News
Read the latest posts and news from Dr. Henning Madsen
Fixed orthodontic appliances are more efficient and economical
A common orthodontic finding is the narrow upper jaw with the unilateral cross bite in the lower jaw, which then deviates a few millimetres to one side. The treatment consists
Rapid maxillary expansion can be helpful for children with nocturnal enuresis
In numerous studies there have already been indications that rapid maxillary expansion can have a positive effect on children with nocturnal enuresis. A particularly high-quality study has now been conducted
Fixed retainers do not impair health
Fixed retainers are the standard method of keeping front teeth straight after orthodontic treatment. Without stabilisation, the anterior teeth are almost guaranteed to become crooked again. But does the fixed
Will the costs be reimbursed by my health insurance?
Will the costs be reimbursed by my health insurance? The reimbursement of costs relating to orthodontic treatment depends on the precise nature of the (tooth’s) defective position and on the
Dental Arch Expansion – A Reasonable Orthodontic Procedure?
Informationen aus Orthodontie und Kieferorthopädie, vol. 36, 2004, pp. 155-160. Download PDF (454 KB) (German and English)
Book Review: Clark, WJ, Twin Block Functional Therapy
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 64, issue 5, 2003, pp. 391-392. Download PDF (33KB)
Editorial: Myoarthropathies of the Chewing System: from Functional to Pain Therapy
Kieferorthopädie 2005, Band 19, S. 169 Download PDF (1,6 MB) (German)
TV report: Dr. Madsen talks about additional private costs in Orthodontics
Dr. Madsen talks about additional private costs in Orthodontics Source: WDR „Markt“, 29 June 2015 Unfortunately, a video is not available.
Dr. Henning Madsen talks about unnecessary braces
Dr. Henning Madsen talks about unnecessary braces. A TV report (28 September 2015, WDR) Unfortunately, a video is not available.
TV report: Dr. Madsen talks about orthodontics on BR „Gesundheit“, 19 May 2015
Dr. Henning Madsen, a guest of Bayern 3 „Gesundheit“ Source: BR „Gesundheit“, broadcasted on 19 May 2015 Unfortunately, a video is not available.
Classify orthodontics in a realistic way
Pädiatrix 2009, issue 1, pp. 24-25. This article makes it clear that orthodontics has a secondary importance in medicine and that orthodontic treatments should not be aggressively pushed into the
TV contribution: Dr. Madsen talks about orthodontics – WDR Markt on 26 January 2015
TV contribution: Dr. Madsen talks about Orthodontics Source: WDR Markt – broadcasted on 26 January 2015 Unfortunately, a video is not available.
The Invisible All-Round Appliance
Zahnarzt Wirtschaft Praxis (11), 2004, pp. 82-86 Download PDF (286 KB) (German)
Criticism: Manual Therapy and Osteopathy for Orthodontists
Kieferorthopädie 2001; vol. 15: pp. 81-83. Download PDF (32 KB) (German)
Commentary on the Articles by Collett, You and Kim et al.
Informationen aus Orthodontie und Kieferorthopädie, 34, issue 4, 2002, pp. 265-68. An article that is particularly important to me because it criticizes the still predominant, year-long treatment with removable appliances.
Book Review: Hohmann, A./Hielscher, W., Lehrbuch der Zahntechnik, Volume I
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 63, issue 5, 2002, pp. 446-447. Download PDF (33KB) (German)
Book Review: Higuchi, K.W., Orthodontic Applications of Osseointegrated Implants
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 63, issue 1, 2002, p. 85. Download PDF (32 KB) (English)
Criticism: Evidence-Based Dentistry
Kieferorthopädie, vol. 17, 2003, pp. 253-255. Download PDF (32 KB) (German)
Evidence-Based Orthodontics
Informationen aus Orthodontie und Kieferorthopädie, vol. 36, 2004, pp. 143-145. Download PDF (429 KB) (German and English)
Pain Related Principals in Diagnostics and Therapy of TMD
Zahnarzt & Praxis International, vol. 7, 2004, pp. 478-483. Download PDF (132 KB) (German)
Letter to the Editor: Temporomandibular Dysfunction Treated Multimodally
StK – Zeitschrift für angewandte Schmerztherapie, vol. 19, issue 1, 2003, p. 22 Download PDF (46 KB)
Letter to the Editor: Mandibular orthopedic repositioning
Mandibular orthopedic repositioning: an expensive and risky over-treatment. Comments on the publication of Toll/Özkan „Aspekte bei der Therapie kraniofazialer Dysfunktionen für ein optimales Behandlungsergebnis“ Kieferorthopädie 2006 Download PDF (81 KB)
Letter to the Editor
Temporomandibular dysfunction: Biopsychosocial model instead of a mechanistic pain model, vol. 22, 2006, p. 21. Download PDF (101 KB) (Deutsch)
Myoarthropathies of the Chewing System and Orthopedic Findings – is there a Clinically Relevant Correlation?
Kieferorthopädie, vol. 19, 2005, p.183-192 (Abstract). journals.quintessenz.de PDF Download (German)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 65, issue 4, 2004, pp. 275-279. Download PDF (54 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 63, issue 4, 2002, pp. 259-263. Download PDF (82KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 63, issue 1, 2002, pp. 1-4. Download PDF ( 81 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 64, issue 4, 2003, pp. 239-242. Download PDF (75 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 64, issue 1, 2003, pp. 1-5. Download PDF ( 80 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 65, issue 4, 2004, pp. 275-279. Download PDF (54 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 65, issue 1, 2004, pp. 1-4. Download PDF (52 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 66, issue 1, 2005, pp. 1-5. Download PDF (136 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 66, issue 4, 2005, pp. 265-269. Download PDF (131 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 67, issue 1, 2006, pp. 1-5. Download PDF (122 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie 2007; vol. 68, issue 1, pp. 1-5 Download PDF (82 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie 2007; vol. 68, issue 4, pp. 263-5 Download PDF (91 KB) (German and English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, volume 67, issue 4, 2006, pp. 229-232. Download PDF (128 KB) (German and English)
Book Review
McNamara, JA (Hrsg.), Growth and treatment: a meeting of the minds. Vol. 41, Craniofacial Growth Series, Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/ Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, Vol. 66, 2005 Download PDF (English)
Book Review
Dapprich, J., Functional therapy in the dental practice. Quintessenz Publishing, Berlin 2004. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 67, 2006, p. 151. Download PDF (31 KB) (German)
Book Review
Okeson, JP, Bell’s orofacial pains. The clinical management of orofacial pain, Quintessence Publishing, Carol Stream 2004. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, vol. 67, issue 3, 2006, p. 226 Download
Book Review
W Stelzenmüller, J Wiesner. Pain management in the jaw joints. A treatment concept for dentists, orthodontists and pysiotherapists. Thieme, Stuttgart 2004. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, 2006 Read more
Book Review: PE Dawson. Functional Occlusion: From TMJ to Smile Design
Mosby, St. Louis, 2007. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie 2007; volume 68, no. 4, p.333 Download PDF (29 KB) (English)
The Combination of RME-Appliance and Pendulum Appliance
Information from Orthodontie und Kieferorthopädie 2007, vol. 39, no. 4, pp.275-286 Download PDF (3,2 MB) (German/English)
News from Dentistry – Taking a Look into Dental Literature
13 March 2008Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie 2008; volume 69, issue 1, pp. 1-4 Download PDF (97 KB) (German/English)
Evidence-Based Medicine in Orthodontics
Quintessenz, 2008, volume 59, pp. 977-984. This article provides a brief overview of the need for treatment and meaningful and meaningless treatment measures for children and adolescents – it’s a
Invisible Orthodontics is Always Possible
In 2010, a “Pediatric-Orthodontic Examination Handbook“ was published in two editions by the Professional Association of German Orthodontists and the Professional Association of Pediatricians. It was supposed to prompt pediatricians
There is no Longer any Scientific Justification for a Broad-Based Start of Treatment in the Mixed Dentition
Die ZahnarztWoche 2014 (3), pp. 3-4 After Dr. Madsen’s critical remarks on German orthodontics had been cited by Spiegel Online in November and Welt am Sonntag in December, a joint
Failures and Problems in German Orthodontics
In our opinion, there is a lot going wrong in German orthodontics: there is simply too much treatment, treatment times are far too long by international comparison, orthodontics for children
Too much, too early, too long, too bad: German Orthodontics in the Light of Health Services Research
A summary article on specific deficiencies in German orthodontics. Unfortunately, these shortcomings, such as the often too early commencement of treatment and the absurdly long treatment durations, appear to be
Dr. Madsen Talks About Orthodontics for Adults on SWR TV
Dr. Madsen Talks About Orthodontics for Adults on SWR TV Dr. Madsen talks about orthodontics for adults on SWR television: A perfect smile with professional help, Landesschau Rheinland-Pfalz on SWR
Dr. Madsen in Invisalign-course
Invisalign® is an orthodontic treatment method with removable transparent aligners that we’ve offered since the launch in 2001. The Invisalign® system has been continuously improved ever since. It started with
Letter to the Editor on the Importance of Randomized Controlled Trials in Orthodontics
Letter to the editor on the importance of randomized, controlled trials in orthodontics, Zahnärztliche Mitteilungen 2018, Vol. 118, No. 15/16; Pp. 8-9 German (PDF)
Dr. Madsen on SWR television on 6 June 2018
Dr. Madsen talking about oversupply in German orthodontics on SWR television on 6 June 2018. The associated video is unfortunately no longer available.
Dr. Madsen in the “SWR-Landesschau“ Baden-Württemberg on 23 May 2018
When are braces or brackets necessary or appropriate? The associated video is unfortunately no longer available.
Yes we Scan, the iTero Intraoral Scanner in our Offices
Since November 2018, both offices in Mannheim and Ludwigshafen (former practice) have been using Invisalign iTero® Intraoral Scanners. The iTero scanner allows us to replace classic impressions with impression trays
Dr. Madsen at Bayerischer Rundfunk (German radio station) on 6 January 2019
Dr. Madsen at Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR 5) on 6 January 2019 in the program “Aus Wissenschaft und Technik” talking about oversupply and misuse in orthodontics. Listen here (audio in German)
Dr. Madsen in an interview at SWR 2 “Forum” on 28 January 2019
Dr. Madsen in an interview at SWR 2 “Forum” on 28 January 2019 talking about oversupply and misuse in orthodontics Listen here (audio in German)
Dr. Madsen at the German HR broadcasting service on 6 June 2019
Dr. Madsen at the German HR TV-show “Frag Glaeske” on 6 June 2019 The associated video is unfortunately no longer available.
Dr. Madsen in the television program “ZDF WISO” on 11 March 2019
Dr. Madsen in the television program “ZDF WISO” on 11 March 2019 talking about misuse and overlong duration of treatment in orthodontics in Germany (his appearance from 3:30 minutes) Watch
Interview with Spiegel Online
November 3, 2013 / In Germany, for many children orthodontic treatment starts too early – and lasts too long. The reason: the little patients are very lucrative. Here you can
An interview with Dr. Madsen in the ‘Magazin Schule’ about the right start of treatment and efficient treatment of adolescents
An interview with Dr. Madsen in the ‘Magazin Schule’ about the right start of treatment and efficient treatment of adolescents Download German article
Article in the Stuttgarter Nachrichten, 27 February 2018
On 27 February 2018 an article on oversupply and misuse in German orthodontics appeared in the Stuttgarter Zeitung and the Stuttgarter Nachrichten in which Dr. Madsen is cited in detail.
Article in the Stern 7/2018
In the magazine Stern from 8 February 2018 an article about dentistry was published. In its section on orthodontics Dr. Madsen is cited and typical patient examples of failures in
Article in the Welt am Sonntag
“Braces – All that glisters is not gold” Article on orthodontics that appeared on 13 May 2018 in the Welt am Sonntag See article (in German PDF)
Dr. Madsen at Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR 2, German radio station) on 25 April 2018
Listen to the German podcast interview:
Disinformation and Incitement about Orthodontics
German comment on : German comment
Orthodontics: too much, too early, too long!
Orthodontics: too much, too early, too long! In Germany, with two-thirds of each year too many children are treated orthodontically. In addition, orthodontic treatments are usually started too early and
Early Orthondontic Treatment of Mandibular Retrognathism Doesn’t Make any Sense
Mandibular retrognathism with overjet of the incisors isn’t an uncommon sight as far as children are concerned and appears with high frequency in orthodontics. Many orthodontists recommend an early treatment
Orthodontics and Health – Dishonest Marketing for Orthodontic Treatment
Exceedingly few orthodontic findings are diseases – precisely, the concept of disease is only valid for the lip-jaw-palate clefts. In fact, most of the orthodontic findings have to be classified
The Damon Bracket – A Review
For years, the Damon Bracket has been pushed into the market as a groundbreaking product that has heralded a turn of events in orthodontics. After several dozen quality studies about
Interview “Der Spiegel” No. 18, 2018
“Just Have a Look at This Nonsense” Read here:Interview in the Newsmagazine Der Spiegel (in German, PDF)
The Statement on the Federal Audit Office Issued by the DGKFO is Dishonest and Scientifically Intolerable
After the Federal Audit Office in its annual report had criticized missing care research and proof of benefit for orthodontic treatment in Germany, this caused enormous excitement. The German Society
Manual Structural Analysis (MSA) According to Bumann
The Manual Structural Analysis (MSA) according to Bumann comprises a series of manual techniques for the examination of the jaw (temporomandibular) joints (TMJs). Manual techniques (examinations performed with the hands)
Functional Orthodontics
Functional Orthodontics describes the treatment with Activator-like appliances. It was originally introduced by Viggo Andresen in 1935. Since then, a perplexing number of activator-clones have appeared including the Bionator, the
Early Orthodontic Treatment – a Huge Swindle
According to the international gold standard it’s common to start orthodontic treatment when the patients’ early permanent dentition is present. The young patients are at the age of 11 to
Criticism of German Orthodontics on NDR
On January 16, 2018 the TV program “Visite” on NDR (a regional TV channel) reported critically on German orthodontics. Dr. Madsen was available as interview partner and had contacted a
Fastbraces – the Next Flop in Orthodontics
In orthodontics it seems to be a fashion that some manufacturers of brackets give unrealistic promises in sales promotion. It’s particular popular to claim that in comparison to other brackets
Removable or fixed appliances?
Removable or fixed braces are not a real alternative because the appliances have very different performance. With conventional removable appliances, many essential tooth movements cannot be performed at all. These
The right time for starting orthodontic treatment
Orthodontists often provide their young patients and parents with confusing information about the right time for starting orthodontics. Some colleagues recommend starting with orthodontics when the kids are at preschool
Parents, please pay attention: Removable appliances are obsolete, inefficient and uneconomic
All over the world orthodontics with fixed appliances is considered to be the gold standard. Only in Germany about fifty percent of treatment duration concerning adolescents is performed with removable
Does my Child Really Need an Orthodontic Treatment?
In Germany clearly too many children, precisely almost two thirds of each year, are treated orthodontically. But it is even worse that these treatments are regularly started too early, i.e.
Orthodontics: Aggressive Marketing and Inefficient Treatment
Summary of my presentation at the Congress of the Public Health Service in Reutlingen on 29 April 2016, published in the journal Zahnärztlicher Gesundheitsdienst. In Germany, almost 70% of all
Removable retainers aren’t often worn efficiently and are unreliable
After an orthodontic treatment the dentition would always be prone to relapse if the outcome wasn’t stabilized properly. The stabilization of orthodontic treatment outcomes is possible with the help of
Removable appliances aren’t cost-effective
For a long time it was claimed that orthodontic treatment with removables is cheaper than using fixed braces. Swedish scientists checked this statement in a cost evaluation study, published in
Hand wrist radiographs in orthodontics are obsolete
Surprisingly the hand wrist radiograph is part of the x-rays basically required in orthodontics. Generations of orthodontists believed to be able to predict the special growth spurt during puberty making
Removable appliances have no effect on jaw growth
Since the 1930s many orthodontists, mainly in Germany, believed to control the growth of the jaws by removable orthodontic appliances. Especially with functional appliances like Activator, Bionator or Twin Block
A study from Tübingen proves: Removable appliances can’t be worn enough
Most of the removable orthodontic appliances must be worn at least 12 hours a day in order to achieve the desired tooth movement. Many orthodontists even ask their young patients
Early orthodontic treatment: great promises, modest results
Almost all over the world it’s of common use to start orthodontic treatment when the patients’ permanent dentition is present. This has its logic because it’s generally questionable to start
Orthodontics prior to 11 years of age is scientifically questionable
Orthodontic treatment of young patients is initiated between 11 and 12 years of age almost all over the world. At this time the permanent dentition is most likely established and
Fixed functional appliances have no effect on jaw growth
Since the 1930s many orthodontists, mainly in Germany, believed to control the growth of the jaws by orthodontic appliances. Especially regarding the retrusion of the lower jaw functional orthodontic appliances
Randomized controlled studies
For some decades randomized controlled studies (RCTs) have been the gold standard for evaluating therapy effects in medicine. This kind of studies give the most concise and reliable answer for
Do we need a Ceph for Treatment Planning?
For some decades randomized controlled studies (RCTs) have been the gold standard for evaluating therapy effects in medicine. This kind of studies give the most concise and reliable answer for
Can a dental brace damage my teeth?
Can a dental brace damage my teeth? Any brace has the potential to damage the teeth and the periodontium – just like an effective drug that produces unwanted side-effects in
How often should you see an orthodontist?
The number of office visits required for orthodontic treatment depends on the duration of treatment and the length of the ordering intervals. In Germany, orthodontic treatments of adolescents last 3-4
How long does treatment take?
Orthodontic treatment takes between six and twenty-four months provided that it is carried out using the latest treatment methods according to the current state of knowledge. Unfortunately, treatment in Germany
Do braces impede speech?
Do braces impede speech? The human mouth is not primarily designed to accommodate a dental brace – the mouth is better suited to natural functions such as breathing, eating, speaking
Which is more expensive – a fixed or removable brace?
Which is more expensive – a fixed or removable brace? For each year of treatment, the costs of a fixed brace are significantly higher than those of a removable brace.
Orthodontics in Germany: aggressive marketing and inefficient treatment
An article covering two important issues: first unethical promotion of orthodontic treatment by promising health benefits which are hardly scientifically proven. And second, some conspicuous traits of orthodontic treatment unique
Complete Nonsense: Paediatric-orthodontic examination guidelines
In 2010, a „Paediatric-Orthodontic Examination Handbook“ was published in two editions by the Professional Association of German Orthodontists and the Professional Association of Paediatricians. It was supposed to prompt paediatricians