Questions & Answers About Braces, Brackets, Aligners, and Orthodontics in General

We mainly use Damon brackets in our practices. Damon brackets are self-ligating brackets, which means that the wire/archwire is held in place by a sliding latch mechanism inside the bracket rather than by an elastic band. Damon brackets cause less friction (loss of force) than conventional (non-self-ligating) brackets. They are also very small, which makes it easier to clean between the brackets.

The answer to this question is so individual that no general statement can be made. In principle, however, treatment that “only” straightens the teeth is completed more quickly than treatment that involves changing the position of the jaws. This is the case, for example, if your lower jaw is too far “back” or too far “forward.”

The better you cooperate—that is, the more you follow your orthodontist’s instructions—the smoother and faster the treatment will generally go.

A distal bite occurs when the lower jaw or lower dental arch is positioned too far back in relation to the upper jaw or upper dental arch. Well-known examples of this include Bart Simpson and Freddy Mercury.

If you receive removable braces from us, we’ll also give you a case for them. If you’ve lost your case, just let us know.

As a general rule: if something comes loose or breaks, please let your orthodontist know as soon as possible. He or she will then schedule an emergency appointment with you to fix the problem.
If the archwire is loose or causing pain, you have two options.

Either come see us at our office and we’ll reattach the wire, or go to the emergency dental clinic. They’ll simply cut off the loose wire with a pair of side cutters.

In addition to treatment with conventional removable braces and brackets, a method has become established that uses so-called “aligners” or, in German, “schienen.” In this treatment, the teeth are moved step by step using several thin plastic aligners that fit over the teeth.
The information on where and how the teeth should move is encoded in the different shapes of these aligners, much like a sand mold from a sandbox. Depending on the misalignment of the teeth, a varying number of aligners are needed, and tooth-colored plastic attachments are bonded to the teeth (retention elements for the aligner) to correct the tooth position. The aligners must be worn 22 hours a day, except while eating and brushing your teeth. Since the aligners are transparent, this treatment is virtually invisible.

Dysgnathia refers to a malocclusion of the teeth and/or jaws.

In dysgnathia surgery, the position and/or shape of the upper and/or lower jaw is altered. To do this, the surgeon may, for example, need to detach the upper jaw from the skull or “fracture” the lower jaw in order to then reattach the jaws in a new position.

If the bony upper jaw is too narrow, this can lead to dental alignment problems, lack of space, poor nasal breathing, and, in children, growth retardation of the lower jaw. Palatal expansion is a method used to widen the bony upper jaw. In children and adolescents, an expansion screw is attached to the palate and connected to the upper teeth, and it is activated/turned at short intervals. In adults, this procedure is usually supported by surgically weakening the upper jawbone.

Everyone wants them, and we make them! 🙂 Because they’re not only healthy and beautiful, but they also enhance your overall quality of life. Stop by and let us help you choose!

You’re on an orthodontist’s website. So here you’ll find out the truth 😉 Unfortunately, public health insurance plans aren’t as great as their ads make them out to be. As a result, not every patient for whom orthodontic treatment would be medically appropriate necessarily receives it. The reason for this is the KIG table.

The slogan of the statutory health insurance plans is: economical (cheap), adequate (grade 4), and functional (not comfortable). This requires no further explanation.

If you’re looking for a reason to “cry” along with an orthodontist, feel free to read on. Warning: Have your tissues ready! 😉
Imagine you’re working hard because you know you’ll only earn what you actually earn in “real life.” After three months, you’re allowed to bill the public health insurance provider, though it’s already clear in advance that the provider will decide how much you’ll receive for each service. You’re over the moon because you know how generous our healthcare system is. But there’s an additional, wonderful surprise in store!!! The statutory health insurance providers look at how much you’ve worked and conclude: “Doctor, you’ve worked too much! We’re deducting as much from your bill as we deem appropriate!” Well, the doctor is certainly delighted, because unfortunately he only finds out how much he’s overworked after he’s already done the work. And so his life is never boring, since there are plenty of qualified professionals… but that’s a story for another time…

As part of orthodontic treatment, it is often necessary to attach rubber bands to the braces (e.g., brackets and aligners). These rubber bands are necessary to apply the forces required to move the teeth. Please wear your rubber bands as instructed. The exact direction (how they should be inserted), wearing time, and strength (the correct type) are crucial for the success of your treatment. We wish you every success and perseverance!

An external orthodontic appliance, also commonly known as a “horse harness.” The headgear consists of a metal archwire that is inserted into the tubes of the molar bands and tightened using a neck strap or headband.

Removable braces include:

Plates:
Plastic braces in various colors for one jaw. They are designed, for example, to widen the jaw or move groups of teeth in a specific direction.

Functional appliances:
Plastic clasps in various colors that connect the upper jaw to the lower jaw. Commonly referred to as “double-decker” or “monoblock.” They are designed to alter the position of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw and/or the function of the tongue, lips, etc.

Aligners:
clear plastic trays designed to move or hold the teeth in place.

Autumn appliances consist of metal rings that are bonded to the posterior teeth in the upper and lower jaws, with rods attached to them that connect the upper and lower jaws. This is intended to move the lower jaw into a new position (forward), similar to functional regulators. Because they are bonded in place, they work 24/7 and typically remain in the mouth for 9–12 months.

The slogan of the statutory health insurance plans is: economical (cheap), adequate (grade 4), and functional (not comfortable). Removable orthodontic appliances, such as plates and functional regulators, have hardly changed in the last 50 years and are part of the “insurance model.” New and more comfortable treatment devices, such as aligners, are not covered by insurance.

Ceramic brackets are white and are therefore popular with some patients for aesthetic reasons. Due to their material properties, they can break, unlike metal brackets (see porcelain plate vs. metal bowl). If they ever come loose, they cannot be reattached but must be replaced with a new bracket. Anyone with ceramic brackets should maintain excellent oral hygiene and, if possible, avoid foods that stain heavily. This is the only way to prevent an unattractive white-yellow contrast (between the bracket and the tooth).

It is the abbreviation for orthodontics.

The “gods in white” are the oral and maxillofacial surgeons. They have studied both dentistry and general medicine and topped it all off with specialized dental training. We orthodontists and our patients mainly interact with them when a patient needs surgery for dysgnathia. To put it simply, dysgnathia surgery involves realigning the facial skeleton.

The art of moving teeth, influencing jaw growth and function, and looking good while doing it. 😉

A brilliant move by the statutory health insurance providers (GKV) to reduce costs. Orthodontists must classify patients with statutory health insurance into the statutory health insurance provider’s KIG table based on the findings of their examination. The table, in turn, assigns patients to one of the following groups: those who receive nothing and those who receive something. The table does not indicate whether it makes medical sense to undergo treatment! Its purpose is to reduce costs, and it fulfills that purpose successfully. This system was introduced in 2002.

At our practice, we typically begin treating children no earlier than age 6 or 7. Aligners and functional appliances have proven to be very effective for our young patients. If you have any questions, just make an appointment!

For patients with statutory health insurance, the KIG table determines whether they are eligible for coverage from the statutory health insurance providers (GKV). If the GKV approves coverage, the patient is still required to pay the copayment, which is refunded at the end of treatment, provided the therapy was completed in full. If you wish to receive treatment that exceeds the standard of “economical (inexpensive), adequate (grade 4), and functional (not luxurious),” costs will be incurred in the form of AVLs, which are not covered by the GKV.

Do you love taking risks and aren’t afraid of electric shocks or “extreme” snags? Well then, have fun. 😉

For patients with statutory health insurance, the KIG table determines whether they are eligible for coverage from the statutory health insurance providers (GKV). If the GKV approves coverage, the patient is still required to pay the copayment, which is reimbursed at the end of treatment, provided the therapy was completed in full. If you wish to receive treatment that exceeds the standard of “economical (inexpensive), adequate (grade 4), and functional (not luxurious),” costs will be incurred in the form of AVLs, which are not covered by the GKV.

For privately insured patients , whether and to what extent the cost of braces is covered depends solely on the individual contract with the private health insurance provider. It is not possible to make a general statement in this regard.

The upper teeth should overlap the lower teeth, just as a lid fits over its corresponding “Tupperware bowl.” If the bowl is wider than the lid, the lid “falls” into the bowl and cannot function properly. The same principle applies to the relationship between the upper and lower rows of teeth. If the upper row of teeth “falls” into the lower row instead of overlapping it, this is called a crossbite.

It is a colloquial term for “crooked” teeth or misaligned teeth.

The lingual technique involves fixed braces in which the brackets are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth (= lingual) rather than to the front surface. This makes them “invisible.” Cleaning the teeth is more difficult compared to conventional braces, and there is less space for the tongue.

One way to stabilize the teeth after orthodontic treatment so they don’t shift again. It is bonded behind the teeth (= lingually) from canine to canine (that is, behind the 6 visible “front teeth”). Why is this approach beneficial? Since teeth can continue to move throughout a person’s life—which means they can become “crooked” again—it’s necessary to stabilize them for life. You don’t have to worry about a bonded retainer the way you do with a removable night guard. It is checked during your annual or semi-annual dental checkup and replaced if necessary when it becomes worn or damaged. A retainer can almost always be placed in the lower jaw; in the upper jaw, it’s only possible if there is sufficient space between the retainer and the cutting edges of the lower teeth.

Removable braces include:

Plates:
Plastic braces in various colors for one jaw. They are designed, for example, to widen the jaw or move groups of teeth in a specific direction.

Functional appliances:
Plastic clasps in various colors that connect the upper jaw to the lower jaw. Commonly referred to as “double-decker” or “monoblock.” They are designed to alter the position of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw and/or the function of the tongue, lips, etc.

Aligners:
Clear plastic trays designed to move or hold the teeth in place. Although they do not fit loosely on the teeth, they are removable.

Removable braces include:

Plates:
Plastic braces in various colors for one jaw. They are designed, for example, to widen the jaw or move groups of teeth in a specific direction.

Functional appliances:
Plastic clasps in various colors that connect the upper jaw to the lower jaw. Commonly referred to as “double-decker” or “monoblock.” They are designed to alter the position of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw and/or the function of the tongue, lips, etc.

Aligners:
Clear plastic trays designed to move or hold the teeth in place. Although they do not fit loosely on the teeth, they are removable.

Many dental and jaw misalignments are functionally related or cause functional problems. Speech-language pathology addresses disorders related to language, speech, voice, swallowing, and hearing. For us orthodontists, the therapy targeting the tongue, cheek, and oral muscles is of particular interest in this context. In cases where functional problems are the cause of orthodontic treatment or threaten the stability of the orthodontic treatment outcome, the orthodontist refers the patient to a speech-language pathologist.

When people talk about the costs of orthodontic treatment, they generally mean the financial investment. However, in addition to the money, you also have to factor in the time and effort—that is, the inconvenience—as part of the “costs.”

The cost of orthodontic treatment generally depends on the duration of treatment, the type of braces, the complexity of the case, and the practice’s fee structure. For this reason, the orthodontist always draws up a treatment plan before beginning treatment, taking all of these factors into account.

The cost of private treatment for procedures of moderate to high complexity can range from 5,000 to 12,000 euros. The cost of private treatment for less complex procedures is lower than that, starting at 1,899 euros, for example.

For treatment covered by public health insurance, which takes an average of 4 years, the orthodontist receives approximately 3,000 euros from public health insurers.

For privately insured patients, whether and to what extent the cost of braces is covered depends solely on the individual contract with the private health insurance provider. It is not possible to make a general statement in this regard.

Anyone who wears braces from champ-orthodontics is definitely a celebrity! And not only that—he’s a CHAMPion!!!

Plates are plastic braces in various colors designed for one jaw. They are intended, for example, to widen the jaw or move groups of teeth in a specific direction.

In addition to treatment with traditional removable braces and brackets, a method has become established that uses so-called “aligners.” In this treatment, the teeth are gradually moved using a series of thin plastic aligners that fit over the teeth. Our practice specializes in treatment with these clear aligners. Please feel free to contact us; we’d be happy to explain more.

Major life changes often hurt. During orthodontic treatment, you may experience pressure-related pain in your teeth, but this is usually only temporary and subsides after a few days. In general, however, this pressure-related pain is easy to tolerate. Always remember: “Pain is just a feeling” 😉

We mainly use Damon brackets in our practices. Damon brackets are self-ligating brackets, which means that the wire/archwire is held in place by a sliding latch mechanism inside the bracket rather than by a rubber band. Damon brackets cause less friction (loss of force) than conventional (non-self-ligating) brackets. They are also very small (“mini”), which makes it easier to clean between the brackets.

Please call us during our office hours! If your braces break outside of our office hours, please follow these instructions:
Removable Braces
As soon as the braces are damaged (damage is visible or noticeable), you should stop wearing them. Please call us the next business day during our office hours or come in right away for an “emergency appointment.”

Permanent Braces
If you are not experiencing any pain, please schedule an appointment for repairs during our office hours on the next business day.

If pain occurs, use the provided wax/silicone to cover stinging elements and bridge the time until the beginning of the week or the next day.
Please make an appointment for the repair on the next working day during our office hours.

Fixed braces:
They have virtually no effect on speech. However, the mucous membranes of the cheeks and lips first have to get used to the brackets attached to the teeth—their new “neighbors.” This can sometimes lead to canker sores.
Aligners:
It takes about 1–2 weeks to get used to speaking with aligners in. After that, however, they’re usually no longer “noticeable.”
Dentures:
If you can speak clearly while wearing dentures, you have what it takes to be a TV announcer. The better you wear your dentures, the more clearly you can speak while wearing them. However, they are not helpful in the classroom.
Function controllers:
It’s very difficult to talk about function controllers. For this reason, they’re definitely not suitable for teaching. If anyone manages to explain them clearly, they should contact the TV show “Wetten dass.”

In addition to treatment with conventional removable braces and brackets, a method has become established that uses so-called “aligners.” In this treatment, the teeth are moved step by step using several thin plastic aligners that fit over the teeth.
The information on where and how the teeth should move is encoded in the different shapes of these aligners, much like a sand mold from a sandbox. Depending on the misalignment of the teeth, a varying number of aligners are needed to correct the tooth position. The aligners must be worn 22 hours a day, except while eating and brushing your teeth.

When people talk about the costs of orthodontic treatment, they generally mean the financial investment. However, in addition to the money, you also have to factor in time and effort—that is, the inconvenience—as part of the “costs.”
The financial costs of orthodontic treatment generally depend on the duration of treatment, the type of braces, the complexity of the case, and the practice’s fee structure. For this reason, the orthodontist always draws up a treatment plan before beginning treatment, taking all these factors into account.
The cost of private treatment ranging from moderate to extensive can vary between 5,000 and 12,000 euros. The cost of private treatment requiring less extensive work is lower, starting at 1,899 euros, for example.
For treatment covered by public health insurance—which takes an average of 4 years—the orthodontist receives approximately 3,000 euros from the public health insurance providers.

As a patient with both public and private health insurance, you generally have the right to choose your own doctor. You also enjoy this right during orthodontic treatment. For this reason, you have the option to switch to a different orthodontist at any time.
It is advisable to schedule an introductory appointment with the new orthodontist of your choice before switching. This will allow you to form a personal impression of the doctor in whom you are placing your trust. Furthermore, the orthodontist can let you know whether he or she is willing to take over your treatment. He or she will also explain the next steps to you.

The answer to this question is so individual that no general statement can be made. In principle, however, treatment that “only” straightens the teeth is completed more quickly than treatment that involves changing the position of the jaws. This is the case, for example, if your lower jaw is too far “back” or too far “forward.”
The better you cooperate—that is, the more you follow your orthodontist’s instructions—the smoother and faster the treatment generally proceeds.

WIN Brackets is a brand of fixed braces in which the brackets are bonded to the inner surface of the teeth rather than the front surface. This makes them “invisible.” Cleaning the teeth is more difficult compared to traditional braces, and tongue movement is restricted.

known in technical jargon as “bleaching.” Bleaching, or teeth whitening, is a “bleaching procedure” for which the patient must be at least 18 years old. Bleaching is intended to remove stains that cannot be eliminated by professional teeth cleaning alone.
These “stains” can be caused by, for example, coffee, tea, and tobacco use, medications, or the natural color of the teeth. Crowns, bridges, and fillings cannot be “whitened.”
There are several teeth-whitening methods. Here’s a brief overview of the two most common ones:

In-Office Teeth Whitening:
The entire teeth whitening procedure takes place here at our office.
First, the teeth are cleaned, and we ensure that there is no tooth decay or other contraindications for undergoing teeth whitening.
Next, a gum shield is applied, and the teeth are coated with the bleaching gel. The gel is then activated using a UV lamp. Once the application time has elapsed, the used bleaching gel is removed and new gel is applied. The process is usually repeated 2–3 times. In total, the procedure takes about 60 minutes.
After “in-office bleaching,” you should, if possible, consume only foods and liquids that contain little to no coloring agents for 2 days, such as water, milk, rice, potatoes, quark, etc.
Your teeth may be sensitive after the whitening procedure. This side effect usually subsides after 1–2 days.
You can get more information from us during a consultation. So feel free to give us a call!

At-Home Teeth Whitening
With this method, you perform the whitening yourself at home.
First, your teeth are cleaned, and we ensure that there is no tooth decay or other contraindications for undergoing teeth whitening.
Based on your dental impressions, we fabricate thin, custom trays. These trays resemble so-called “night guards” and have small “pockets” into which you apply the whitening gel yourself.
You can get the trays, the whitening gel, and the corresponding instructions from us.
You can get more information from us during a consultation. So feel free to give us a call!

If you’d like to have your teeth straightened, give us a call or reach out to us via our contact form! We look forward to hearing from you, Your champ-kfo Team 😀

is the colloquial term for orthodontic treatment.

There are various reasons for gaps between teeth. For example, teeth may be missing (not present from birth), or they may be naturally too small, or the labial frenulum may be too thick, or or or… In most cases, an orthodontist can help you with braces. So give us a call or reach out to us via our contact form! We look forward to hearing from you, Your champ-kfo Team 😀

Dental aligners can be broadly divided into two categories:

1. Aligners: clear plastic trays designed to move or hold the teeth in place.
2. Bite guards for people who grind or clench their teeth, or for patients with temporomandibular joint problems

Anyone with public health insurance can purchase private supplemental insurance. This can cover, for example, orthodontic services that are not included in public health insurance. If the supplemental insurance is to cover these costs, insurance companies typically contact dentists and orthodontists to inquire whether the patient had previously consulted them regarding orthodontic issues before taking out the supplemental insurance and was informed about the matter. If so, many insurance companies will not pay.

The coverage provided by statutory health insurance plans is limited compared to what modern orthodontics has to offer.
If you wish to tailor your treatment independently of the requirements of statutory health insurance plans, your orthodontist will bill you privately for all treatment methods that are not covered by statutory health insurance.
These are referred to as “non-contractual services” or, for short, AVL.
The AVL/copayments offered by a practice are tailored to each individual patient and depend on the practice’s treatment philosophy.