Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of orthodontics?
- Do I really have to wear a brace?
- When should treatment begin?
- Does treatment with a fixed brace hurt?
- What can I eat if I have a fixed appliance?
- How long will orthodontic treatment take?
What is the purpose of orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a special discipline which involves the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of irregularities of the teeth.
Orthodontic treatment is not a question of age. It can be carried out at any age.
Like no other discipline of dentistry, orthodontics impacts on smile and facial aesthetics.
Orthodontics addresses not only the position of teeth in the jaw but also the correlation of the jaws and their position with respect to the patient’s face.
The misalignment of teeth and jaws can interfere with vital functions such as chewing, breathing and speaking.
Crowded teeth can cause the formation of periodontitis and caries.
To enable us to develop a clear, realistic treatment concept, we need certain diagnostic records.
These initial records are measured both manually and digitally, and then evaluated to allow us to use these data to develop a detailed treatment plan.
We will, of course, discuss the result of our evaluation with you, and frequently we will be able to suggest various potential treatment methods and treatment goals.
During your orthodontic treatment, we will undertake ongoing diagnostic procedures to ensure that the treatment goal is achieved.
A healthy, beautiful smile will inspire you and those around you.
Do I really have to wear a brace?
If your upper and lower jaw do not bite together properly and your teeth are crooked in your jaw, this is unaesthetic and can have serious consequences.
Crowded teeth can help caries and periodontitis develop faster, and interfere with chewing.
Mouth breathing causes colds in the mouth, nose and throat. Malpositioning of teeth can interfere with speech.
Patients with protruding teeth or teeth tilted forward are statistically far more likely to suffer damage to teeth than patients with straight teeth.
When should treatment begin?
There are no age limits in orthodontics but most orthodontic treatment begins during the 2nd phase of dentition i.e. between the age of 9 and 11. This is when the jaws are still growing and the orthodontist can treat misalignment of teeth and jaws by timing treatment measures to match the child’s growth spurt.
Lengthy treatment can be avoided for many children if parents take their child to see a dental specialist between the ages of 5 and 6.
If treatment for irregularities of the teeth is postponed until the child becomes an adult at 17 or 18 and has stopped growing, extensive misalignments of the jaw can only be corrected by surgery.
Does treatment with a fixed brace hurt?
Teeth are only moved in their sockets.
Some patients feel a slight pressure, others a slight discomfort.
Fortunately, it only takes a few days for your body to get used to this new situation.
Keeping to a softer diet of yoghurt, soup, tender meat and vegetables for a few days helps.
What can I eat if I have a fixed appliance?
Patients have to make some changes in their diet.
A softer diet is recommended during the first few days because of tooth mobility, premature contacts or slight sensitivity when chewing.
Extremely hard food should be avoided as this could detach the brackets.
Apples and other hard food should be cut up into small pieces. Sticky food such as chewing gum should also be avoided.
How long will orthodontic treatment take?
There is no general answer to this question.
The extent of the tooth movement required and the speed with which the patient’s tissue responds differ from patient to patient and therefore affect the length of treatment.
In most cases, the length of treatment depends on the level of patient compliance. Depending on how severe the degree of misalignment is, treatment generally takes between one and three years.
We will be able to give you an initial estimate of the expected length of treatment on your first visit.