The orthodontic treatment process is complex, and the beautiful smile you long for is the result of several important steps. In this article we shed light on the journey ahead of you: from the first consultation to the removal of the appliance we walk you through everything, and along the way you can also get to know our diagnostic process performed with the most advanced digital technology.
Most people think almost immediately of crooked teeth, but beyond the aesthetics let us not forget about functionality and proper oral hygiene either.
Irregular teeth are harder to clean, because plaque and food debris build up more easily in places that are difficult to reach, which can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis or periodontal disease. Disorderly teeth can also cause more serious problems in terms of functionality. A bad bite (such as a deep bite or a crossbite) can also cause increased tooth wear and jaw joint problems. As a result, headaches, chewing and speech problems may develop in patients. By realigning the teeth and the jaws, orthodontic treatment remedies the above problems, thereby improving our appearance, the self-confidence that comes with it, and, all things considered, our overall quality of life.
After booking an appointment, we await you in Buda, at our friendly practice located at Széll Kálmán tér 3, where, following the intake, during the first orthodontic consultation we dedicate at least an hour to you. During this time we thoroughly examine your teeth, the position of your jaw and your bite. For this we also employ imaging diagnostics, which in our practice is performed with a dental scanner that takes approximately one thousand images per second, so that we can avoid the discomfort caused by traditional impression-taking. After this, the facial and intraoral photographs, panoramic and lateral cephalometric X-rays that are essential for the evaluation are taken (if you have an X-ray that is no older than one year, it is definitely worth bringing it along). Finally, we discuss and put together the treatment plan together: you will receive detailed information about the course of the treatment and the expected results.
The personalised plan drawn up on the basis of the diagnostic results contains the duration of the treatment, its steps, and the appliances needed for the process. This naturally also includes a presentation of the recommended types of orthodontic appliance. Based on our many years of experience we tell you what treatment and appliance we recommend, but the decision is yours. At the same time, we inform you in advance about the expected cost of the entire treatment and the payment options, so that no unpleasant surprises await you along the way. At Foxxi, instalment payment is also possible. The goal is to find the financially least burdensome arrangement for you, while achieving the best result from both an aesthetic and a functional point of view.
The first step in placing bracket-based, or multiband orthodontic appliances (conventional and self-ligating) is a thorough cleaning of the teeth, so that the bonding material adheres perfectly. After this, we fix the brackets onto the teeth with a special adhesive. These pads form the basis of the orthodontic system. The next step is the insertion of the archwire, which connects the brackets and directs the movement of the teeth. Although the process is almost painless, you may experience a slight feeling of pressure. At the end of the procedure we give you detailed guidance on cleaning and maintaining the appliance, in order to ensure a successful and hygienic treatment.
In the case of invisible, removable aligner appliances, we have to wait until, following the digital impression-taking, the orthodontic aligners are made. Our specialists place the attachments needed for moving the teeth and hand the patient the set of aligners to be used until the next check-up (each aligner is replaced in stages, at intervals of approximately 1-2 weeks). After this, we demonstrate the correct way to insert the aligner. The aligner fits the teeth precisely and snugly, but it also has to be comfortable. If it does not fit properly at first, we make minor adjustments, because it is important for the patient to feel comfortable while wearing the orthodontic appliance. Finally, we provide detailed information about the use of the aligner: how many hours a day it must be worn (usually at least 20-22 hours), when it must be replaced with the next one, and how it must be cleaned. During the regular check-ups – based on what is set out in the treatment plan – we check the movement of the teeth and make sure that the process progresses according to plan.
The regular check-ups are an integral part of the orthodontic treatment process. In the case of bracket-based multiband appliances, these are generally needed every 4-6 weeks. On these occasions we check the condition of the appliance, the movement of the teeth, the overall hygiene of the mouth, and we make the necessary adjustments. Replacing the archwires or modifying their tension is essential for the effectiveness of the treatment.
With removable aligner, invisible orthodontic appliances, the check-ups proceed a little differently. We hand the patients a portion of the aligners already at the start, and they replace the aligners at home every 1-2 weeks, as prescribed. During the visits we therefore check whether they have used them correctly, whether they fit the teeth precisely, and whether the teeth are moving as expected. If we have found everything in order, we hand over the next series and arrange the date of the next check. These usually take place every 8-12 weeks, the reason being that by successfully following the aligner sequence the desired result can be achieved without the need for constant dental intervention.
The orthodontic treatment process ends when the teeth have reached their ideal position. We decide this on the basis of thorough examinations and the results achieved during the treatment. After the removal of the appliance, the retention phase begins, the essence of which is that the results achieved are maintained over the long term as well. During this period retention appliances (a removable aligner and a fixed retainer) are still needed, in order to ensure the stability of the teeth’s new position and to prevent relapse. The follow-up is therefore a very important part of long-term success.
This article was prepared by the professional team of Foxxi Buda Orthodontics.
Professional reviewers: Dr. Dominika Magyar Ph.D. and Dr. Zoltán Pulay – orthodontic specialists
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