Healthy smile day: Estonians choose bright braces, and foreigners go to Estonia to be treated
Today, May 15, World Orthodontic Health Day is celebrated. On this occasion, Estonian orthodontists shared the most interesting and relevant facts from their area.
Bright braces
A few years ago, the main problem was to make braces as low as possible – patients were ready to install expensive structures at a double price, if only they were not striking. Today, the trend has changed: children and adolescents, on the contrary, want their braces to be noticeable and attracted.
Dr. Liis-Eleen Kalmer, a member of the Board of the Society of Estonia Ortodontists, said that the braces become part of the wardrobe: “For example, on Christmas they often ask for bright red and green orthodontic elasticists, and on Halloween-the alternation of orange and black. This is part of the costume. ” According to her, this also reflects the growing awareness of children and adolescents: “In orthodontic treatment, the joint work of the doctor and the patient is very important. If earlier the children had to persuade the treatment, and it was postponed to the last, today they are upset if braces cannot get enough, ”the doctor laughs.
Foreign patients
In recent years, the number of foreign patients has increased significantly in Estonia – in some clinics, their share reaches 20%. The President of the Society of Estonia Orthodons, Dr. Katriean, said that many foreign workers and e-residents who cooperate with local companies prefer to undergo complex and long-term treatment in Estonia.
“This trend was especially intensified in large cities after Covid pandemia. On the one hand, the cost of treatment in Estonia is noticeably lower than on average in Europe, on the other hand, patients note the high quality of services and the possibility of communication in clinics in English, Finnish and Russian, ”said Dr. Herman.
According to her, the proportion of foreign patients in Tallinn, Tartu and Pyarn is especially great.
Adults and children – equally
In Estonia, the health cash desk covers orthodontic treatment only for children under 19 years old with certain diagnoses, so young patients prevailed in clinics for many years. However, in recent years, a balance has arisen – more and more adults have been investing in health and a beautiful smile.
“Thanks to social networks, Orthodontics has more work – a beautiful smile has acquired special significance. In our area, there is even a special term – Social Six: when smiling, six front teeth are visible from above and below, and it is precisely their alignment that adult patients are most often addressed, ”explains Katri Herman.
According to her, although some doctors note a slight decrease in the number of patients due to an economic recession, there is no need to talk about serious changes yet. “Small teeth have become a symbol of social success, and since treatment is quite expensive, it also indicates financial well -being. Although we, as doctors, are primarily talking about the right bite, other bonuses are important for patients. In a society oriented towards youth, well -being and success, this is impossible to ignore, ”Herman sums up.
The main facts about orthodontics in Estonia
Today in Estonia there are 73 orthodontists taking patients in Tallinn, Tartu, as well as in Rakvere, Pyarn, Rousse, Viliandi and Kuussaar. Of the 73 specialists – 69 women and 4 men. Each of them has passed eight -year training, and at least 60 hours of continuing education passes annually.
According to the internal survey of the Society of Estonia Orthodox, the load of doctors in the country significantly exceeds the norm of full working time. Many experts work at once in several clinics or use the so -called “system of several seats”, in which patients are taken simultaneously in several dental seats.
In April 2025, the teacher of the University of Tartu, Dr. Triin Yagomyagi, became the first professor of Orthododontics in Estonia. His inaugural lecture “Understanding the functions of the mouth and their role in the development of anomalies of the bite. A new stage of preventive dentistry? » She read April 15.
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