Orthodontic Treatment

What is Orthodontics?

The special field of dentistry that aims to correct misaligned teeth and jaws is called orthodontics. While general dentistry procedures focus on tooth decay and irregularities; orthodontics aims to eliminate problems such as misalignment of the jaw and tooth misalignment, thus helping the person achieve a healthy tooth structure.

The only goal of orthodontics is not to provide straight and beautiful teeth and smiles. Various orthodontic problems that cause tooth decay and tooth loss are also included in the scope of orthodontics. In this way, patients can achieve healthy teeth and gums. Orthodontics is a dentistry specialty that basically helps correct problems related to how the teeth and jaw are aligned, and undertakes the process of diagnosing and treating misaligned teeth and jaws.

How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?

Orthodontic treatment is usually completed in a period of 6 months to 2 years. On the other hand, this period may vary depending on the scope of the treatment to be applied to the individual, the patient’s oral and dental structure, the needs and the patient’s response time to the treatment.

Since orthodontic treatment can generally be applied to patients of all age groups, it can be said that this treatment has no age limit. The reason for this is that the healthy teeth in the patient’s mouth can be moved at any age. In addition, orthodontic treatment can be used to assist in prosthetic applications in adults. Orthodontic treatment may vary for each patient depending on factors such as age, lifestyle habits, the type and degree of the problem planned to be treated.

What Should Be Considered After Orthodontic Treatment?

After starting orthodontic treatment, patients should not eat hard fruits such as nuts, apples and pears by biting them. In addition; sticky drinks such as caramel chocolate, Turkish delight, jelly beans and chewing gum should be avoided. The transparent plates given by the dentist should be used regularly after the treatment and they should be cleaned regularly every day. It is extremely important to protect the mouth area against external impacts. To prevent plaque accumulation around the fixed wires placed on the back surfaces of the teeth, the teeth should be brushed twice a day, including the back surfaces.

What Problems Does Orthodontic Treatment Cover?

Orthodontic treatment is applied to treat malocclusion, incorrect tooth and jaw positions. Biting difficulties in crooked, crooked and protruding teeth can be listed among the diseases that orthodontics deals with. Orthodontic treatment is planned and applied according to the needs of the patient. In this way, an aesthetic smile that will increase self-confidence, long-term health and comfort can be achieved for each patient.

Orthodontic problems can be seen in both children and adults. Even those who received treatment with braces in their youth may experience orthodontic problems. The reason for this is that the teeth are mobile and continue to move very slowly in response to normal biting and chewing forces. In addition, wrong habits such as thumb sucking or teeth pushing seen in young children can also cause the teeth to be pushed out of their proper alignment. Various orthodontic problems usually occur around the age of 7, when permanent teeth begin to appear.

Occlusion is a term that refers to the way teeth come together and align. Under normal conditions, when the upper jaw is closed, the upper teeth should rest on the lower teeth and the upper surfaces of the molars should align. This may not happen for various reasons. Serious health problems can be encountered due to malocclusion of the teeth, and orthodontic treatment comes to the fore at this stage.

How is Orthodontics Treated?

Orthodontic treatment is a special dentistry procedure that can be applied to patients with crowded, separated, crooked teeth or jaw problems. Accordingly, orthodontic treatment can be applied to people who have aesthetic concerns about the appearance of their teeth. After the milk teeth fall out and permanent teeth begin to appear in their place, it is extremely important to have permanent teeth checked regularly and to apply treatments for the detected orthodontic problems. Within the scope of orthodontic treatment; different methods such as metal and transparent wires, intra- and extra-oral appliances, plates and surgical intervention can be used.

Patients who will receive orthodontic treatment are first examined in detail and various tests are applied to the patients. After the examination by the dentist, facial and dental photographs of the patient are taken using cephalometric and panoramic radiographs. Existing problems are diagnosed. After determining which treatments will be applied, the patient is informed about this. The wires and treatment methods to be used within the scope of the treatment are explained. Then, the bracket and plate design stage is started for the patient. The treatment plan is determined by evaluating the intraoral photographs and films.

After the treatment plan is determined, if there are different treatments such as tooth extraction, filling, tartar cleaning and implant treatment that will provide the patient with ideal oral health, these are applied first and the patient’s oral health is optimized. In case of gum disease, a treatment plan should definitely be applied for this.

The bracket selection to be used in orthodontic treatment is made in accordance with the patient’s mouth and teeth structure. When the braces are first placed, it is considered normal for the patient to experience an adaptation period of 3 to 4 days. After this period, the discomfort disappears as the mouth and teeth get used to the braces. If the correct braces are used for the patient and the treatment is followed regularly, it is possible to achieve fast and effective results with orthodontic treatment.

Braces and brackets are selected, a spray called a “retractor” is placed on the edge of the patient’s lips. The procedure begins with the expansion of the mouth. While the braces are placed on the patient, the dentist can easily retract the teeth in both the front and back regions with the retractor. The teeth must be dry when the braces are placed. After the teeth are acidified and dried, two different methods can be preferred for the application of the braces: the traditional method and the bonding method.

Within the scope of traditional orthodontic treatment, the braces are placed one by one with the help of a special adhesive. They are hardened with light and the surrounding area is cleaned. Then, a wire called the “Arch wire” is passed through the braces and if necessary, the braces are fixed with the help of rubber.

In the bonding method, which has been frequently used in recent years, the patient’s mouth measurements are taken and a model of the teeth is prepared. The braces are glued onto this model. Then, they are transferred to the patient’s teeth and hardened with the help of light. One of the most important features of the bonding method is the reduction of the time the patient spends in the dentist’s chair.

Braces treatment is an extremely effective procedure that helps the teeth to be positioned properly. However, another important point is to maintain the permanence of the results provided by the orthodontic treatment. For this, what needs to be done is to apply reinforcement treatment after the active treatment is completed and to prevent the teeth from returning to their previous position.

Fixed or removable appliances can be used within the scope of reinforcement treatment. “Hawley” is an appliance that is applied to the upper jaw and can be attached and removed. “Essix” can be defined as an appliance that can be attached and removed, and is also not easily noticeable when looked at. Fixed reinforcement appliances are generally used to prevent the movement of the teeth after they are attached to the tongue-facing surfaces of the teeth in the lower front region and the wires are removed.