egger Kieferorthopädie

Welcome

to our orthodontic practice in the heart of Schaffhausen. Our practice specializes in the correction and prevention of misaligned teeth and jaws. We invite you to visit our website to get a first impression of our practice, our team, and the range of services we offer.

Our main areas of treatment:

• Removable braces
• Fixed braces
• Lingual technique (invisible)
• Aligners (invisible)
• Dental sleep medicine (snoring therapy)
• Treatment in combination with surgery (dysgnathia surgery)

With the possibilities offered by modern orthodontics, much more is usually possible than you might think. See for yourself.

We look forward to seeing you!

General questions:

• What is orthodontics?
• What is an orthodontist?
• What is the goal of orthodontic treatment?
• When should orthodontic treatment begin?
• Do all children need to see an orthodontist?
• Is prophylaxis/preventive care possible?
• Is there an age limit for orthodontic treatment?
• How long does orthodontic treatment take?
• Do permanent teeth have to be removed?
• Does the treatment hurt?
• Are there any risks associated with treatment?
• What is the general procedure for orthodontic treatment?

What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the study of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of misaligned teeth and/or jaws.

What is an orthodontist?
Orthodontists are dentists who, after completing their basic dental studies, have acquired the skills to treat dental and jaw misalignments through several years of postgraduate training at a university orthodontic institute.
Swissortho provides further information on specialization and on obtaining the title of SSO specialist/specialist dentist in orthodontics.

What is the goal of orthodontic treatment?
The goal of orthodontic treatment is to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing set of teeth that is in harmony with the face.

When should orthodontic treatment begin?
That depends on the nature of the problem. A good starting point is when the front teeth in both jaws have fully erupted. For boys and girls, this is usually around the age of 8. At this point, you should take your child to see an orthodontist, who can then determine the nature of the problem and decide how and when treatment is appropriate and necessary.
A basic distinction is made between

• treatment in childhood
• Treatment in adolescence
• Treatment in adulthood

Do all children need to see an orthodontist?
No. However, it has been shown that approximately half of all children require orthodontic treatment.

Is prophylaxis/preventive care possible?
The best prevention is good oral hygiene, which prevents tooth decay and the resulting loss of baby teeth. Healthy baby teeth can perform their space-maintaining function and usually promote orderly tooth replacement. Thumb sucking can contribute to the worsening of an existing malocclusion. In addition, there are malocclusions that are hereditary and cannot be prevented.

Is there an age limit for orthodontic treatment?
Basically, no. As explained in the section on adult treatment, orthodontic treatment can be started at any age.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Active orthodontic treatment, i.e., the period during which the teeth and/or jaws are moved and braces are worn, usually lasts 2-3 years. Following this phase, the results achieved must be secured during a retention or stabilization phase lasting several years.

Do permanent teeth have to be removed?
This depends on the individual circumstances. In some patients, the lack of space is such that it is not possible to align all the teeth in the dental arch. The removal of permanent teeth must be carefully considered and planned in light of the possible negative effects on the patient's profile. The necessity of such measures must also be discussed in detail with the patient or their parents.

Does the treatment hurt?
After orthodontic appliances have been fitted, a 1-2 week adjustment period is to be expected. During this time, pain may occur in the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue.

Are there any risks associated with treatment?
The greatest risk, especially with fixed appliances, is tooth decay. Inadequate or even non-existent oral hygiene leads to decalcification of the enamel surface and carious destruction of the hard tooth substance. For this reason, good oral hygiene is essential. Other risks include root shortening, which can be detected with regular X-ray checks.

What is the general procedure for orthodontic treatment?
Chronology of the treatment process:

• New patient intake / findings
• Preparation of documents
• Development and planning
• Discussion with patient / parents
• Active treatment phase
• Retention phase / Stabilization