Orthodontics · Specialist-Led · Last reviewed May 2026
Orthodontics, Done by Specialists.
Picasso Dental offers the complete range of orthodontic treatments in Vietnam, fixed braces, Invisalign, plus ceramic, lingual, self-ligating, clear aligner and specialty bite-correction options. Every case is planned and managed by a specialist orthodontist (Dr. Thuan Phung or Dr. Toan Le), with iTero digital scanning, ClinCheck simulation and a written treatment plan before any decision is made.
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the dental specialty focused on diagnosing and correcting tooth alignment, bite problems and jaw relationships. Crooked teeth are aligned. Crowded teeth are spaced. Overbites, underbites and crossbites are corrected. Treatment uses fixed appliances (braces) or removable ones (clear aligners), supported by specialty appliances when bite or jaw growth needs guidance. The goal is not just a straighter smile, it is a stable, healthy, functional bite that lasts decades.
Why Specialist-Led Orthodontics Matters
Specialist Training
An orthodontist completes 3 additional years of specialist training after dental school, focused exclusively on tooth movement, bite correction and jaw growth. General dentists who offer orthodontics do not have this depth.
Predictable Outcomes
Specialist orthodontists plan cases with a clear endpoint in mind. Each visit moves you toward that endpoint. Cases planned without specialist training drift, take longer than expected, and sometimes finish in compromised positions.
Bite as Well as Looks
Aligning visible teeth is the easy part. Correcting the bite (how teeth meet under chewing load) is what makes orthodontic treatment last. Specialists are trained to do both.
Treatment Options at Picasso Dental
The complete range. Each option is suitable for some cases and not others, the right tool for your case is recommended at consultation.
Traditional Metal Braces
When: Standard cases, complex extraction patterns, severe rotations, budget-conscious treatment.
Trade-off: Most visible. Lowest cost. Most durable.
Self-Ligating Metal Braces
When: Patients wanting fewer adjustments, easier hygiene, slightly cleaner appearance.
Trade-off: More expensive than traditional metal. Still visible.
Ceramic Braces
When: Adults wanting fixed-brace effectiveness with much less visibility. Tooth-coloured brackets.
Trade-off: More brittle than metal. More expensive.
Lingual Braces
When: Adults wanting completely invisible orthodontics, fixed brackets bonded to the back of the teeth.
Trade-off: Premium pricing. Slight initial speech adaptation. Most technically demanding option.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
When: Discreet, removable treatment. Picasso is a Platinum Elite Provider.
Trade-off: Requires 22 hours daily wear self-discipline. Not suited to every case.
Other Clear Aligners
When: Budget-conscious patients seeking removable aligner treatment for simpler cases.
Trade-off: Less brand documentation than Invisalign. Better suited to mild cases.
Decision Pages: How to Choose
Three of the most-asked questions at orthodontic consultations. Each has its own dedicated decision guide.
Invisalign vs Braces
The most-asked decision. Compare cost, treatment time, aesthetics, lifestyle impact, and case suitability for both options.
Invisalign Cost Guide
Complete pricing across all Invisalign tiers (Essentials to Comprehensive), what's included, savings vs Australia, USA and UK.
Treatment for Crooked Teeth
Symptom-led entry: which option fits your specific concern, mild crowding, gaps, rotations, complex bite issues.
The Orthodontic Process at Picasso
Specialist-led from day one. The same protocol regardless of which appliance is chosen.
Specialist Consultation
Specialist orthodontist evaluates your bite, alignment and jaw relationships. Free initial visit.
Day 1 · 60 minRecords & Planning
OPG and Cephalometric X-rays, photographs, iTero scan or impressions. ClinCheck simulation for clear aligner cases.
Day 1–2Treatment Plan
Written plan: appliance type, expected timeline, cost. Reviewed with you in person; you approve before any treatment starts.
Day 7–14Active Treatment
Brackets bonded or aligners delivered. Adjustment or check-in visits every 10 weeks depending on appliance.
6–36 monthsRetention
Teeth aligned. Brackets removed or final aligners delivered. Retainers fitted and worn nightly indefinitely.
LifetimeBy Patient Type
Orthodontic treatment is age-appropriate. The right approach varies by stage of dental development.
Children ( 12)
Phase 1 interceptive orthodontics: arch development, expansion, crossbite correction, habit breaking. Often combined with Invisalign First or partial braces. Earlier intervention can reduce later complexity.
Teens ( 18)
The classic orthodontic age. Most options open: metal, ceramic, self-ligating, Invisalign Teen (with compliance indicators). Bite issues addressed during active jaw growth where possible.
Adults (18 and over)
No upper age limit. Aesthetics often a priority, ceramic, lingual, or Invisalign typical choices. Treatment is typically slightly slower than in teens but outcomes are equally predictable.
By Concern
Symptom-led entry points. Each concern has its own dedicated guide explaining options and outcomes.
Crooked or Crowded Teeth
The most common concern. Mild, moderate or severe crowding. Spacing issues. Rotated teeth. Multiple options available depending on severity.
Bite Problems
Overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bite, open bite. Often correctable in the alignment phase. Severe skeletal cases may require jaw surgery alongside orthodontics.
Retainers After Treatment
If you have completed orthodontics elsewhere and need new retainers, or your retention is failing. We make all retainer types and adjust as needed.
Pricing Overview
Per-tier pricing for the major orthodontic options (traditional metal, self-ligating metal, traditional ceramic, self-ligating ceramic, Invisalign Essentials/Lite/Moderate/Comprehensive, other clear aligners) is published on our cost guides. Specialty appliances quoted separately when needed. All-inclusive of consultation, X-rays, treatment planning, all adjustment visits and final retainers (one set per arch). ClinCheck planning fee for Invisalign is credited toward package price if you proceed.
The Orthodontic Team
Both specialist orthodontists hold formal specialist qualifications and dedicate their practice exclusively to orthodontics.
Specialist Orthodontist
Dr. Thuan Phung
Specialist orthodontist with comprehensive experience across fixed braces, ceramic braces, self-ligating systems, lingual braces and Invisalign. Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider. Treatment planning, complex cases and adult orthodontics.
Specialist Orthodontist
Dr. Toan Le (Dr. Mathew)
Specialist orthodontist with broad experience across fixed and clear-aligner systems. Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider. Adult and teen treatment, bite correction, retention.
Founding Clinical Director
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founder of the original clinic in 2013. Sets clinical standards for case selection, treatment protocols and quality benchmarks group-wide.
The International Patient Pathway
Orthodontic treatment is not as travel-friendly as a single implant or veneer case, but it is workable for international patients with the right planning.
Invisalign for International Patients
Why it fits: Aligners are portable. The ClinCheck plan, iTero scans and aligner series can be shared with any Invisalign-trained orthodontist worldwide.
Typical pathway: Initial consultation and ClinCheck during one trip. Aligners delivered in batches. Refinements at the end either in Vietnam or with a local orthodontist.
Trips required: 2.
Fixed Braces for International Patients
Why it is harder: Brackets need adjustment every 8 weeks in person. Difficult to fit into international travel.
Workable scenarios: Patients living in Vietnam for the duration. Long-term residents combining annual visits with adjustments. Patients starting elsewhere and refining with us.
Trips required: Multiple, ~ 8 weeks apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What orthodontic treatments do you offer?
Picasso Dental offers the full range of orthodontic options: traditional metal braces, self-ligating metal braces, ceramic braces (traditional and self-ligating), lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces, Invisalign clear aligners (Platinum Elite Provider), non-Invisalign clear aligners, and specialty bite-correction appliances. Treatment is planned by specialist orthodontists Dr. Thuan Phung and Dr. Toan Le.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost in Vietnam?
Full-course pricing varies by appliance type (traditional metal, self-ligating, ceramic, lingual, Invisalign tiers from Essentials to Comprehensive) and case complexity. Per-tier pricing is published on our cost guide and our Invisalign cost guide. Specialty appliances are quoted separately.
Are Invisalign or braces better?
Both are effective. Invisalign is more discreet and removable, but requires self-discipline ( 22 hours wear daily) and is not suited to every case. Fixed braces handle severe rotations, complex extraction cases and certain bite corrections more predictably. Our specialist orthodontists recommend honestly based on your case after a free consultation.
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Mild cases: 12 months. Moderate cases: 24 months. Severe and complex cases: 36 months. Both Invisalign and fixed braces follow similar timelines for similar case complexity.
Do I see a specialist orthodontist or a general dentist?
All orthodontic cases at Picasso Dental are planned and managed by specialist orthodontists. Dr. Thuan Phung and Dr. Toan Le (Dr. Mathew) hold specialist orthodontic qualifications and dedicate their practice to orthodontics.
Will I need retainers after treatment?
Yes, long-term. Teeth naturally drift, especially in the first year after treatment. Picasso supplies clear, Hawley, fixed and Vivera retainers, with per-jaw and both-jaws pricing on our cost guide. Nightly wear indefinitely is recommended.
Can adults have orthodontic treatment?
Yes, there is no upper age limit for orthodontics. Adult orthodontics is a major part of our practice. Bone remodelling is somewhat slower in adults than children, so treatment may take slightly longer, but outcomes are equally predictable. Many adults choose ceramic braces, lingual braces or Invisalign for aesthetics.
What if I have crooked teeth and a bite problem?
Both can usually be addressed in a single treatment. Bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bite, open bite) are often related to tooth alignment and corrected together with the alignment phase. Severe skeletal bite problems may require coordinated orthognathic (jaw) surgery.
Can I have orthodontic treatment as an international patient?
Yes. Invisalign is portable, your full digital records can be shared with any Invisalign-trained orthodontist worldwide for adjustments while you are home. Fixed braces require periodic in-person adjustments, more challenging for travelling patients but possible with longer aligned visits coordinated in advance.
Related Pages
Dental Braces
Complete guide to fixed-brace options, traditional metal, self-ligating, ceramic, with case examples and pricing tiers.
Invisalign
Full Invisalign guide. Picasso is a Platinum Elite Provider with the complete tier range from Essentials to Comprehensive.
Children's Dentistry
Early intervention orthodontics for children, when to see an orthodontist for the first time, and when to wait.
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Tell us your concerns, crooked teeth, bite issues, age and timeline. Our specialist orthodontists review every request and respond with a recommended treatment, expected timeline and price estimate, at no cost and no obligation.