Good to know

Our teeth and dentition occupy us almost our whole life. Of course, this also raises many questions, especially if you need special treatment such as orthodontics. We have already summarized a few of the most common and important questions for you in advance, which will also prepare you for possible circumstances such as pain or follow-up treatments.

Do braces cause tooth decay and decalcification?

Orthodontic appliances do not in themselves cause tooth damage, but they do encourage plaque and food debris to build up on the teeth. It is therefore very important to brush your teeth carefully after each meal during treatment. Loose brackets and bands increase the risk of tooth decay. Please inform us immediately if a bracket or band has become loose.

Are there allergic reactions to braces?

Allergic reactions to the materials used are extremely rare.

How often do you have to come for a check-up during braces treatment?

We set a check-up appointment approximately every four to eight weeks.

Why do teeth sometimes need to be pulled?

Some patients have very large teeth but small jawbones. It is also possible in this situation to force all the teeth into the jaw that is too small. However, it often makes more sense to sacrifice one or the other tooth. In this way, the remaining teeth are surrounded by sufficient healthy bone and a strong periodontium and can be adequately nourished and maintained for life. Otherwise, it can lead to receding gums, periodontal disease and premature tooth loss later in life. Leaving the teeth in a jawbone that is too small also makes no sense for aesthetic reasons: the teeth protrude too much and make it difficult for the patient to close their lips.

Is retention treatment required after removal of fixed braces?

Teeth tend to move back to their original position after braces are removed. This is called a recurrence. In order to prevent this, so-called retainers (holding devices, retention devices) are used. These hold the teeth in their new position.

Can root resorption occur during orthodontic treatment?

Root resorption means the shortening of the tooth root. It is not possible to predict a patient’s propensity for this complication. The occurrence of root resorption increases with the length of orthodontic treatment. It is therefore very important that you cooperate reliably during the treatment in order to keep the duration of the treatment as short as possible.

Are braces treatment painful?

Orthodontic appliances move teeth with very light forces. Nevertheless, pain in the teeth and gums can occur at the beginning of the treatment and after changing the archwire, which experience has shown to subside after a few days. If the pain persists, the treating orthodontist should be contacted. Brackets can cause small sores in the oral mucosa in the first few days of treatment. You can cover these problem areas with soft wax. The oral mucosa usually gets used to the brackets after a short time.

Can you eat anything during treatment with braces?

It is sensible to avoid sweets between meals. I also advise against chewing gum containing sugar. Be careful when eating hard foods (carrots, apples, hard bread crusts…). It is possible that parts of the braces will become loose.

Are check-ups by the treating dentist necessary during orthodontic treatment?

Regular caries checks and professional oral hygiene must also be carried out by your dentist during orthodontic treatment.

What to do if the wire breaks, the bracket is loose or the band loosens?

Contact the orthodontist treating you immediately.

Can I chew gum during orthodontic treatment?

Of course, but please SUGAR-FREE chewing gum! There are studies that show that chewing gum can reduce the pain that occurs, especially in the first few days. The explanation for this is that the temporary reduced blood flow to the periodontium, which causes the pain, is reduced by chewing the gum.

Can braces cause gingivitis?

Swollen gums are often the first sign of poor oral hygiene. The bacteria in plaque cause the gums to become inflamed: they swell, turn a deep red color and bleed easily. This condition can lead to receding gums and loss of underlying bone (periodontitis). If gum problems cannot be contained, orthodontic treatment must be stopped.

Do you have any questions?

We haven’t been able to answer your question with the above question-and-answer catalogue? Then please ask us directly using our online form.
We will answer you reliably as soon as we can!

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office@claudia-aichinger.com

Billrothstrasse 58, 1190 Vienna

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