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elcome to the
orthodontic practice of
Dr Achim Nesselrath & Dr Felicitas Tritz-Rommerskirchen
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Dear patients and parents,
As of 1 July 2006, we have merged our orthodontic
practices so that we will be able to offer you an even wider range of
services in the future and thereby better meet your needs.
Please
feel free to take a completely non-binding tour of our practice. It is
modern, light and open-plan, giving it a friendly and welcoming feel. It
is very important to us that you not only get the best possible
treatment, but also that you feel at ease at all stages of the process –
from the very first to the very last day of treatment.
We use the most modern technologies available, such as Lingualtechnik's
lingual braces which are fixed to the back side of the teeth and are
therefore invisible, and it is extremely important to us that you the
patient feel that you are treated individually and professionally.
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| Dr. Achim Nesselrath
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Dr. Felicitas
Tritz-Rommerskirchen |
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reatment process
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Initial appointment
The first appointment is used to assess whether
treatment is necessary and, if so, when it should begin. The case can
usually also be assessed for whether statutory health insurance will
contribute to the cost of treatment.
Documentation appointment
This appointment usually involves taking casts of
both jaws in order to create models, a panoramic X-ray (OPG,
orthopantomogram), a side-on X-ray, photographs and drawing conclusions.
The model is used, among other things, to measure the teeth to assess
space in the mouth. The panoramic X-ray helps assess both the condition
of the teeth, bones and jaw, and whether all teeth have erupted. The
side-on X-ray is used to assess the conditions for growth in the skull
configuration and the position of the teeth within the bite.
Initial consultation
In the initial consultation the results of the
documentation stage are explained in detail and possible treatment
discussed. There are sometimes various different options available, all
with different advantages and disadvantages.
Treatment and cost plan
After the initial consultation, a treatment and
cost plan is drawn up for all patients, both those treated under
statutory health insurance and private patients. This plan always covers
a period of four years, irrespective of how long the treatment is
expected to take. If the treatment lasts longer than four years, a new
plan or an extension to the previous plan is drawn up.
Start of treatment
Once the plan has been approved (by the insurance
body in the case of statutory insurance patients, and by signing the plan
in the case of private patients) the active stage of treatment can begin.
Active treatment
During the active phase of treatment we need the
cooperation of the patient, ideally with the support of their family. It
is very important not only to wear appliances as instructed and come to
appointments as arranged, but also to maintain good oral hygiene, since
the risk of tooth decay increases during orthodontic treatment.
Aftercare or retention
Any
active orthodontic treatment also involves aftercare (the retention
phase). This phase serves to consolidate the result achieved by the
treatment. The duration of this phase depends on the treatment carried
out and individual factors linked to the individual case; it can last
anything from six months to the rest of the patient’s life.
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AQ
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What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry which deals with
recognising and treating malocclusion of the teeth and jaws. It requires
extensive and precise knowledge of both the growth process in the jaw and
face area and of dental development. For this reason, orthodontists undergo
several years of specialist training after their dental training, which
entitles them to be called an orthodontist (in German Zahnarzt für
Kieferorthopädie or simply Kieferorthopäde).
What is the point of
orthodontic treatment?
The aim of orthodontic treatment is to establish the
teeth and jaws in a position which will ensure the maximum life-span for the
teeth. In order to achieve this it is important that malocclusion is
corrected at the right time. Orthodontic treatment is also essential in cases
where malocclusion makes biting or chewing difficult or impossible, and in
cases where lip or tongue functions, breathing or speech are affected
How do “crooked” teeth develop?
In
orthodontics we make a distinction between malocclusion of the jaws (where
the position of the jaws in relation to each other is incorrect) and of the
teeth (where the position of the teeth within the jaw is incorrect).
Malocclusion of the teeth or jaws can be hereditary or can arise from
physical causes, such as thumb-sucking. The premature loss of a milk tooth
from decay can also lead to malocclusion of the teeth.
At what age does a patient
receive orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is usually started when the patient is between nine and
twelve years old. This means that subsequent growth can be used to assist
correction of jaw positioning. Treatment usually takes around 3-4 years.
Treatment from the age of three to four years (early treatment) is only
carried out in certain cases e.g. in cases of extreme malocclusion of the jaw
in order to re-establish a normal growth pattern. In a small number of
malocclusion cases, unpreventable awkward growth means that normal
orthodontic treatment is not possible. Once the patient has stopped growing
(after the age of 17 or 18) additional surgical measures are then necessary.
It is possible to correct tooth positioning at any age (even in adults) and
this is often necessary before teeth are replaced or in cases of jaw-related
problems.
How are “straight” teeth achieved?
“Removable” and “fixed” braces are used to correct malocclusions of the teeth
and jaws. Fixed braces are stuck onto the teeth which means that, in contrast
to removable braces, they cannot be taken out. In general terms, fixed braces
are used to treat “crooked” teeth and removable braces are used to correct
jaw positioning. There are, however, cases where these areas of treatment
overlap. Where malocclusion of the jaw is the result of a physical cause,
e.g. thumb-sucking or incorrect swallowing, this cause must also be tackled,
as the braces may otherwise work only partially, or not at all.
Do I need orthodontic treatment?
The
need for orthodontic treatment should always be assessed individually by an
orthodontist, as the issue is less the current degree of deviation from the
“norm” and more the possible future developments or complications. Ask your
orthodontist!
Apart from good general oral care,
what else can I do to protect my teeth during orthodontic treatment?
During orthodontic treatment, the concentration of
decay-causing bacteria in your mouth can double (with removable appliances)
to triple (with fixed appliances), so it can be wise to have your individual
risk of tooth decay assessed tested using a caries risk test (CRT). An
individual preventative treatment plan for the treatment period can be worked
out in conjunction with this test. Quite apart from any other special
measures, it is advisable that fixed brackets should be stuck onto a
fluoride-releasing protective layer rather than straight onto the tooth. This
protective layer (sealing) is applied to the entire surface of the tooth
immediately before the brackets are positioned. This helps to effectively
protect the tooth, at least in the early stages of treatment when the patient
is not yet used to their oral care regime. In order to protect the areas
between the teeth, patients with fixed appliances are advised to have their
teeth professionally cleaned once every three months. We apply a protective
anti-bacterial lacquer to the teeth after each teeth-cleaning session, which
helps prevent bacteria from multiplying for a short time.
What is the difference between a
dentist and an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed three to
four years of supplementary specialist training. This period is spent
specialising exclusively in the field of orthodontics. The training
culminates in an examination before a specialist panel composed of a
professor of orthodontics and several established orthodontists. Only
individuals who have completed this specialist training are entitled to call
themselves orthodontists (Kieferorthopäde/in or Zahnarzt für
Kieferorthopädie). However, dentists who have not completed this
specialist training can also carry out orthodontic treatment.
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ppointment
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Orthodontic practice
Dr. Achim G. Nesselrath & Dr. Felicitas
Tritz-Rommerskirchen
Fachzahnärtze für Kieferorthopädie (Kieferorthopäden)
Minoritenhof am Marktplatz
Lintorfer Strasse 9
40878 Ratingen
| Tel.: |
02102-21812 |
| Fax: |
02102-21811 |
Consultation
hours
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Monday |
8.30-11.45 Uhr |
13.00-19.00 Uhr |
| Tuesday |
8.30-11.45 Uhr |
13.00-18.00 Uhr |
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Wednesday |
8.30-11.45 Uhr |
13.00-19.00 Uhr |
| Thursday |
8.30-11.45 Uhr |
13.00-18.00 Uhr |
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Friday |
8.30-11.45 Uhr |
13.00-17.30 Uhr |
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Consultation
hours
for adults
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| Wednesday |
17.30-18.30 Uhr |
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Friday |
16.00-17.30 Uhr |
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as well as after arrangements |
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Practice service:
for needless blocking of the consultation hours, please cancel
mistimed appointments.
During weekends and in the
evenings you will receive the number of the appropriate dental emergency
service by calling following number: 0180 5986700.
Please click here for your
personal appointment service.
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ontact us
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Address for our orthodontic practice (Praxis für
Kieferorthopädie)
Dr. Achim G. Nesselrath & Dr. Felicitas
Tritz-Rommerskirchen
Fachzahnärtzte für Kieferorthopädie (Kieferorthopäden)
Minoritenhof am Marktplatz
Lintorfer Strasse 9
40878 Ratingen
Tel.: 02102-21812
Fax: 02102-21811
Click here for our
contact form
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ow to find us
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You can get here using public
transport, on the following lines:
| Bus |
749, 753, 757, 759,
760, |
Stop Ratingen Mitte |
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761, 771, 773, 015,
016 |
(Busbahnhof) |
| Tram |
712 |
Stop Grabenstraße |
If you are travelling
by car you can use the Rathaus or
Turmstraße car parks, or the car park at the Medienzentrum.
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If you are collecting or
dropping off a patient by car:
Turn off Lintorfer Straße; you can stop briefly in
the street "Am Trinsenturm" (no parking is allowed).
The entrance to the practice is back across the Minoritenhof. |
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