Orthodontics

Orthodontics corrects misalignments of the teeth and jaws. A tooth misalignment is any position of a tooth outside the ideal shape of the dental arch in the upper and lower jaws that aesthetically and functionally stands out negatively or disrupts the bite of both jaws.

Fixed orthodontic appliances / brackets

Brackets (from the English "brackets") are common fastening elements in orthodontics for fixed braces. They are bonded to the surface of the tooth using special adhesive techniques, providing an anchor point for moving teeth. Each bracket has a device for holding archwires in the form of a horizontal, slot-like lock. The archwire is fastened in this slot using a fine wire (ligatures). This connects all the brackets together. The archwire pulls the teeth into the correct position and must be replaced every 5 to 6 weeks. Today, brackets are made not only from stainless steel but also from ceramic, composite, or titanium.

Disadvantages of fixed braces

Oral hygiene is severely hampered while the brackets are glued to the teeth. Poor dental care can leave permanent demineralization spots on the tooth surfaces or even lead to cavities.

Aligners / Aligner technique

With this method, impressions of the upper and lower jaws are first taken in a laboratory digitally scanned. With the help of a special computer graphics program, a predetermined treatment goal is presented in three dimensions based on the scanned current state of the rows of teeth, and divided into individual treatment phases. For each of these phases, individual, custom aligners are then made to be worn for about 2 weeks each. During this time, the teeth are moved by the continuous application of pressure in the previously calculated direction. In the case of larger movements, small tooth-colored plastic buttons must be applied to the teeth. The next aligners then follow - until the desired treatment goal is achieved. The duration of the treatment usually ranges from 6 to 18 months, depending on the degree of misalignment.

Problems while wearing dental aligners

Since the aligners are removable, if they are not worn consistently, no continuous pressure is applied to the teeth, which can extend the treatment. Adherence to the wearing time of 22 hours a day by the patient is a key factor for the success of the treatment. Also, the teeth should be cleaned before the aligners are inserted, as there could otherwise be superficial discolorations on the teeth. And: At the beginning of the treatment, there may be some lisping until the patient gets used to the aligners.

After orthodontic treatment

The therapy is followed by a usually lifelong retention phase. A retainer (from the English "to retain" for "hold; fix") is a dental stabilizer that is used after orthodontic treatment. The retainer can help the jaws and the newly positioned tooth roots better adapt to the new position. The risk of teeth tipping back can also be minimized through the use of a retainer. The retainer is made based on a dental impression (upper and/or lower jaw). Two types are distinguished:

Removable retainers are thicker, transparent plastic aligners, which must be worn at least at night. If the aligners are not adjusted to the bite and jaw joint, it may lead to joint problems like clicking and pain coming.

Fixed retainers in the form of a thin wire are glued to the inner sides of the teeth facing the tongue to stabilize the newly positioned teeth.