Braces for adults

Here we have collected some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject of "braces for adults", together with their answers:

Question: How long does treatment with braces and orthodontic correction take for adults? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Treatment time with braces for adults ranges from around 5 months for mild crowding to 24 months for complex dysgnathia or misalignments.

Question: What does braces treatment cost for an adult? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: The cost of braces for adults varies depending on each patient’s particular circumstances. We do, of course, have guide prices that are based on those of the Medical Chamber. 

Question: I have a job and can’t afford for my braces to be visible. What can be done? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Both fixed braces (self-ligating brackets) and Invisalign® are very aesthetic methods of straightening teeth. Fixed braces with transparent clear brackets in the visible area – meaning that the brackets on the teeth that show when you smile are transparent – have become much more attractive. The Invisalign® method is virtually invisible.

Question: What about pain with braces for adults? I’m in the middle of my working life and can’t keep taking days off. Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Orthodontics today is largely pain-free. With self-ligating brackets, the pain factor has all but disappeared compared with the conventional fixed-brace methods of the past. With both brackets and Invisalign® the teeth may react briefly to the orthodontic treatment. Sometimes you feel a slight sense of pressure during the first three days. But this soon passes. Being unable to do anything for several days because of the pain simply doesn’t happen with our methods.

Question: How often do I need to come in for check-ups? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: On average every 8 to 12 weeks. However, the intervals may also be shorter or longer. With fixed braces in particular, the intervals become shorter towards the end, as fine-tuning takes place at this stage. (But these appointments then take no longer than 5 minutes.)

Question: How long do appointments with you take? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Between 5 and 45 minutes. 

Question: How long are the waiting times at your practice? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Thanks to a special appointment system and our constant efforts, we are able to spare our patients waiting times as far as possible. Most of our patients work. If they work nearby, it’s often no problem to pop in quickly for a check-up, e.g. during their lunch break, without having to take time off specially.

Question: Where is your practice, and what’s the best way to get there? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: We’re just a 2-minute walk from Stephansplatz, so there are excellent public transport connections via the U1 and U3 underground lines at Stephansplatz. If you come by car, you can park in the Garage Opernringhof or the Garage am Stephansplatz. We recommend coming by public transport.

Question: I’ve heard that you generally offer financing options? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Of course, you can pay for the treatment in full at the start – with the benefit of a discount for paying upfront. Alternatively, you can also pay in monthly instalments. One of the things that sets us apart is that, if you wish, we can work out an individual financing plan together with you as part of your initial consultation. In this case, within the agreed arrangement, you pay as often as you can and as much as you can – interest-free.

Question: Does the Eltz Institut also do dental implants? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: No. We are highly specialised in orthodontic treatment in all its forms and, for all other areas of dentistry, refer patients to their own dentist or to specialists.

Question: I’m very interested in Invisalign – is this method also possible as an alternative to fixed braces? Prim. Dr. Hodecker: Yes. The Invisalign method is being used more and more often, especially for adults.