What do I need to know about orthodontics?
The basic principle of the procedure is that the orthodontic appliance applies a slight but continuous force to the teeth through the use of orthodontic arches and other active accessories, causing the teeth to move and settle into position and stabilize over time.
Malocclusion can be caused by genetic factors, constant mechanical stress (e.g. bottle feeding, tongue thrust swallowing), ear, nose and throat problems, or displacement due to missing tooth(s).
The intervention can be performed effectively in children and adults. In children, there is no need to wait for permanent teeth to emerge, as even very young children can achieve significant results with the use of soft-force myofunctional trainers.
The duration of the treatment depends on the complexity of the case and individual reactions, but the assessment and planning process gives us a very accurate picture of what to expect in time. In general, the recovery process takes between 12 and 36 months.
For optimal results, a speech therapist may also be needed (e.g. for tongue thrust swallowing).
The consequences of irregular dentition can be
- enhanced tartar formation, tooth decay, periodontal disease, possibly early tooth loss
- reduced chewing ability
- jaw joint problems
- with pain abnormal bite anomalies
- chronic headaches
- digestion problems, poor nutrient absorption
- voice training disorders, speech disorders
- loss of self-confidence, loss of quality of life
Patient reviews
Types of appliances for neat dentures
Over the past decades, orthodontic technology has changed a lot. Modern appliances are not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also more comfortable and efficient than their metal predecessors, resulting in shorter treatment times and fewer visits to the dentist. During the consultation, the patient and his or her dentist will work together to select the right appliance for the nature of the problem and the patient's needs.
Removable orthodontic appliances
At the early school age (children aged 6-13), removable appliances are used to correct irregularities in the dentition.
Fixed appliances
After the premolar eruption of the remaining teeth, fixed appliance treatments are becoming more and more popular, and we also use these appliances for adult patients. This usually means a multiband appliance on the upper and lower teeth.
Sub-types of fixed appliances:
- Conventionally constructed metal or aesthetic (e.g. sapphire, porcelain, polycrystalline) appliances
- Soft-force self-ligating metal or aesthetic braces (e.g. American Orthodontics Empower Metal brackets, American Orthodontics Empower Clear brackets)
"Invisible" braces, removable splint systems, so-called aligners
A series of transparent plastic rails modelled on a computer and prefabricated using special 3D printing technology. They fit exactly on the denture and their effect is built on each other (e.g. ClearCorrect)
Retention devices, retainers to preserve the result obtained
Retention devices to preserve the result obtained.
Innovative orthodontic appliances used in our practice for aesthetic and fast results:
American Orthodontics Empower Metal brackets
fixed, metal, soft-force
- Smaller works with less force than traditional appliances, gentle, tooth- and bone-friendly moves the teeth with a gentle process
- More convenient
- Placemaking avoiding tooth extraction for the purpose of
- Length of treatment 1-1.5 years depending on the severity of the case
- Inspection every 6-8 weeks
American Orthodontics Empower Clear brackets
fixed, aesthetically pleasing, soft-force
- It consists of transparent plastic elements (so-called white braces), so that it is often invisible to others
- A can be used to handle even the most complex cases
- The expected treatment time is 1-1.5 years depending on the complexity of the case
- Started at a tense sensation that you soon get used to. Sound production is not affected
- Inspection every 6-8 weeks
- Continuous requires wear and tear
ClearCorrect
transparent, removable
- For those who want to make a difference without being noticed
- In more than 50% of cases, it can be used to handle medium and some more complex cases
- A series of plastic rails that fit precisely on the teeth, with an interlocking effect
- The expected treatment time is 3-18 months, depending on the complexity of the case
- Sound production may initially be slightly affected by
- Up to 2-4 visits in total for the entire duration of treatment
- Requires a minimum of 22-23 hours of wear per day
- Removable for eating, cleaning or important events
The course of orthodontic treatment
- Consultation, preparation of a management plan:
Treatment is always preceded by a detailed consultation and a full assessment of your condition, after which your doctor will draw up a personalised treatment plan. In some cases, you may also need some preparatory dental treatment, such as plaque removal, dental filling, and rarely tooth extraction, before braces are fitted. - Impression, panoramic X-ray, photo documentation:
Your dentist will take a panoramic X-ray or impression and, based on the resulting oral images, will order the orthodontic appliance that is right for you. - Delivery of braces, bonding in case of fixed appliances:
After you have received your fixed or removable braces, your doctor will give you detailed information on how to clean the braces, personalised instructions on oral hygiene (home care, regular dental hygiene) and eating. With fixed braces, the application of the brackets is always painless. - Control tests, activation:
With modern braces, you only need to visit your dentist every 4-8 weeks and it only takes a few minutes to set up the braces, called activation. With removable braces (aligners), you may only need to visit the practice 2-4 times during the treatment period! - Retention period:
The process of orthodontic treatment does not end when the fixed appliance is removed! Active treatment is followed by a period of retention - also known as passive or stabilisation - during which you will need to wear a removable clear splint for at least 2 years (mainly at night) to maintain the result. In addition, a hair-thin arch may be bonded to the inner surface of some teeth, which, although completely invisible and not at all distracting, is an effective way of preventing the teeth from receding!
You should not delay orthodontic treatment because
- irregular teeth can lead to a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem.
- uneven teeth can cause health problems that lead to a poorer quality of life.
- orthodontic treatment has never been easier, more comfortable and faster than it is today, thanks to modern technologies, soft-force but highly efficient modern appliances!
- it's never too late to start, with modern equipment you can achieve perfect results even as an adult.
- it's almost fashionable to wear braces nowadays. Today's aesthetic appliances can even be seen as jewellery; wearing them is a sign of sophistication, showing that you care about your health and your appearance. Even if you don't want to "flash" braces, you can opt for invisible aligners, which are practically invisible to the outside world!
