Patient consent for orthodontic therapy

Important information and written consent of the patient for orthodontic therapy

Risks and limitations of orthodontic therapy

Successful orthodontic treatment is a partnership between orthodontist and patient. The doctor and staff are dedicated to achieving the best result for each patient. As a general rule, an informed and cooperative patient can achieve the best result of therapy. While considering the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile, you should be aware that orthodontic treatment carries with it certain limitations and potential risks. There are extremely rare risks that may deter you from orthodontic therapy and accepting your existing dental condition. If you are not sure that you want to undergo orthodontic treatment, you can discuss possible alternative methods with your doctor.

Orthodontics or jaw orthopedics is a specialist branch of dentistry that includes the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malocclusions, both during development and after complete development. An orthodontist is a specialist dentist who, after completing 6 years of basic studies, also completed specialist studies lasting 3 years.

The result of therapy
Orthodontic treatment generally goes according to plan and we try to do everything necessary to achieve the best result. The success of the therapy also depends on your cooperation in terms of regular check-ups, good maintenance of oral hygiene, avoiding activities that can lead to a malfunction of the braces and following the orthodontist's instructions. However, we cannot predict all possible complications that may arise and we cannot guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with the result.

Duration of therapy
The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the case, growth in growing patients and cooperation with the patient. The therapist estimates an optimal therapy time, but it can be extended due to e.g. unexpected growth of the patient, the presence of some bad habits, the appearance of some periodontal or dental diseases, as well as due to inadequate cooperation with the patient. That is why sometimes a change in the therapy plan is necessary. When changing the plan, some new therapy costs are possible.

Discomfort
The mouth is a very sensitive region, so it is realistic to expect some discomfort at the beginning of adjusting to the orthodontic appliance. Discomforts can be: increased sensitivity of the teeth when chewing, pressure, tingling and itching of the teeth, sores in the mouth, difficulty chewing, nervousness. In the event of pain, the use of analgesics is recommended. All these discomforts pass within 7 days.

Relapse
It can occur after orthodontic therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to wear a fixed or mobile retainer after therapy. The duration of wearing the retainer depends on the achieved stability of the bite, so it is realistic to expect to wear the retainer as long as the therapy lasted and sometimes even longer.

Extractions
There are cases where it is necessary to extract milk and/or permanent teeth for orthodontic reasons. Tooth extraction is an oral surgical intervention that carries with it certain risks, so consult a general dentist or oral surgeon about it.

Extended surgery
Some patients have skeletal in addition to dental irregularities that require orthodontic therapy combined with orthognathic surgery. You should consult with an oral or maxillofacial surgeon about the additional risks associated with this intervention before starting orthodontic treatment. Be aware that orthodontic treatment alone without orthognathic surgery in cases where combined therapy is indicated will worsen the orthodontic irregularity.

Decalcification (white spots) and dental caries
Immaculate oral hygiene is essential during orthodontic therapy. Inadequate oral hygiene can result in decalcification (white spots) after therapy, dental caries, tooth pigmentation and periodontal diseases. Of course, you can have these problems even unrelated to orthodontic therapy, but the risk of developing them increases when wearing fixed orthodontic appliances.

Periodontal disease (periodontal disease)
Periodontal disease, or disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth, can occur or worsen while wearing orthodontic appliances due to many factors, including inadequate maintenance of oral hygiene. Monitoring the condition of the supporting tissues is essential. If there is a significant worsening of the condition so that the condition can no longer be kept under control, it is necessary to stop the orthodontic therapy.

Injuries caused by wearing orthodontic appliances
They can occur during the process of getting used to wearing a fixed appliance, and these are the most common sores on the mucous membrane that go away quickly. During the removal of the fixed orthodontic appliance, injuries can occur to both the teeth and the dental restorations. Enamel, fillings or ceramic crowns may be damaged, so it is sometimes necessary to take care of these damages that occurred during the removal of the appliance. The risk is greater when wearing aesthetic fixed appliances.

Headgear (extraoral appliances)
There are cases in which it is necessary to wear extraoral devices. These devices are worn exclusively at home during the day or at night. Sports activities and children's games should be avoided while wearing these devices. The use of these devices is charged additionally.

Bite adjustment
In some cases, minimal enamel removal and leveling of some tooth surfaces is required at the end of the treatment in order to ensure a stable and long-lasting result of orthodontic therapy.

Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth can disrupt the results of orthodontic therapy, so sometimes it is necessary to consider their removal in order to ensure a stable and long-lasting correct bite.

Imperfections at the end of the treatment
In some cases, due to wide variations in the size and shape of teeth, missing teeth, etc. it is impossible to ensure maximum aesthetics without additional interventions on the teeth (whitening, crowns, veneers).

Allergies
They are really very rare for materials used in orthodontic therapy. If they occur, it is necessary to change the therapy plan or sometimes even stop the therapy. Drug treatment of allergic reactions is also sometimes required.

Consumption of tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco compromises the maintenance of oral hygiene. It also leads to discolored teeth and the appearance of yellow and dark pigmentation in patients with fixed braces!

Use of mini-implants as a temporary abutment
Your therapy may also include the use of mini-implants as an abutment. Anesthesia is applied during placement and removal of implants. There are risks involved in placing these temporary mini-implants. In this regard, consult an orthodontist. Application of mini-implants is charged additionally.

Orthodontic therapy itself is specific because it lasts a long time (years in question) and requires good cooperation between the therapist and the patient (the patient's wishes are one thing, and the therapist's capabilities are another). The possibilities of orthodontic therapy are greater in patients who are still growing, and the best results are achieved in the pre-puberty period (8-12) when it comes to movable appliances and the pubertal period (12-16 years) when it comes to fixed appliances. the therapy itself is such that a detailed specialist examination must be made with the necessary taking of prints and radiographs and a therapy plan drawn up. The decision to consent to therapy for minors is made by the parent and signs the consent.

• Each case is unique and the body's response to orthodontic forces is completely individual!
• The therapist reserves the discretionary right to refuse to provide the therapy service itself if he/she decides not to can achieve the desired cooperation with the patient!
•  Payment of the therapy can be in full, whereby we approve a discount of 10%, or in installments with the condition that it is necessary to pay 50% of the total price of the therapy at the beginning, and the rest can be in installments, but the minimum amount of the installment should be less than €100!
• Control examinations are included in the price of the therapy, what is not included is the retainer that is necessary at the end of the therapy.
• If the patient has paid for the therapy and has not appeared for a check-up for 6 months (without announcing his absence), the check-ups cease to be free and are charged according to the price list.