What is Orthodontics?

 

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat dental and facial irregularities.

 

Who is an Orthodontist?

 

Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in this field. They are dentists who have completed a 5-year dental school education followed by 4 to 6 years of orthodontic training. Orthodontists treat abnormal positions of teeth, jaws, and face using braces, appliances, or wires/clear aligners.

 

What is the purpose of Orthodontics?

 

In addition to improving cosmetic appearance, orthodontics has many important benefits. 

• Provides better chewing and clearer pronunciation and speech,
• Reduces the risk of tooth decay caused by food particles getting trapped between teeth,
• Reduces the risk of gum injury and trauma associated with dental misalignment.

 

Crowding in the teeth is not a disease and does not affect physical health. Crowding is a change in the position of the teeth. Problems affecting the shape of the face and the appearance of the teeth can cause embarrassment, lack of self-confidence, and even depression. Severe crowding in the teeth can affect eating, speaking, and keeping the teeth clean. Orthodontic treatment positively affects these conditions.

 

What problems can orthodontics correct?

 

• Crowded teeth – This refers to the irregular placement of teeth that may be too large for the jawbone. There may not be enough space for all the teeth in a narrow jaw. This leads to a poor bite and an unattractive appearance. The teeth most commonly affected by crowding are the upper canines.
• Protrusion of the front teeth - This occurs when the tip of the upper front teeth does not touch the tip of the lower front teeth. It leads to inadequate chewing.
• Deep bite - This indicates that the upper and lower front teeth are not aligned properly, and the lower teeth tend to bite into the upper palate, sometimes causing damage to the gums and palate. This condition can lead to gum damage, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and wear of the teeth.
• Crossbite – This occurs when the cutting edges of the upper and lower teeth do not come together. It leads to an unattractive appearance, inadequate chewing, and easily worn teeth.
• Protrusion of the upper front teeth - This situation, where the upper teeth are tilted outward, can result from thumb sucking or excessive growth of the upper jawbone compared to the lower jaw. Correcting this condition with orthodontic treatment can improve appearance and prevent damage to the teeth during sports injuries or falls.
• Protrusion of the lower front teeth - The lower jaw protrudes outside and forward of the upper jaw. In addition to an unattractive appearance, it can lead to worn teeth.
• Gaps - The unnatural gaps between teeth can be caused by underdeveloped, smaller, or missing teeth. Sometimes, when the jawbone is overly developed and voluminous, gaps may also form between the teeth.
• Impacted teeth – Permanent teeth that should emerge and become prominent in the mouth may not come out due to being trapped in the gums or bone or may only partially emerge.

 

Can orthodontic treatment be applied at any age?

 

Orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age if there are healthy teeth that can be moved and healthy bone surrounding them. During childhood, the growth of bones can be regulated, and the positions of teeth can be aligned. In adolescence and adulthood, dental adjustments are made, and if necessary, surgical interventions are supported by orthodontic treatment.

 

When does orthodontic treatment begin?

 

Early intervention in jawbone-related issues is very important because it allows for faster and more effective resolution of the problem at a young age. Therefore, it is recommended that parents with jawbone problems or dental crowding take their children to an orthodontist starting at the age of 7-8 to prevent their children from experiencing the same issues. Since children in their growth phase have not yet completed their development, starting treatment early is very valuable, as it often leads to easier and quicker results without the need for surgical intervention.

However, the perception that orthodontic treatment is only for young ages is incorrect. Issues such as asymmetrical appearance, occlusion disorders, or dental crowding can be treated with orthodontics at any age. Even a 60-year-old can achieve straight teeth and quick aesthetic results through orthodontic treatment.

 

How is orthodontic treatment performed?

 

Teeth in adults, adolescents, or children are corrected using fixed or removable braces or clear aligners. These treatments can be adjusted and modified according to the degree of crowding while allowing for the growth and development of the jaws.

 

Invisalign Technique (Brace-free Orthodontics)

 

It is now possible to perform orthodontic treatment without using braces at all. The Invisalign technique is a treatment that does not involve braces. In this technique, the patient's teeth are regularly measured, and alignment is achieved with the help of molds.

 

How does the orthodontic treatment process with clear aligners begin?

 

Good oral hygiene is essential before starting any orthodontic treatment. By taking measurements from the mouth or obtaining a digital image of the mouth using intraoral cameras, it is possible to plan the orthodontic treatment with clear aligners on the digital images. In fact, during the patient's first examination, they can see step by step how their teeth will improve throughout the treatment process. Special requests regarding the patient's tooth positions can be adjusted in the digital environment. The obtained images are sent to our technician, and after about two weeks, the aligners that our patients will use throughout their treatment will arrive. Treatment begins with prepared aligners, usually between 8-10 for mild cases or 15-20 for moderate cases.

 

What should be considered while using clear aligners?

 

The most important point here is that the aligners should be worn continuously, except during meals. The treatment continues by switching to the next aligner every 10-12 days. The treatment duration with clear aligners is the same as or shorter than that with braces.

 

What are the advantages of clear aligners over bracketed orthodontic treatments?

 

The most significant advantage of clear aligners is that they can be removed at will, and there are no restrictions on eating and drinking. Aligners do not create aesthetic problems. Another important feature is that we can comfortably recommend them to patients who live far away due to the long appointment intervals we can provide. Video consultations with our patients also allow us to follow the treatment remotely.

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In what other situations can transparent aligners help us?  

 

We want to create a smile aesthetic and design the smile in the anterior region. For example, there are gaps between the front teeth, but when laminate or bonding is done to close these gaps, there will be inconsistencies in the size of the teeth, meaning the gaps between the teeth need to be organized. In this case, we can create harmonious gaps between the teeth with a short-term transparent aligner treatment before aesthetic treatments and then proceed to aesthetic adjustments. 

 

What should be considered during orthodontic treatment with braces?

 

When brackets are placed on the teeth during fixed orthodontic treatment, it is more likely for food particles to get stuck. To prevent tooth decay during treatment, the individual must brush their teeth more carefully and frequently. The orthodontist may also recommend avoiding carbonated drinks, sugary snacks, and other items that may lead to tooth decay. If braces are being used, the patient should avoid hard foods such as nuts, chips, plums, olives, and popcorn. If these come into contact with the bracket, it may cause the bracket to detach from the tooth's surface, requiring it to be reattached. This can lead to the treatment taking longer than expected. 

 

Transparent Wires & Porcelain Brackets

 

One of the major concerns for patients regarding braces treatment is aesthetic appearance. However, the metal brackets and wires previously used in braces treatment have now been replaced by transparent wires and porcelain brackets, which are difficult to see or detect from the outside. This allows for braces treatment to be carried out without aesthetic concerns.

 

Lingual Technique

 

For patients who want the braces treatment to be completely invisible, especially older patients, the Lingual technique can be used. In this technique, the wires and brackets are placed on the inside of the mouth, facing the tongue and palate, making them invisible from the outside. Since the wires do not appear on the front of the teeth, braces treatment can be carried out without the wires being seen, allowing the patient to avoid aesthetic discomfort.

 

Orthodontic Mini Screws

 

These small metal screws, also known as Mini Implants or Micro Screws, are placed from the gum into the jawbone to assist in the movement of misaligned teeth.

 

Will there be pain during orthodontic treatments?

 

Pain may occur during orthodontic treatments. It is advisable to take pain relief medication. The protruding surfaces of the brackets can irritate the inside of the cheeks and lips; in this case, patients can use wax on the brackets to round off the protruding surfaces and prevent irritation. Applying ulcer creams to the irritated tissue allows oral sores to heal quickly.

 

How long do orthodontic treatments take?

 

Appliances applied to the jawbone between the ages of 7-9 may require long-term follow-up. For patients with a narrow or protruding upper jaw, these appliances may be used for about a year.

After the primary teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, if an extraction is done and bracketed treatment is to be applied, orthodontic treatment typically lasts between 1-1.5 years. Treatments applied without tooth extraction take about 1 year. During orthodontic treatment, patients only need to come in for appointments every 5-6 weeks.

 

What is the duration of orthodontic treatment?

 

Depending on the severity of the malocclusions in the teeth and jaw structures, it can range from 6 to 36 months.

 

Will there be pain or sensitivity during orthodontic treatment with braces?

 

Orthodontic Mini Screws

 

These small metal screws, also known as mini implants or micro screws, are inserted into the jawbone from the gums to assist in the movement of misaligned teeth.

 

Will there be pain during orthodontic treatments?

 

Pain may occur during orthodontic treatments. It is recommended to take pain relief medications. The protruding surfaces of brackets may irritate the inner cheeks and lips; in this case, wax placed over the brackets helps to round off the protruding surfaces and prevent irritation. Applying ointments for oral ulcers to the irritated areas can help the oral lesions heal quickly.

 

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

 

For appliances applied to the jawbone between the ages of 7-9, regular follow-up is necessary. For patients with narrow or retracted upper jaws, these appliances may be used for up to a year.

After the baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, if tooth extractions are performed and bracket treatment is to be applied, orthodontic treatment typically lasts about 1 to 1.5 years. If no teeth are extracted, orthodontic treatments usually last around 1 year. During orthodontic treatment, patients are required to come for appointments every 5-6 weeks.

 

What is the duration of orthodontic treatment?

 

The duration may vary between 6 to 36 months depending on the severity of dental and jaw structure issues.

 

Will there be pain or sensitivity during orthodontic treatment with braces?

 

Pain or sensitivity may occur during the initial days after the braces are placed. However, these complaints usually diminish within a maximum of 10 days.