Orthodontic devices / early treatment

Plate devices

These devices are placed separately in the upper and lower jaw and can achieve many different things.

Bionator

A bionator is a one-piece appliance that can affect both the upper and lower jaw at the same time. It corrects the position of the jaws during growth and normalises functional processes.

Oral vestibular plate

The oral vestibule plate provides a simple way for young children to self-regulate the position of their teeth. It is mainly used to protect the lip or tongue.

When planning orthodontic treatment, we decide which appliances are best suited to correct the jaw abnormalities and misalignment of the teeth. In principle, removable braces such as plates or functional orthodontic devices can be considered as well as fixed devices such as bands, brackets, metal arches or external braces.

Common concerns and prejudices

Parents often suggest planning their children's treatment with fixed devices from the outset because they doubt that children will wear removable braces reliably. In this way, they hope to be independent of the patient's cooperation, which is important for the success of the treatment. Some fear that the fixed braces could damage the teeth. Others say that the glued-on metal plates or the external braces are so unsightly that they are very reluctant to use them. However, none of these arguments are valid when choosing an orthodontic treatment device.

The most important factors in the choice of orthodontic devices are:

• Type of dental anomaly
• Age of the patient
• General condition of the patient
• Number of existing permanent teeth
• The patient's ability to maintain oral hygiene

The following corrections are best achieved with fixed devices:

• Resolution of a pronounced bottleneck
• Tooth rotations
• Elimination of a severe lack of space
• Physical movement of the teeth
• Necessary shifting of teeth over long distances, etc.

The following corrections are best achieved with removable braces:

• Widening of the dental arches
• Correction of a large frontal step during growth
• Forward displacement of the lower jaw to take advantage of growth
• Correction of functional disorders of the dentition and musculature

Fixed devices require reliability

Fixed devices are almost exclusively used on permanent teeth. They are therefore rarely suitable for very young patients with many milk teeth. They require above-average oral hygiene. The bonded metal plates (brackets) and cemented bands (steel rings) do not damage tooth enamel, but in combination with the inserted metal bracket they make teeth difficult to clean. This can lead to plaque pockets. The plaque that remains on the teeth can lead to decalcification, tooth decay and gum inflammation.

Important: regular check-ups

Patients with fixed devices need to make sure that these are checked regularly. Loose bands and brackets can increase the risk of decalcification. Overstressing the archwire can damage the roots of the teeth. The combination of these appliances with external braces or the regular use of rubber rings is often essential for successful treatment. Treatment with these devices is very demanding on the patient.