A Message from Dr Jan Tatcha Chaitrakulthong Head Oral Surgeon and Platinum Invisalign Provider at Miradent Pattaya
In recent years, a curious trend has emerged among young girls in Thailand: wearing braces for style, not for orthodontic correction. But leading dental and medical professionals are now warning that what looks like a quirky fashion statement may carry serious health risks.
What’s happening?
Braces, typically designed to correct misaligned teeth under the supervision of an orthodontist, are being used instead as a fashion accessory. Some young people in Thailand are having braces (or what appear to be braces) installed or bought purely for “look” rather than treatment.
Research among adolescents in Bangkok found that the use of “fake braces” (also called fashion braces) is associated with: younger age (mostly under 15 yrs), peer influence, seeing braces as a social-class/status symbol, and less knowledge about dental risks.
In Thailand, the term used is often “FBs” (fake braces) or “fashion braces” — appliances sold over-the-counter, via informal markets or online, not prescribed or monitored by licensed orthodontists.
Why doctors are concerned:
Materials & Infection Risk
These non-medical braces often use unregulated metals or adhesives, sometimes imported or made cheaply. They may be contaminated with heavy metals or toxic compounds.
Cases in Thailand: Doctors reported infections, tissue damage, and even risk of death associated with fake braces. For example: The Dental Council of Thailand noted heart-related complications in a patient wearing fake braces for a prolonged period.
Because the devices are applied without proper sterilisation or dental oversight, the gum tissue, enamel and underlying structures are at risk.
Unintended Tooth Movement & Dental Damage
Although fashion braces are typically not meant to move teeth, the act of gluing brackets + wires can still apply pressure or cause shifts, possibly leading to misalignment, bite issues, or need for corrective treatment.
Enamel removal (sometimes done to fit brackets) is irreversible. One orthodontist warns: “Once it’s broken… it’s completely done.”
Poor fit + inability to maintain hygiene around these devices increases risk of decay, gum inflammation and other long-term problems.
In the Thai study: adolescents who chose fake braces were more likely to interpret braces as a social class symbol, influenced by peers, and less likely to seek real alignment or treatment benefits (versus just the appearance).
The affordability of fake braces makes them attractive (cost much lower than full orthodontic treatment) and the aesthetic appeal is high among younger teens.
Meanwhile, health-care access or cost barriers to legitimate orthodontic care may push some toward quick fashion alternatives.
What exactly are “fashion/fake braces”?
Appliances that mimic the appearance of real orthodontic braces (brackets + wires) but are not medically supervised and not meant to correct alignment.
Often sold online, in flea markets, or by unlicensed vendors — no consultation, no treatment plan, no monitoring.
Materials may be sub-standard; application may be by non-professionals or even self-applied.
What should teens & parents in Thailand know?
If braces are worn, make sure they are prescribed by a licensed orthodontist and part of a proper treatment plan (diagnosis, monitoring, follow-ups).
If the “braces” are purely for fashion (no alignment issues, no medical oversight), reconsider. The risks outweigh the novelty.
Be alert: Cheap, flashy “braces” that you can buy online or in informal markets are high risk.
Good hygienic practice is essential: Any braces (fashion or functional) will increase the difficulty of cleaning around brackets/wires. But with functional braces there’s expert oversight; with fashion braces there usually isn’t.
Recognise the social drivers: fashion, peer pressure, status symbols. Understanding these influences can help families and schools talk with teens about safer choices rather than simply banning trends.
Looking ahead: What needs to happen
Public health education in Thailand: Increase awareness among adolescents (and parents) about the dangers of non-medical braces and how to distinguish legitimate orthodontic treatment.
Regulation & enforcement: Thailand has in the past banned sale/use of fake braces: e.g., the government banned import/production/distribution of fake dental braces because of health concerns.
Improve access to affordable orthodontic care: One of the reasons fashion braces are popular is cost and peer-pressure. If more teens had access to legitimate treatment, they might be less tempted by the risky alternatives.
Research: More data on long-term outcomes of fashion braces (or more precisely, the damage). The 2023 Thai study provides good groundwork.
Final word
Wearing braces as a fashion statement might seem harmless, and for some teens it may feel like a fun or status-symbol accessory. But when these braces are not prescribed, not monitored and not using safe materials, the consequences can be serious: infections, tooth or gum damage, misalignment, even systemic health issues. In Thailand especially where this trend has gained traction doctors are strongly warning: if you’re going to wear braces, do so the right way, under the care of a qualified orthodontist.
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