Good to know

Orthodontic appliances do not cause damage to the teeth in themselves, but they do encourage plaque and food residue to settle on the teeth. During treatment it is therefore very important to brush your teeth carefully after every meal. Loose brackets and bands increase the risk of caries. Please tell us immediately if a bracket or band has come loose.

Allergic reactions to the materials we use are extremely rare.

We schedule a check-up appointment roughly every four to eight weeks.

Some patients have very large teeth but small jaw bones. Even in this situation it is possible to force all the teeth into a jaw that is too small. Often, however, it makes more sense to sacrifice one tooth or another. The remaining teeth are then surrounded by enough healthy bone and a strong periodontium, so they can be properly nourished and kept for a lifetime. Otherwise it can lead to receding gums, periodontitis and premature tooth loss later in life. Leaving the teeth in a jaw bone that is too small does not make sense aesthetically either: the teeth protrude too far and make it harder for the patient to close the lips.

Teeth tend to migrate back to their original position after the brace is removed. This is called a relapse. To prevent it, so-called retainers are used. They hold the teeth in their new position.

Root resorption means the shortening of the tooth root. It is not possible to predict a patient’s tendency towards this complication. The occurrence of root resorption increases with the length of an orthodontic treatment. It is therefore very important that you cooperate reliably during the treatment, so that it stays as short as possible.

Orthodontic appliances move the teeth with very light forces. Nevertheless, at the start of the treatment and after a wire change, the teeth and gums can hurt, which in our experience subsides after a few days. If the pain persists, the treating orthodontist should be contacted. In the first days of treatment brackets can cause small sore spots on the oral mucosa. You can cover these spots with soft wax. After a short time the mucosa normally gets used to the brackets.

It is sensible to avoid sweets between meals. I also advise against sugary chewing gum. Take care when eating hard food (carrots, apples, hard crusts of bread…). Parts of the brace can come loose.

Regular caries checks and professional oral hygiene must be carried out at your dentist during the orthodontic treatment as well.

Please contact the treating orthodontist immediately.

Of course, but please use SUGAR FREE gum! There are studies showing that chewing gum can reduce the pain that occurs mainly in the first few days. The explanation is that the temporarily reduced blood flow in the periodontium, which causes the pain, is lessened by chewing gum.

Swollen gums are often a first sign of insufficient oral hygiene. The bacteria in plaque cause the inflammation of the gums: they swell, turn a deep red and bleed easily. This condition can lead to receding gums and the loss of the bone underneath (periodontitis). If gum problems cannot be brought under control, the orthodontic treatment has to be stopped.