Orthodontic treatment
Would you like to have beautiful teeth and smile? Would you like to get rid of disturbing malocclusion?
In addition to esthetics orthodontic treatment has an effect on your occlusion. Crooked teeth and malocclusion can cause different kinds of symptoms, like pain in the area of neck, shoulders and masticatory muscles. Orthodontic treatment aims to align teeth and tooth arches so that everything is in balance and harmony for a functional, comfortable and esthetic occlusion.
Orthodontic treatment is suitable for all ages. With clear aligners adult orthodontics has gotten more and more popular during the recent years. Our orthodontist, Dr Isabelle Manner, does both adult and child orthodontics.
Methods of orthodontic treatment
Traditionally orthodontic treatment has been done with metal brackets. i.e. braces. In the hands of an orthodontist braces are still an excellent and predictable treatment option. Nowadays it is also possible to use more esthetic ceramic brackets and coated tooth-coloured orthodontic wires.
Modern technology allows the use of almost invisible clear aligners (Invisalign). With Invisalign teeth can be moved comfortably and imperceptibly.
At Medident we always choose the preferred method together with the patient respecting your personal wishes.
Less visits to the orthodontist with Invisalign
With Invisalign less visits are required because the patient changes to new aligners themselves every 1-2 weeks. Aligners can easily be removed for eating and cleaning so dental hygiene is a lot easier than with traditional methods.
Our orthodontist, Dr Isabelle Manner, does consltations free of charge. You can book a consultation appointment easily online.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a gentle, comfortable and almost invisible method with which clear orthodontic aligners are used all day and night. Aligners are removed only for eating and cleaning. Ideally the aligners are worn for 22 hours a day but they can be left out occasionally for special events like parties.
Invisalign-treatment in short:
Digital 3d-scans and photographs are taken for treatment planning. We have an iTero-intraoral scanner so you can get a rough outcome simulation in a matter of minutes and also uncomfortable traditional impressions can be avoided.
Our orthodontist makes a comprehensive treatment plan digitally and after accepting the treatment plan a series of aligners is ordered. These aligners move teeth little by little towards the desired position. Every 1-2 weeks the patient changes to the next aligner. The aligners are worn all the time except when eating and cleaning.
Benefits of Invisalign:
- Aligners are almost invisible
- Aligners can be removed when necessary, for example for special occasions like parties
- It is easier to maintain proper dental hygiene
- Less visits to the orthodontist
Why choose a specialized orthodontist?
With clear aligners also general dentists are doing more and more orthodontic treatments. At our clinic all orthodontic treatments are done by a specialized orthodontist.
What separates a specialized orthodontist from a general dentist?
1. Orthodontic specialization is a 3-year university programme that leads to a specialization diploma. Extensive experience and skills in orthodontics are required to get accepted into the programme. The 3-year programme includes service in a university hospital and a public health care unit. The training is focused on facial and masticatory anatomy, function, physiology, development and growth and especially on treating malocclusion.
2. The masticatory organ is a delicate entity. Even small changes and movements of teeth affect occlusion. It is very important to have a comprehensive understanding of occlusion and orthodontic outcomes so that the treatment can be made safely and predictably to avoid unwanted complications.
3. Orthodontics is difficult and requires a lot of special knowledge and skills. Sometimes teeth do not move like planned. At a specialist clinic you can be at ease of mind since usually even in these cases solutions can be found to reach a good result even with alternative methods if needed.
4. Specialist orthodontists have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of different kinds of treatment methods and options. This allows the use of different methods best suited for your case. Orthodontists also have the access to all of Invisalign’s features and functionalities. General dentists are most often limited to only very minor tooth movements.
5. Specialist training covers also facial growth and development and orthodontics for growing children. Our orthodontist is capable of treating people of all ages, including children.
Duration and price of orthodontic treatment
The price and duration of the treatment depends a lot on the difficulty and complexity of the treatment and malocclusion.
Normally fixing both arches (upper and lower) takes about 10-24 months and the cost is between 4500-6500 euros.
For a single arch (upper or lower) the duration is normally 4-12 months and the cost bethween 2500-4000 euros.
You can have an estimated duration and cost at a free consultation visit.
How long does it take to straighten teeth as an adult?
Teeth can be straightened quickly and almost invisibly but the duration of orthodontic treatment is greatly affected by the initial situation. Minor misalignments can be easily fixed in a few months.
More comprehensive treatments involving all teeth and occlusion can take a lot longer, even 1-2 years. The speed of movement of teeth depends on the remodeling ability of the surrounding bone tissue. Teeth cannot be moved safely any faster than the bone remodeling cells allow.
Will the teeth stay in their new position?
When the orthodontic treatment is finished the new situation must be maintained by means of retention. Teeth have a natural tendency to return to their original positions. According to research it takes from 2 to even 7 years for the ligaments that are fixing teeth to the jawbone to get used to the new positions. It is impossible to evaluate this beforehand so the retention phase is extremely important.
Teeth are fixed to their new positions with a lingual wire, removable acrylic plate or clear retention aligners.
Is orthodontic treatment painful?
In orthodontics force is applied to teeth in order to move them. Especially with Invisalign the forces are very subtle and gentle.
Teeth can be a little bit sensitive in the beginning and for a day or two when moving to new aligners. Normally pain is very mild or nonexistent.
Healthy teeth can be straightened almost invisibly
Mouth and dentition needs to be healthy before starting orthodontic treatment. There cannot be any cavities, infections or calculus.
When teeth are healthy almost anybody can go through orthodontic treatment irrespective of age.