Orthodontic prevention, interceptive and myofunctional early treatment
OrthoPreventAligner® (OP-A) acc. to Prof. Hinz

The OrthoPreventAligner® System (OPA) consists of a fabricated silicon device in various shapes for primary and mixed dentition, which is able to consider the existing dental malposition and orthodontic anomalies. The OPA-System excels by its clearly arranged colour-coded indications for individual treatment assignments with differing initial patient situations. Using this Aligner System, it is possible to remove static functional disorders, such as open mouth posture, pathological resting position of the tongue and incompetent lip closure and it can stimulate self-healing of the resulting malalignment of the dentition.

Furthermore, dynamic functional disorders such as visceral swallowing, articulation disorders (speech impediments) as well as all oral habits can be treated. Already developed dental anomalies can be corrected by interceptive measures.

A normal development of the jaw is possible by eliminating general weaknesses of posture and their causes. Irregular positioned incisors are guided using the OrthoPreventAligner® as they are coming through into the proper dental position, individual malaligned front teeth are corrected, a front open bite can be closed and overbite of the teeth eliminated by promoting growth of the lower jaw.

Experiences with the oral screen (MVP), the habitbreaking device STOPPi® and the individualised silicon splint BRUXI® developed by Prof. Hinz were the basis for the further development of new orthodontic prevention devices.

In contrast to other similar devices, the OrthoPreventAligner® considers different transverse widths of the dental arch for the upper jaw in relation to the lower jaw and their respective dental arch lengths with an exact pre-set neutral occlusion. In case of already existing malalignments of the dentition and jaw anomalies, differently designed lip screens in length and angle are to be considered for treatment of open bite, protruding upper incisors and retraction of the lower jaw depending on the indication. For this reason, the devices can also can be worn without a problem in already existing malalignments of the dentition and jaw anomalies.

"OrthoPreventAligner® prevention"

The OrthoPreventAligner® PR is a training device manufactured of high elastic silicone (shore hardnesses 45 and 60) for the primary and mixed dentition. It helps breaking harmful sucking habits and other malfunctions of the oral musculature. The efficacy lies in the restoring force of the basic material. It is able to align malpositioned teeth into an ideal dental arch. The OrthoPreventAligner ® PR shields the disturbing soft tissues (tongue, mucous membrane of the cheek) and activates the mouth and lip musculature. Crooked teeth can automatically move into the correct position and the healthier nose respiration is trained by closing the mouth.

"OrthoPreventAligner® open bite"

The OrthoPreventAligner® OB is a training device manufactured of high elastic silicone (shore hardnesses 45 and 60) for treating frontal open bite in the primary and mixed dentition. This tooth displacement is already caused in the primary dentition by persistent sucking habits. The OrthoPreventAligner® OB has an extended and strongly retroverted lip screen for the upper jaw, which covers the shortened upper incisors and the arched jaw section. The first indirect effect takes place by preventing the tongue to permanently lay between the front teeth. In addition, a direct effect is achieved by placing the lip screen of the upper jaw on the mostly protruding and shortened teeth, which in this way are guided towards the palate and lengthened at the same time. By closing the open bite, incorrect articulation is removed, pronunciation improves and biting with the incisors is possible again.

"OrthoPreventAligner® lower jaw retraction"

The OrthoPreventAligner® class II is a training device manufactured of high elastic silicone (shore hardnesses 45 and 60) for the primary and mixed dentition. It serves treating a retrusive bite of the lower jaw including the removal of the incisors ledging. This tooth displacement is already caused in the primary dentition by persistent sucking habits. The first indirect effect takes place by stimulating the growth of the lower jaw which incorrectly tends backwards. In addition, there is a direct effect by placing the lip screen of the upper jaw on the mostly spaced protruded incisors. By the removing the incisors ledging,pronunciation is much improved and biting with the incisors is facilitated.

"OrthoPreventAligner® deep bite"

The OrthoPreventAligner® deep bite is used in order to elevate a distinct deep overbite and traumatic sink bite. The lip screen for the upper jaw has a steeper inclination, in order to allow the upper incisors which are mostly inclined toward the palate to straighten up. The OrthoPreventAligner® DB-W is manufactured from elastic silicon with a strengthened bite block. With the OrthoPreventAligner® DB-W, only the incisors of the upper and lower jaws bite on the device so that blocking of the posterior occlusal area takes place. The effect of the OrthoPreventAligners® DB-W is indirect due to the bite blockage of the posterior teeth. It stimulates the vertical growth of the posterior teeth according to the principle of bite elevation of functional orthodontic devices (activator, bionator, functional regulator, etc.). As the teeth lifelong want to elongate until they meet a resistance, one can reckon with an increase of the bite of the incisors and a slightly less overbite.

"OrthoPreventAligner® bruxism"

The OrthoPreventAligner® bruxism is manufactured from elastic silicon, which is able to withstand stronger chewing pressures, such as nightly teeth grinding. Its effectiveness arises from the teeth clenching, which leads the grinding to stop and the jaw joint to relief. At the same time, the teeth are protected against abrasion and damage of the enamel. In the case of other malfunctions due to the tongue or tooth displacements, these can also be stopped with the OrthoPreventAligner® BR-W. Bruxism, which frequently already occurs in infants, is considered by experts as one of the causes and risk factors for disorders of the jaw joint and chewing muscles in adults (CMD = craniomandibular dysfunctions). For this reason, early treatment is indicated.