DentalCare Bochum awarded as "Center of Excellence
Our practitioners are not only certified, but have also established themselves as outstanding experts in aligner therapy by being nominated and awarded as a "Center of Excellence". This prestigious award is a testament to their outstanding performance and commitment to orthodontic treatment with invisible aligners. Our practice in Bochum is proud to have such renowned and experienced dentists who are passionate about providing patients with the best possible care. By choosing our practice, you can rest assured that you will be cared for by the best professionals in the field of dental splint therapy.
What are aligners?
Aligners, often referred to as invisible or transparent aligners, are a modern and discreet method of correcting misaligned teeth. They offer an aesthetically pleasing alternative to conventional braces and are popular with many patients who value an inconspicuous appearance.
Dental veneers can be an alternative treatment method to orthodontic dental splint therapy.
The invisible dental splints are made of medical plastic or polymer and are individually adapted to the patient's teeth. Using advanced 3D technology, the splints are designed to fit the teeth perfectly and achieve the desired corrective effect. Over the course of treatment, the patient will receive new aligners every few weeks to help the teeth gradually move into the desired position.
The advantages of transparent dental splints include:
- Aesthetics: The splints are virtually invisible and allow patients to correct their teeth discreetly.
- Comfort: The braces are made of soft materials and cause less irritation in the mouth compared to metal brackets.
- Flexibility: Dental splints are removable, which makes oral hygiene easier and allows them to be taken out for special occasions or for eating and drinking.
- Predictability: 3D technology makes it possible to plan the entire course of treatment and the result in advance.
Why do I need a tooth straightening?
Tooth straightening may be necessary for both aesthetic and medical reasons. Strongly interlocked teeth accumulate tartar more quickly and are much more difficult to clean. Straightened, harmoniously aligned teeth are easy to clean and look much nicer.
What is possible with transparent dental splints?
In fact, even highly complex cases can be solved with dental splints, but it is important to remember that each case is individual. After an analysis of your teeth in our dental practice in Bochum, you will receive your individual treatment plan from us free of charge and without obligation. We can then use this to determine exactly whether your situation is suitable for splint therapy.
How many rails do I need?
This depends entirely on the individual case. Smaller corrections can be treated with just a few aligner splints, while larger ones require more splints. On average, our patients need 12 pairs of aligners.
How much does dental splint therapy cost?
The aligner price depends on the complexity. The costs in our dental practice in Bochum are usually between €1,800 and €3,500. You are welcome to take advantage of our installment payment with 0% financing. This way, invisible braces treatment costs less than a Starbucks coffee a day, even interest-free for simpler cases.
What does health insurance pay for aligner therapy?
The statutory health insurance does not cover the costs of orthodontics for adults.
With private health insurance companies, it depends on your individual tariff. Some pay for this for medical indications; it is best to ask your insurance advisor about this.
Which aligner providers are the best?
Most of the dental splint systems on the market work. Much more important than the system is the provider who ultimately carries out the treatment. In fact, the big difference lies in the individualized plan that your dentist creates for you.
A treatment plan should be created according to your needs. Which system is ultimately used is not important with careful planning. We use different systems in our Bochum dental practice depending on your needs. You can find more information about one of the systems we work with here.
What is the difference between Invisalign and aligners? What is Dr.Smile?
The main difference between Invisalign, Aligner and Dr.Smile lies in the brand, the manufacturing company and the treatment process. Invisalign is a well-known brand for transparent aligners, such as ClearCorrect or SureSmile. Aligner, on the other hand, is a general term for such aligners. Dr.Smile is a German brand that specializes in aligners and their commercial distribution. To choose the best option for your individual needs, you should consider the cost, comfort and availability of treatment from different providers. Dr.Smile's process differs from that of personal dental care in a traditional dental office.
At Dr.Smile, treatment is carried out in partner practices and includes comprehensive digital planning. The partner dentists work together with the Dr.Smile team and follow their guidelines. This can mean that the treatment process is less personalized to the individual patient compared to the personal care of a dentist or orthodontist in a traditional dental practice, who may have more time for individual consultation and customization of treatment.
How long does the treatment take?
The treatment depends on how much the teeth need to be straightened. In simpler cases, 4-6 weeks are sufficient. On average, teeth can be straightened in about 6 months. In highly complex cases, however, it can take longer.
What do I need to consider after orthodontic treatment?
In order to achieve a permanent result, you should try to keep the teeth in the desired final position. This is done with so-called retainers. There are different types of retainers. On the one hand, the teeth can be held in position with a splint that is only worn at night. On the other hand, it is also possible to permanently bond a small wire behind the front teeth. These wires are available in different materials and qualities.
The high-quality wire retainers lie very close to the teeth and disturb the tongue less. Most patients no longer notice the inserted wires after 2-3 days.
Can I drink with aligner braces?
Transparent aligners are made of plastic, so hot and acidic drinks should be avoided. Ideally, the aligners should be removed for such drinks. However, still water is not a problem.
When should I change the aligners?
Normally, the splints are changed every two weeks. However, the plans for our patients are highly individualized and in some cases our patients can even change their splints every week after consultation with us.
How can the dental splints be removed?
In most cases, the splints can be easily removed by hand. However, there are also aids that make it easier to remove the splints. Ask your dentist about this; we provide our patients with these aids free of charge.
How long should the transparent aligners be worn?
In order to achieve predictable treatment success, the splints should be worn for at least 20 hours a day. Better is 22 hours.