As a specialist practice for orthodontics and paediatric dentistry in Zurich, we provide comprehensive care for children, adolescents and adults. Our treatments are based on precise diagnostics, evidence-based treatment concepts and state-of-the-art technology.
We take the time to offer personal guidance and develop individual solutions together with our patients. From early preventive care and paediatric dentistry to complex orthodontic treatment, our focus is always on long-term health, optimal function and natural aesthetics.
Specialist-led orthodontic care for growing smiles — aligning teeth, guiding jaw development, and monitoring bite changes with a treatment plan that adapts as your child grows.
Gentle, preventive children’s dentistry focused on comfort and long-term oral health — combining regular check-ups, pain-free treatment, and practical guidance for healthy habits at home.
Discreet, precision orthodontics for adults — improving alignment and bite function with modern options that fit your lifestyle, aesthetic goals, and long-term dental health.
Professional hygiene and prevention to protect teeth and gums — reducing inflammation, lowering cavity risk, and keeping your smile healthy between visits with targeted care and guidance.
Safe, professional whitening tailored to your smile — brightening teeth with controlled, enamel-friendly techniques in the clinic or with guided at-home options.
I love guiding people through their visit with calm, kindness, and a smile.
The Swiss Society of Orthodontics recommends a first orthodontic check-up from around the age of 7 to 8 years. By this age, the first permanent teeth have erupted and tooth and jaw development can be reliably assessed. Many misalignments can be corrected preventively during this active growth phase, without later surgery.
Early treatment can correct crossbites, severe crowding, sucking habits or skeletal asymmetries while jaw growth is still active. In many cases this avoids more extensive treatments or combined surgical procedures later on. The goal is not an early “full” brace but a targeted use of the right growth phase.
In the growth phase between approximately 10 and 14 years, bite relationships and skeletal discrepancies can be influenced especially effectively, as the jaw is still actively growing. Fixed appliances integrate optimally with natural growth, which reduces treatment time and effort. With the right indication, this produces a stable, long-term correction.
All modern appliances are available to teenagers: fixed metal or ceramic brackets, transparent aligners and, in suitable cases, lingual systems. For younger children with mixed dentition, removable braces or functional orthodontic devices are often used to create space and guide jaw growth. Which method is appropriate is determined after digital diagnostics, jointly with parents and child.
Removable braces are mainly used in children with mixed dentition to create space, guide jaw growth or address habits such as thumb sucking. They are typically worn at night and for several hours during the day, and often serve as preparation for a later fixed appliance. Treatment success depends directly on consistent wear time.
Treatment duration depends on the severity of the misalignment and the chosen appliance and typically ranges between 18 and 30 months. A preceding early treatment phase in children usually takes 12 to 18 months, followed by a monitoring period before the main treatment. A precise estimate is provided after digital treatment planning with a 3D scan.
Yes – sporting activity and playing a wind instrument are generally compatible with any type of brace. For contact sports we recommend a custom-fitted mouthguard worn over the brace. When playing wind instruments, there may be a brief adjustment phase, but lasting limitations are rare.
A particularly thorough oral hygiene routine is essential with a fixed brace, as plaque accumulates easily between brackets and wires. We recommend an electric toothbrush or a specialised orthodontic manual toothbrush, interdental brushes for the gaps and a fluoride toothpaste. At VUNDER ORTHODONTICS your child receives personalised brushing technique coaching at the start of treatment.
Mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) does not cover orthodontic treatment for children as a rule. Some supplementary dental insurance policies (Zahnzusatzversicherung) contribute depending on the contract and severity, and in cases of serious congenital conditions the Swiss Disability Insurance (IV) may cover treatment. We help you assess your individual insurance coverage and prepare the necessary reports.
After removal comes the retention phase: a retainer – either a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth or a splint worn at night – permanently stabilises the result. Without a retainer, the teeth can shift slightly over the years. In addition, a professional dental hygiene session takes place so that the outcome remains stable in the long term.
A digital 3D scan captures the teeth and jaws with an intraoral scanner camera, replacing the classic plaster impression. The scan is fast, comfortable, precise and allows the entire treatment to be planned digitally on screen. On this basis we can show you and your child the anticipated final result using Smile Design software, even before treatment begins.
With fixed appliances, check-up appointments are typically scheduled every 4 to 8 weeks; with aligner treatment, every 8 to 12 weeks. The specific rhythm depends on the treatment phase and your child’s individual response to therapy. Appointments are planned well in advance to fit around school and family calendars.
Children’s dental care at VUNDER ORTHODONTICS covers preventive and restorative dentistry for children with primary (milk) and mixed dentition – with a focus on prevention, child-friendly oral hygiene coaching and early detection of cavities or developing misalignments. Care is provided by a specialist paediatric dentist at the Stadelhofen practice. This means children receive continuous care from their first check-up through prevention and on to any later orthodontic treatment.
The first dental visit is recommended as soon as the first milk teeth have erupted — at the latest by the second birthday. An early first visit primarily serves as a familiarisation appointment and provides parents with advice on nutrition, brushing technique and fluoride. A relaxed first encounter with the practice builds the foundation for a lifelong, anxiety-free relationship with dentistry.
Children’s dental care at the practice is led by a specialist paediatric dentist who works closely with Marju Vunder, Swiss Specialist Dentist for Orthodontics (Fachzahnärztin für Kieferorthopädie CH). This ensures paediatric dental and orthodontic considerations are assessed together and coordinated seamlessly. The team is experienced in working with young patients and creates a child-friendly atmosphere.
A paediatric dentist is specialised in the anatomical, psychological and developmental specifics of children – from milk teeth through mixed dentition to age-appropriate prevention. While a general dentist can in principle also treat children, a specialist paediatric dentist offers trained handling of anxious or restless children and more comprehensive preventive support. At VUNDER ORTHODONTICS, children also benefit from the direct connection to the orthodontic specialist team.
Anxious children are supported with age-appropriate communication, a gentle introduction to the treatment steps and sufficient time during the first appointment. We explain each step in child-friendly language in advance and actively involve the parents. For very anxious children, familiarisation visits without active treatment are possible so that trust can develop before any procedure takes place.
Effective cavity prevention in children rests on four pillars: thorough daily brushing with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, regular check-ups, a low-sugar diet and – where indicated – fissure sealing of the permanent molars. At the practice, we coach parents and children on correct brushing technique and provide a professional cleaning and fluoride application at every check-up. Early routines have a demonstrable lifelong positive impact on dental health.
The first milk teeth typically begin to fall out from age 6 and are replaced by permanent teeth up to around age 12. Things to watch for early include cavities in milk teeth, missing tooth buds for permanent teeth, marked crowding during eruption and persistent sucking or biting habits. If anything looks unusual, a timely check-up is worthwhile – many issues in the mixed dentition can be resolved preventively and simply.
We recommend check-ups every 6 months, and every 3 to 4 months for children at elevated cavity risk. At each appointment we examine teeth and gums, perform a professional cleaning and, where indicated, apply fluoride. Regular visits allow small problems to be detected early and treated in a child-friendly, low-stress manner.
In the event of a dental injury with a damaged or knocked-out tooth, fast action is critical. A knocked-out permanent tooth should be brought to the practice immediately in a tooth-rescue box (or, as a last resort, in long-life UHT milk or saline solution) – ideally within 30 minutes. Please contact us immediately on +41 (0)44 562 18 11 or WhatsApp +41 (0)76 346 18 11 so we can fit you in right away.
By bringing paediatric dental care together with the orthodontic specialist practice, your child receives both areas of care in one location with coordinated diagnostics. Misalignments, space issues and skeletal irregularities are already detected during routine dental check-ups and can transition seamlessly into orthodontic early treatment. Parents benefit from short distances, coordinated appointments and consistent, long-term care.
Yes – orthodontic treatment is possible at any age, provided that the teeth, gums and supporting bone are healthy. Adult patients often benefit from better treatment compliance and clearer treatment goals than younger patients. Around one third of treatments at VUNDER ORTHODONTICS take place in adulthood.
All modern appliances are available to adults: lingual braces (invisible, on the inside of the teeth), transparent aligners and conventional fixed brackets, depending on the diagnosis and aesthetic preferences. For severe skeletal misalignments, a combined orthodontic-surgical approach may also be considered. Which method is right for you is determined after complete diagnostics with a 3D scan and Smile Design planning.
Lingual braces are fixed appliances whose brackets are bonded to the inside (tongue-facing surface) of the teeth. As a result, they remain entirely invisible from the outside while delivering the same precise, fixed tooth movement as a conventional brace. They are considered the most aesthetically advanced option in modern orthodontics and are particularly popular with professionally exposed adults.
VUNDER ORTHODONTICS works with the WIN appliance, one of the world’s leading lingual systems. The brackets are ultra-flat and individually manufactured for each tooth from a gold alloy, ensuring a precise fit against the tooth surface. Marju Vunder, Swiss Specialist Dentist for Orthodontics (Fachzahnärztin für Kieferorthopädie CH), is a WIN-certified specialist and has worked exclusively with this system for many years.
No – because the brackets are positioned on the inside of the teeth, they are not visible while speaking or smiling. They also remain undetected in photographs and video calls – a key advantage for working professionals, anyone on camera and patients with high aesthetic expectations. This makes lingual treatment the only fixed orthodontic option that remains entirely invisible.
There may be a brief adjustment period of one to two weeks during which speech can be slightly altered (a mild lisp), as the tongue learns to accommodate the new surface. Thanks to the ultra-flat design of the WIN brackets, this phase is significantly shorter than with older lingual systems. Most patients return to fully normal speech after a short adaptation period.
No – the level of discomfort is comparable to a conventional fixed brace on the outside of the teeth. After fitting and after activation appointments, a mild pressure sensation may occur and typically resolves within a few days. The tongue adapts quickly to the brackets, thanks to their flat, individually contoured shape.
Treatment duration is comparable to a conventional fixed brace and typically ranges between 12 and 36 months depending on complexity. Purely aesthetic corrections of minor misalignments may be completed sooner, while complex skeletal cases require correspondingly longer. A precise estimate is provided after digital treatment planning based on the 3D scan.
Yes – clinical studies show that the risk of decalcification (so-called “white spots”) is around ten times lower with lingual appliances than with brackets bonded to the outside surface. This is because the inside of the teeth is naturally cleaned more effectively by saliva and tongue movement, and the visible front surface stays free of bracket edges. Consistent oral and dental hygiene throughout treatment remains essential.
Aligners are transparent, removable plastic trays manufactured in a series of typically 20 to 60 trays that move the teeth into the planned position in small incremental steps. Each tray is worn for around two weeks, between 20 and 22 hours per day, and is then replaced by the next one. The full series is produced in advance based on a digital 3D scan and a Smile Design treatment plan.
A typical aligner treatment takes between 6 and 18 months depending on the severity of the misalignment. Mild aesthetic front-tooth corrections can sometimes be completed in under six months, while more complex cases take correspondingly longer. Staying on schedule depends on consistent daily wear of at least 20 hours.
Aligners are removable, transparent and require discipline regarding wear time, while lingual braces are fixed, entirely invisible and independent of patient compliance. For complex tooth movements and rotations, lingual appliances can often be more precise; for mild aesthetic corrections combined with maximum lifestyle flexibility, aligners are more attractive. Which method is right for you is decided together after diagnostics.
For severe skeletal misalignments that cannot be corrected with braces alone, we combine orthodontic treatment with a maxillofacial surgical procedure (orthognathic surgery / Dysgnathie-Chirurgie). The brace precisely prepares the teeth for the subsequent operation and stabilises the result afterwards. For this we work closely with selected maxillofacial surgeons in Zurich.
Costs depend on the severity of the misalignment, the chosen appliance and the treatment duration, and are set out in a written individual cost estimate after complete diagnostics. In Switzerland, mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) generally does not cover orthodontic treatment for adults – adults usually pay privately unless they hold supplementary dental insurance. We offer flexible payment arrangements so that worthwhile treatment does not fail for financial reasons.
Yes – ongoing orthodontic treatment can be continued during pregnancy, as the appliance itself poses no risk. Because hormonal changes can make gums more sensitive, regular dental hygiene appointments and especially careful oral care are important during this time. X-rays are reduced to an absolute minimum during pregnancy or postponed.
A second orthodontic opinion is worthwhile when you have received a recommendation for an extensive or multi-year treatment and want to confirm your decision. An independent expert review provides clarity about alternative treatment methods, treatment duration and the cost framework. Particularly with long treatment courses, trust in the treating specialist is a central success factor.
A professional dental hygiene session includes the removal of stubborn deposits and tartar, cleaning of the interdental spaces, polishing of the tooth surfaces and personalised brushing instruction. Where indicated, the Airflow method is used to gently remove staining and plaque even in hard-to-reach areas. The appointment ends with a fluoride application, which strengthens the enamel and helps prevent cavities.
We recommend two to three dental hygiene sessions per year, depending on your individual risk for cavities, gum inflammation and tartar build-up. During orthodontic treatment with a fixed brace, we recommend more frequent appointments – typically every 3 to 4 months – to reliably prevent decalcification and cavities. We agree the right rhythm with you individually.
Airflow cleaning is a professional method in which a fine jet of water, air and a mild cleaning powder gently removes stains and plaque-containing deposits. The technique reaches even difficult areas between brackets, around implants and along the gum line. It is particularly valuable for patients with fixed appliances, since it cleans the very spots that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
A particularly thorough oral hygiene routine is essential with a fixed brace, as plaque accumulates easily between brackets and wires. We recommend an electric toothbrush or a specialised orthodontic manual toothbrush, interdental brushes for the gaps and a fluoride toothpaste. At VUNDER ORTHODONTICS you receive detailed personal brushing instruction at the start of treatment.
Decalcifications, also known as “white spots”, are whitish, matt patches on the tooth enamel that can develop from plaque accumulation around the edges of brackets. They are the most common unwanted consequence of inadequate hygiene during fixed brace treatment. They are prevented through consistent daily brushing, regular dental hygiene appointments and – for high-risk patients – additional fluoride applications.
Effective prevention rests on thorough daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily cleaning of the interdental spaces with floss or interdental brushes, a low-sugar diet and regular professional dental hygiene sessions. Risk factors such as smoking, frequent snacking and dry mouth additionally elevate the risk. At every hygiene session we assess your individual risk profile and adapt our recommendations accordingly.
Mandatory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) does not cover dental hygiene appointments as a rule. Some supplementary dental insurance policies (Zahnzusatzversicherung) contribute to preventive measures depending on the contract. During orthodontic treatment, dental hygiene sessions are often an integral part of the treatment concept; their cost is transparently itemised in the cost estimate.
During brace treatment the risk of cavities, decalcifications and gum inflammation rises significantly, as brackets and wires make plaque removal harder. Consistent prevention – daily hygiene, regular dental hygiene sessions and fluoride where indicated – is therefore at least as important as the orthodontic treatment itself. With lingual appliances the decalcification risk is demonstrably around ten times lower, but consistent hygiene remains essential.
Professional tooth bleaching is a carefully controlled whitening of the tooth surfaces using clinically active agents based on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The treatment is performed under dental supervision and produces clearly visible, even results that cannot be achieved with over-the-counter products. Before each bleaching session, the condition of the teeth is clinically assessed to ensure optimal results and protection of the enamel.
Practice bleaching uses significantly higher active-agent concentrations than over-the-counter products and is performed under dental supervision, which makes both efficacy and safety substantially better. The gums are protected before treatment with a barrier, and the procedure is monitored throughout. Over-the-counter whitening strips and toothpastes typically achieve only limited or superficial whitening effects.
Bleaching is usually performed after completion of orthodontic treatment and a professional dental hygiene session, so that the entire enamel surface lightens evenly. During active fixed brace treatment, bleaching is not recommended because the brackets would prevent uniform whitening. Bleaching is also possible at any time independently of orthodontic treatment, provided your teeth are clinically healthy.
When performed correctly in a professional dental setting, bleaching is not harmful to the enamel. The active agents target colour pigments inside the tooth without structurally altering the tooth substance. Temporary sensitivity to hot or cold after the procedure is possible but typically resolves on its own within a few days.
Bleaching results typically last between 1 and 3 years, depending on lifestyle. Factors such as coffee, tea and red wine consumption, smoking and individual oral hygiene significantly influence longevity. Regular dental hygiene appointments and, where appropriate, gentle touch-up treatments help preserve the result long term.
During fixed brace treatment, bleaching is not recommended because the brackets prevent uniform whitening of the tooth surface. After the braces are removed, the areas previously under the brackets are usually slightly lighter than the surrounding surface and even out shortly after – only then does bleaching make sense. With aligner treatment, bleaching is in principle possible but should always be coordinated with the treating specialist.
The cost of a bleaching treatment depends on the method and the scope of the treatment (one or both jaws, in-office vs. home bleaching with custom trays). You receive a transparent cost estimate before treatment begins. Bleaching is considered a cosmetic treatment and is not covered by health insurance.
Find everything you need to prepare for your visit—downloadable forms, aftercare instructions, and practical guidance for treatment, hygiene, and appointments, all in one place.