Yay, I finally did it! After years of wanting braces, I finally had them on in January 2020.
I’d wanted to straighten my teeth since my 20s, but I kept putting it off. Somehow, there was always something else I had to prioritise.
In 2020, I decided it was time to stop putting this off and do something for myself. Getting braces was one of those things I had wanted to do for years, so I was excited to finally take that step.
Little did I know that it would take more than four years before I could finally say goodbye to my braces! The journey came with tooth extractions, unexpected trips to the dentist, sore teeth, and plenty of adjustments along the way.
Since getting braces can be quite an investment, I’m sharing my experience, what the process was like, and how much I spent throughout the treatment. If you’re thinking about getting braces, I hope this post helps you understand what to expect and gives you a clearer idea of the costs involved.
✅ Orthodontic Consultation (18th Dec 2019)
Cost: RM425.00 (Scaling, Teeth Molds, X-ray)
The first step was getting a professional opinion about my teeth.
My teeth were crowded and misaligned, probably partly because of my childhood fear of dentists. 😂 My upper teeth also stuck out slightly, and I had a gummy smile, which meant quite a bit of my gums showed whenever I smiled.
The dentist explained that Botox injections or gum reduction surgery were possible options to address my gummy smile. However, before considering any of that, we needed to focus on straightening my teeth first.
Since I was already at the clinic, I decided to get scaling done as well. After that, the dentist took a mould of my teeth and an X-ray to assess my dental condition and plan the treatment.
It felt good to finally take the first step towards getting the smile I wanted.
✅ Tooth Extraction (4th Jan 2020)
Cost: RM270.00 (RM125.00 for upper teeth, RM145.00 for lower teeth)
Before getting braces, I needed to have some teeth extracted to make room for the others to move into their proper positions.
Four extractions are common in some braces treatment plans, usually two upper teeth and two lower teeth. Since I was already missing one lower tooth, I only needed three extractions.
Pain level: 7/10
The extraction was one thing, but I also developed a painful ulcer near the extraction site afterwards. Eating wasn’t exactly enjoyable!
My aftercare
- I managed without painkillers.
- I brushed my teeth as usual, while being careful around the extraction sites.
- I waited 24 hours before using mouthwash, following the advice I received.
- I only ate soft foods such as rice porridge and soup.
My tip: Have something to eat before your extraction, unless your dentist advises otherwise. Eating can be uncomfortable afterwards, so it’s better to have a meal beforehand.
✅ Emergency Dentist Visit (9th Jan 2020)
Cost: RM100.00 (Including painkillers & antibiotics)
The morning after my extraction, I woke up with swollen gums and pus around the affected area. Unfortunately, the clinic was closed that Sunday, so I rinsed my mouth with salt water and hoped things would improve.
That night, the abscess burst on its own, releasing pus and blood. It was quite an experience, to say the least.
I thought everything would be fine after that, but the pain returned a few days later. The right side of my head and throat hurt so badly that even touching my hair was uncomfortable. My gums became even more swollen, with more pus around the affected area.
I went back to the dentist, and they had to drain the abscess manually.
Let me tell you, that pain was next level! I actually teared up when the dentist injected the anaesthetic. My head continued to throb for about a week afterward.
Pain Level: 9/10
This was probably one of the most unpleasant experiences I had throughout my braces journey. I certainly wasn’t expecting a tooth extraction to turn into all this!
My aftercare
- I took the prescribed antibiotics and painkillers.
- I bought Oradex mouthwash from the pharmacy.
- I ate soft foods such as rice porridge, mushroom soup, and rice with plain soup.
- I brushed my teeth twice a day and flossed every night, taking care around the affected area.
- I started eating yoghurt daily at the time, hoping it would help with my gum health.
Looking back, I learned not to take unusual pain or swelling after a dental procedure lightly. If you experience worsening pain, swelling, or pus after an extraction, contact your dentist promptly.
✅ Another Tooth Extraction (18th Jan 2020)
Cost: RM155.00 (Including painkillers)
One last tooth to go before I could finally get my braces!
Of course, it wasn’t going to be that simple.
This time, my tooth broke into two pieces during the extraction. My dentist had to work on removing the remaining roots, and she struggled quite a bit. At one point, she nearly gave up and suggested that I return for another appointment.
The discomfort was unreal. Thankfully, she managed to remove the remaining pieces on her final attempt.
Pain level: 6/10
After everything that happened during my previous extraction, I was just glad to get this one over with.
My aftercare
- I took a painkiller before the anaesthetic wore off.
- I ate as I felt comfortable, avoiding hard foods.
- I brushed my teeth twice a day, used Oradex mouthwash, and flossed every night.
With the last extraction done, I could finally look forward to getting my braces fitted. No more extractions.
✅ Getting Braces on My Upper Teeth (29th Jan 2020)
Cost: RM1,000.00 (Downpayment)
Finally, the big day arrived!
My dentist installed the braces on my upper teeth first because my lower teeth didn’t protrude as much. Everything went smoothly, and my next appointment was scheduled for 12 February 2020 to have my lower braces fitted.
I was excited to finally see the beginning of my teeth-straightening journey. At the same time, I knew getting used to braces would take some patience.
Pain level: 5/10
Chewing was challenging because my teeth felt as though they were being pulled in different directions. Even eating something simple became a little adventure of its own.
My aftercare
- I continued eating soft foods such as rice porridge and soup.
- I brushed my teeth twice a day.
- I used Listerine and flossed every night.
My tip: Ask your dentist whether taking a suitable painkiller before your appointment is appropriate for you. Follow their advice on the medication and timing.
✅ Braces Cost & Clinic Info
I got my braces done at Izra Dental, Putrajaya.
The total quoted treatment cost was RM5,000, with a RM1,000 down payment and monthly instalments of RM200.
I was excited to finally start seeing changes in my teeth. After years of wanting braces, I had finally taken the plunge!
One thing worth mentioning is that retainers were not included in the original braces fee. I had to pay for those separately after my braces were removed.
✅ One-Year Braces Update!
After about a year of wearing braces, my teeth had moved quite a lot!
I had entered the gapped-teeth phase, where spaces started appearing between my teeth as they shifted into new positions. Although I knew this was part of the process, I felt a little self-conscious about the gaps and often found myself covering my mouth whenever I smiled.
It was a strange feeling. I was happy that my teeth were moving, but I wasn’t entirely comfortable with how they looked at that stage.
- The pain after monthly adjustments
Every month, I went to the dentist to have my braces adjusted and the rubber bands changed. Those appointments were generally manageable.
Recently, though, my dentist changed the wire to help close the gaps. Wow, the pain came back all over again!
I couldn’t chew properly for an entire week. It felt almost exactly like when I first got my braces. Just when I thought I had gotten used to them, I had to go through that uncomfortable phase again.
- Ulcers, ulcers, and more ulcers
Another struggle was dealing with ulcers.
Braces can be an ulcer-making machine! The brackets constantly rubbed against the inside of my mouth, especially when I ate. Sometimes, the ulcers caught against the brackets, making everything even more painful.
Eating became a challenge whenever I had a particularly bad ulcer. It was frustrating, especially when I simply wanted to enjoy my food without worrying about hurting my mouth.
✅ A few things I learned while wearing braces
1. Don’t neglect your dental cleaning.
Even with braces, keeping your teeth clean is important. Follow your dentist’s advice on how often you need scaling and professional cleaning.
2. Be prepared for sensitivity after scaling.
My teeth sometimes became so sensitive after scaling that even drinking plain water hurt for a few days. I used a straw to make drinking more comfortable.
3. Keep up with your oral hygiene.
Food can get trapped around the brackets and wires, so brushing carefully and cleaning between your teeth are especially important when you wear braces.
Despite the pain, ulcers, and occasional struggles with eating, I was happy with my progress. My teeth were changing, and I was getting closer to the smile I had wanted for years.
✅ Braces Off! (23 July 2024)
After four long years, I finally got my braces removed on 23 July 2024!
I still remember how strange it felt not having brackets on my teeth after wearing them for so long. It took me a while to get used to seeing my teeth without all the metal.
After removing the braces, my dentist performed scaling and polished my teeth. One of my front teeth, which I used to call my “rabbit tooth”, was slightly longer than the one next to it. My dentist reshaped it to make the two teeth look more even.
I was so happy to finally see my teeth without braces. After all those years of adjustments, ulcers, and struggling to chew whenever the pain returned, it felt good to reach this stage.
- How Much Did My Retainers Cost?
I had to pay an additional RM400 for both the upper and lower retainers.
The dentist took a mould of my newly straightened teeth, and my retainers were ready for collection the following day.
Although I was excited to have my braces removed, I knew my journey wasn’t quite finished. Wearing retainers according to my dentist’s instructions would be important to help keep my teeth in their new positions.
After four years, I was finally braces-free! Looking at the results made me feel that all the waiting and discomfort had been worthwhile.
✅ How Much Did I Spend on Braces?
If you’re planning to get braces, you’re probably wondering how much you should prepare. I know I would want to know the total cost before committing to treatment!
Here is a breakdown of the expenses I recorded during my braces journey.
| Treatment or procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation, scaling, teeth moulds, and X-ray | RM425 |
| Tooth extractions on 4 January 2020 | RM270 |
| Emergency dentist visit | RM100 |
| Final tooth extraction | RM155 |
| Braces treatment fee | RM5,000 |
| Upper and lower retainers | RM400 |
| Total | RM6,350 |
The RM5,000 braces treatment fee included the RM1,000 down payment, so I have counted it only once in the total.
Based on the expenses I recorded, I spent approximately RM6,350 on my braces journey, including the initial dental procedures, emergency visit, and retainers.
Please note that this total is based on my own treatment and the costs I have available. It may not include any expenses I didn’t record separately.
If you’re planning to get braces, check with your dental clinic about what is included in the quoted price. Ask about consultation fees, X-rays, extractions, monthly adjustments, and retainers so you have a clearer idea of the total amount you might need to spend.
Your treatment plan and costs may differ depending on your dental condition and the clinic you choose.
Read more here: Tips Dan Cara Penjagaan Ketika Pakai Braces.
Love,
Auri Duham🌻
