Orthodontics are the branch of dentistry concerned with correcting irregularities of the teeth and poor occlusion. Orthodontic treatment is therefore not only a matter of good looks but also of good health.
X-rays enable us to analyse the position of the teeth and the jaw bones. Casts of the teeth enable us to study their position on a three-dimensional scale.
The first examination by an orthodontist should be at the early age of 3-5. Why? Serious occlusion problems can be treated very successfully at this early age. After the second teeth start appearing at the age of 6-8 a second orthodontic examination will discover any new problems of occlusion which demand treatment. When all the permanent teeth are in place at the age of 10-12 the orthodontic treatment of irregular teeth can begin.
No, there isn’t. Teeth can be adjusted at all ages. Orthodontic treatment can be important in childhood, adolescence and even later in adulthood.
Orthodontic treatment may only take six months. But that would be the exception to the rule of several years. Why several years? Several years because we have two distinct phases of treatment: the active and the passive phases. The active phase of adjustment usually takes about 2.5 years until the teeth reach their correct position. This active phase is followed by the passive phase of retainment which stabilizes the new positions of teeth and jaws. Visits to the orthodontist are on a regular basis of every four weeks in the active phase. In the passive phase the visits are more sporadic.
As a rule the orthodontist can choose his materials according to the allergy certificate.
Yes, you can generally eat everything with fixed brackets. Of course chewing gum and sweets can be a problem when they get caught in the brackets and damage the appliance. You should also be careful with food like a crunchy apple.
No problem, we have a lot of them: brackets to match the colours of your teeth, the transparent “Invisalign” aligners and the invisible lingual appliances.
As a rule it doesn’t. But what does damage the teeth is poor dental hygiene! The modern appliances are very delicate and lots of cleaning aids are on the market which assists dental hygiene with brackets. Should dental hygiene become a very serious problem then a protective sealant can be applied to the teeth.
Yes, definitely. Removable appliances should be removed before meals and safely tucked away in their cases so they do not get lost. Removal is also necessary to prevent damage to the wiring. If the appliance has to be stored away over a longer period it should be kept in water.
The removable appliance needs daily cleaning with a strong toothbrush and toothpaste or liquid soap. But please don’t boil your appliances! Your appliances aren’t made for hot temperatures.
Actually not. Remember: adjusting teeth means moving, even pushing them against bone tissue. Such a physiological process requires lots of time and patience. But the time element can be a factor when choosing the appliance.
The face benefits immensely from an alignment of the teeth at all ages. The result is a much more harmonious structure of the face, not only of the smile.
A bionator is a removable appliance which transfers the energy of the tongue and face muscles onto the jaw and teeth. Its application is limited because it does not contain activating elements.