Cheap Dental Braces Are Dangerous: See an Orthodontist
Want braces that are safe? See a professional orthodontist and steer clear of cheap dental braces from unlicensed workers, because the risks are real.
Getting dental braces is not something to do casually. If you want healthy, straight teeth, you have to set aside a bigger budget for the best results. For a while, braces were known as a trend, with little thought given to health. People assumed that once you wore braces, you looked cool. In reality, there is a lot more to consider, from the materials the braces are made of to the professional who fits them.
Not every dentist is skilled at fitting braces. Only those who have specialized in orthodontics are competent to do it. Yet many unlicensed dental workers (known in Indonesia as tukang gigi) boldly offer braces services. A proper braces treatment involves a series of steps, from a consultation and X-rays to fitting and monthly follow-up care. An unlicensed worker simply fits the braces and swaps the rubber bands every month. If the procedure is not followed, you can imagine the result: teeth that were meant to become straight end up crooked and even worse than before.
Why Are Unlicensed Dental Workers So Cheap?
The prices these workers charge are very low. Braces fitted by an orthodontist can cost millions of rupiah, reaching well over ten million and even tens of millions, while an unlicensed worker charges only a few hundred thousand rupiah. But the risk is much greater, because the work is not done professionally.
The materials they use are sometimes careless too. As long as it is cheap, quality does not matter, and the parts go straight into the patient's mouth. As a result, infections can occur when pieces come loose and cut into the inside of the patient's mouth. Scary, isn't it?
When an orthodontist does the work, the patient first has a consultation. Then the dentist checks whether any teeth have cavities or need to be pulled. The mouth and teeth must be clean before braces go on. During treatment, the mouth and teeth are more prone to disease because food is more likely to get caught between the wires. Patients have to clean more diligently, and they are advised to eat foods that are not too hard and to avoid biting into food roughly. Hard foods should be cut into small pieces first so they are easy to chew.
The Dangers of Unprofessional Braces Fitting
Braces fitted unprofessionally, with poor materials, also do little good. Braces should pull back teeth that stick out too far, but these cheap braces do not do that well. Years of wear show no significant progress. Other dental and oral problems, such as a protruding lower jaw, should also be correctable with braces. With the wrong procedure, though, these problems will not be fixed and could even get worse.
So if you want to get braces, choose a clinic with professional orthodontists. Do not forget to set aside a bigger budget to get the best quality.
