, you might be wondering if there are any differences between a dentist and an orthodontist.

It isn’t uncommon to hear the terms orthodontist and dentist being used interchangeably. Search results may be confusing so here are a few pointers to help you differentiate.

Definitions of a dentist and an orthodontist 

A dentist is a doctor whose areas of focus include the jaw, teeth, mouth, gums and the related nerves. Orthodontists are a special kind of dentist. They specialize in the straightening of teeth.

Orthodontists are the dentists you see when you have problems with occlusions, overbites, overcrowded teeth, as well as misalignment in the teeth or jaw. Many people ignore these problems. However, left untreated, they can become even worse with time.

Differences in their training 

Both orthodontists and regular dentists have to attend dental school. However, after completing dental school, an orthodontist will have to take more classes in order to earn their license. This may mean two or three additional years of training in order to qualify as an orthodontist.

Orthodontists are therefore simply dentists with specialized training in the field of teeth alignment.

What an orthodontist can do for you

1. Timely screening

Children aged between 6 and 12 are at a critical stage of oral development. They experience the replacement of their milk teeth with permanent teeth. An orthodontist can monitor the growth and development of these teeth to ensure that everything is as it should be. They can also provide timely treatment by detecting problems early.

2. Resolve crowding of teeth / teeth overcrowding 

Crowding is a dental problem that many people choose to ignore. It is a condition in which the teeth are arranged crookedly and therefore do not have enough space. This can result in difficulties in flossing or brushing teeth. People with crowded teeth often have gum problems and other oral health problems.

3. Resolving tooth protrusion

The abnormal protrusion of teeth is not only aesthetically undesirable, but it can also result in trauma or chilling of the teeth that are more exposed. An orthodontist can help to resolve this, especially if detected in the early stages.

4. Poor bite

In a normal bite, there is an overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth by about 1 to 2 mm. If the vertical overlap is too large, then you have a deep bite. If you have no overlap, you have an open bite. You have a cross bite if your upper teeth are overlapped by your lower teeth. Orthodontists can help to deal with these and many other misalignment problems in various ways, including the fitting of braces. It’s best to see these specialists if you want the best results.

Another common reason people visit the dentist is to get braces. Sick and tired of a crooked smile, being self-conscious in public, being afraid to smile in public, they visit the dentist to make a change in their lives. 

4 Types of Braces available in Singapore 

In Singapore, there are 4 types of braces one can choose.

1. Metal braces: These are the cheapest and quickest, although they are not attractive to look at.
2. Ceramic braces: These ones tend to look much better than the metal ones, but are fragile and quite expensive.
3. Lingual braces: These braces are internal, meaning that they cannot be seen. They tend to be quite expensive and uncomfortable to the wearer.
4. Invisalign braces: These ones can be removed by the patient, and they also do not require frequent visits to the orthodontist. They also tend to be expensive and cannot be used by someone with severe misalignment.

The most popular braces in Singapore are metal braces and Invisalign. They do not come cheap, but they definitely make you smile brighter and become more confident! 

Costs of getting metal braces in Singapore 

These braces are the most common and most basic. They also tend to be the cheapest in the market. Costs can range from $3,000 all the way to $6,000. The advantages they offer include being affordable and aligning the teeth quite fast. Unfortunately, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as some of the others on offer. The wires and metals are very visible when one speaks or smiles, and they may need to be worn for as many as two years. Furthermore, they have a tendency to catch on the flesh within the mouth leading to ulcers.

Costs of getting Invisalign in Singapore 

The cost of these aligners can range from $4,500 to $9,500 for the entire treatment. While some quotations may be lower, they often don’t include expenses for pre-treatment and aftercare such as x-rays, bite guards, retainers and bite adjustment.

The cost of the treatment varies depending on:

1. The complexity and duration of the treatment

You will need to visit your dentist several times to have a new aligner fitted. More complex cases may require more visits and longer treatment.

2. The clinic

Different orthodontists charge different rates for their services. It is advisable to shop around for an orthodontist that you can afford.

3. The package

There are different Invisalign ‘packages’ available in Singapore. These include:

• i7 – This is the most economical package. It will allow you to have up to 7 aligners fitted.
• Lite – this allows you to have up to 14 aligners. The course of treatment may last for 6 to 7 months.
• Full – this is the most expensive package. It is suitable for complex cases. It allows for as many aligners as needed.

Costs of braces and Invisalign are definitely high. For some who are unable to afford, applying for a dental loan or dental financing will be able to help. You won’t need to cough up a huge amount of money immediately and can take your time to repay.

Aside from getting help from the dentist, practising good dental hygiene is crucial as well. In order to get the perfect set of teeth or a good breath, caring for your teeth daily is important.

For good dental hygiene, here are 8 tips to maintain a healthy set of teeth

1. Brushing your teeth regularly

Duh! But you might be surprised how some people miss out their daily morning and night brushes!

Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Get into the habit of brushing your teeth when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. This will help to get rid of plaque and bacteria that may have built up in between the teeth.

2. Use proper brushing techniques

Brushing twice a day won’t count for much if you’re not doing it properly. Poor brushing techniques are almost just as bad as not brushing your teeth at all.

Take your time when brushing your teeth. Use gentle circular motions to effectively remove plaque.

3. Brush your tongue too

Your teeth aren’t the only part of the mouth that needs brushing; so does your tongue. Plaque also builds upon the tongue and causes bad breath, as well as other oral health problems. Remember to include your tongue in the brushing every time you brush your teeth.

4. Invest in toothpaste with fluoride

There’s much more to toothpaste than ensuring fresh breath and teeth whitening. A toothpaste with fluoride helps to protect the teeth against decay. It forms a protective barrier on the surface of the teeth.

5. Floss daily

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. It will help to get those little bits of food that are stuck between the teeth out. Flossing daily will also help to reduce the formation of plaque, lower inflammation as well as stimulate the gums. Ensure that you floss at least once a day.

6. Invest in mouthwash

Mouthwash helps to reduce acidity in the mouth, clean those hard to reach areas in the mouth, and restore minerals to your teeth. Invest in mouthwash or a mouth rinse and use it once a day for best results. Listerine and Pearly White are popular mouthwash brands in Singapore.

7. Chug more water

Drinking more water is not only good for weight loss, better skin, but also for your oral health. Drinking water after every meal can help to wash out food particles, and therefore keep the mouth clean between meals.

8. Limit acidic and sugary foods

Acidic foods such as tea, fruits and coffee can cause the enamel on your teeth to be eroded. Sugars are converted to acids in the mouth. These have the same effect as acidic foods. Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods to avoid tooth decay.

Many of us are guilty of not going for regular dental checkups. We easily spend on good food or luxury products or a holiday, and yet we can’t bear to go for a dental checkup, teeth scaling or polishing.

Having a good smile and a good set of teeth does bring many benefits. If you are facing physical pain or emotional hurt from having crooked or bad teeth, do not hesitate to visit the dentist. If you require any form of dental financing, apply for a dental loan with 1AP Capital for we are a legal and licensed moneylender in Singapore that provides loans at affordable rates. Find out more here.