Medical Aspects
The medical importance of orthodontics is traditionally greatly overestimated in Germany. As scientifically oriented orthodontists, we know that most orthodontic treatments are predominantly aesthetically-motivated elective treatments without major medical consequences. From a medical point of view, orthodontics is just a long way off, and in dentistry prophylaxis and periodontics are far more important than orthodontics. However, medical aspects of our field will be regularly integrated in our practice in Mannheim, if they are necessary in individual cases.
Holistic Approach
From the point of view of our patients, a perfect aesthetic look is one of the most important treatment goals. However, our concept is not just limited to that, we are aiming towards having the best possible harmony within all of the following individual structures: the teeth, the periodontium, the musculature, jaw joints and the face.
Our concern as orthodontists is focused on overcoming the traditional, craftsmanship thinking of dentistry and enabling an attempt of a holistic approach, in which functionality, facial aesthetics and the human psyche have their own places as independent entities. High quality orthodontics is more than just administering braces to every patient.
Gain Sustainable Results
We are not only focusing to achieve good aesthetics, we also focus on sustainable results by – onwards from the first diagnosis – paying a lot of attention to the periodontium and functional aspects. That is why the periodontal probe and functional diagnostic arches are part of our everyday life in our practice. Periodontal pre-treatment and supporting oral hygiene are also the most common measures before orthodontic treatment.
Cooperation with other Specialists
When necessary, our team of orthodontists will work together with dentists, orthodontic surgeons, along with other medical specialists to achieve a successful orthodontic treatment. Of course, there is also cooperation with physical therapists and speech therapists if necessary.
Beware: Charlatans and Snake Oil Vendors are on the Way
Unfortunately, many orthodontists come up with far-fetched but well-sounding promises of healing for countless diseases. Two internet searches (Berlin 2014 and Frankfurt / Main 2017) showed the same picture: 80% of orthodontists advertise orthodontic treatments with alleged health benefits.
The most common claim made by these colleagues is that orthodontic treatment can prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease and temporomandibular joint disease – while there is no scientific evidence to support this. From chronic headaches to migraine, inner ear diseases such as tinnitus and vertigo and chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system are supposed to be reduced or curable by orthodontic treatment.
Although associations with one or other of these disorders have been consistently claimed for decades – one can almost speak of a certain folklore – there is no evidence orthodontic treatment can produce prophylactic or curative effects in these diagnoses. With such promises, patients are provided with a false model of disease and deceived with unfulfillable therapeutic hopes. As orthodontists in Mannheim we consider this unethical and abstain from such promises.
