Your treatment in four steps

We listen to your concerns and expectations and ask about your general health. Your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joint and facial structure are examined.

If treatment is needed, we discuss with you what the problem is, which methods can correct it, the estimated time and the next steps. If it is still too early for treatment in a child, the time of the next check-up is set.

What to bring

• Any recent dental X-rays (a photo on your phone is fine)
• The names of medicines you take regularly
• If you have had orthodontic treatment before, your retainer, if you have one

Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

If treatment is decided on, records are taken so that a diagnosis can be made and treatment planned:

• Photographs: standard photographs of the face and teeth.
• Digital impression: when needed, a three-dimensional model of the teeth is made with an intraoral scanner; no impression material is used. It is always done for clear aligner treatment.
• X-rays: panoramic and cephalometric (side view of the face) X-rays are taken at a dental radiology centre. There is no X-ray machine at our practice.
• CT scan when needed: for situations such as impacted teeth, jaw expansion or planning jaw surgery.

The records are reviewed, a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is prepared for you. At the planning appointment, we discuss together:

• The diagnosis and the aim of treatment
• Treatment options, their advantages and limits
• Whether extractions are needed
• The appliances to be used and the estimated time
• What is expected of you: oral care, wearing appliances or aligners, coming to check-ups regularly
• The treatment fee and, for patients under 18, SGK orthodontic support

In clear aligner treatment, we look together on screen at the digital plan showing how the teeth will move step by step.

Before treatment starts, any decay and gum problems need to be treated by your general dentist.

In treatment with braces, the brackets are bonded to the teeth; in clear aligner treatment, the first aligners are handed over and, if needed, attachments are bonded. For children and in dentofacial orthopedics, appliances are fitted. There may be slight tenderness in the first days; how to use and care for your appliance is explained to you in detail.

Check-ups

With braces you come for a check-up usually every 4–6 weeks; with clear aligners, every 6–10 weeks. At check-ups, the progress of the teeth is assessed; wires are changed or new aligners handed over. Progress photographs are taken at intervals. After each check-up, the procedures carried out are added to your Patient Panel.

During treatment

• Take good care of your oral hygiene.
• Wear your appliances or aligners for the recommended time.
• If there is a problem such as a loose bracket, a poking wire or a lost aligner, call the practice.
• If you cannot make a check-up, let us know in advance.

When the teeth reach the planned position, the brackets are removed or the last aligner is completed. Final photographs are taken and retainers are fitted so that the teeth stay in their new positions. In most patients, a thin wire is bonded behind the front teeth and a clear retainer is given to be worn at night.

You come for check-ups a few times in the first year after treatment, and less often after that. Because teeth can move throughout life, long-term retention is recommended.

More about retention