Only as much as necessary.
Fixed braces:
Efficient even for very complex movements
Even though many treatments today are possible with aligners, fixed braces remain the most effective method in certain situations. Whenever more complex forces are required or multidimensional tooth movements must be carried out, brackets and archwires provide a controlled and efficient solution.
We use fixed braces in a targeted way – not routinely, but whenever they are medically the best option.
Treatment can be carried out flexibly at our locations in Basel and Laufen, as both practices are equipped identically.
When is fixed treatment advisable?
We mainly use brackets in cases of:
- Larger gaps
As soon as extensive bodily tooth movements are required, fixed appliances are particularly reliable. - Uprighting tilted teeth
Severely tilted teeth sometimes provide an insufficient surface for force application with aligners. Brackets solve this problem! - Teeth displaced within the bone
Teeth that do not erupt at all or only partially often need to be integrated into the dental arch using a fixed appliance. - Insufficient compliance with aligners
Aligners must be worn 22 hours a day. If this cannot be ensured, brackets are the safer and more efficient alternative.
The structure of fixed braces
A fixed appliance consists of:
- brackets that are bonded directly to the teeth
- archwires that connect the brackets of the individual teeth
- optional auxiliary elements, e.g. elastics or mini-implants
From appointment to appointment, stronger or specially shaped wires are used to gradually move the teeth into their target position.
Efficiently combinable: brackets first – aligners later
A particularly effective combination is:
- First, fixed braces
→ for large, complex movements (gap closure, crown or root uprighting, alignment of displaced teeth). - Then aligners
→ for aesthetic fine-tuning.
This combination treatment is often perceived as comfortable, as it combines efficiency and discretion – and is easily possible at both locations.
Wearing comfort and everyday life
Many adults are surprised at how quickly they get used to fixed braces.
At the beginning, there may be slight pressure – a sign that the teeth are starting to move. Pain is rare.
Our recommendations for the first few days:
- soft foods
- careful oral hygiene (we show you the best techniques)
- in case of irritation: protective wax for relief
Most patients cope very well with the appliance in everyday life.
Your advantage: precision with maximum control
Fixed braces allow for:
- controlled individual tooth movements
- effective root movements
- three-dimensional control
- stable force transmission
- treatment success independent of daily wearing time
When biomechanical precision is the priority, brackets are often the most robust solution.
When do we recommend fixed braces?
Our recommendation is based on:
- individual diagnosis
- digital analysis
- functional assessment
- your aesthetic goals
- your professional and private life situation
We explain clearly why a fixed appliance makes sense – or when alternatives are available.