Orthodontic treatments

Orthodontic Treatments 

Orthodontic treatment is the treatment methods applied to correct the teeth and provide movement order to improve the appearance and working of the teeth. Orthodontics is the field of specialization. Often the appearance and alignment of crooked, protruding or crooked teeth is improved. In addition, the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints is maintained by spreading the bite pressure to all teeth.

The success of orthodontic treatment is directly proportional to good oral hygiene. In the absence of good oral hygiene, orthodontic treatment can increase tooth decay.

Why is orthodontic treatment necessary? 

With orthodontic treatment:

• Tooth crowding is corrected. Both the teeth look beautiful and the smile is improved.
• The merging of the teeth with each other is improved. Teeth cleaning is facilitated, plaque formation, infections and decay are prevented.
• The protruding and ugly appearance of the teeth is removed. Damage, breakage or even loss of the tooth in cases of biting etc. is prevented.
• The anterior and posterior teeth are evenly combined, the bite is corrected.
• Damage to the jaw joint due to improperly joined teeth is prevented.
• Irregular teeth are less likely to damage other teeth and gums.

At what age is orthodontic treatment applied?

Orthodontic treatment can be applied at almost any age. However, the best time to apply is in childhood. In this period, newly emerging teeth can be corrected more easily and the success of treatment is higher than at other ages. In the adult period, the indication for orthodontic treatment decreases. It is mostly used in advanced problems or traumatic situations that must be intervened. The treatment period is longer than the childhood applications and the success is lower.

 How is orthodontic treatment decided? 

The orthodontic specialist decides on the necessity of orthodontic treatment and which treatment will be applied.



Examination findings and x-ray findings are usually sufficient to determine whether orthodontic treatment is required. If necessary, plaster modeling studies can be done.

The orthodontist makes a treatment plan according to the diagnosis. Orthodontic treatment is partly a long-term treatment. The patient’s compliance with the treatment and oral hygiene habits are the basis for determining the treatment. Some preparatory procedures such as filling, root canal treatment, tooth extraction may be needed before the treatment. For this, the orthodontist makes a plan together with the patient.

If your teeth are close together, if you have too many teeth, if your teeth are overlapping or if there is not enough space to straighten, some teeth may need to be extracted as part of the treatment.

What are the methods used in orthodontic treatment? 

Orthodontic treatment is basically the correction of crooked, crooked or irregular teeth with the help of braces. However, the treatment method may vary depending on your dental problem. In some dental problems, temporary small needles can be placed in the jaw, it may be necessary to wear a corset.

How long does orthodontic treatment take? 

Depending on the treatment planning, the age of the patient and the problem, orthodontic treatment usually takes 18-24 months. Sometimes, at the end of the treatment, a thin wire can be permanently attached to the back of the tooth. Sometimes, the need to use a night plate for 12 months after treatment may arise.

What are the instruments used in orthodontic treatment? 

Different appliances are used to straighten teeth in orthodontic treatment. These:

• Fixed braces: These are braces that remain fixed for a while, consisting of brackets that are mostly attached to the front and sometimes back of the teeth with tapes and connected with wires. A flexible wire connects all the brackets and allows the teeth to move. You cannot remove the device yourself, so it is called a fixed device. It is the most common type of orthodontic appliance. They are mostly made of metal, sometimes plastic or ceramic. You can eat a normal variety of food a few days after insertion. However, you should stay away from sugary foods, hard foods and carbonated drinks as they damage the device and can damage your teeth. A chin guard should be used in sports where there is a risk of impact to the chin.
• Removable braces: These are plastic plates that are mostly placed on the upper palate and attached to some teeth. They can be removed for cleaning. These are used in treatments where limited tooth movement is desired. It has sensitive wires and springs that move the teeth with light pressure. It can be used to correct minor problems or as part of fixed wire therapy. It is sometimes used as a solution to the problem of thumb sucking in children.
• Functional appliances: It is a pair of plastic braces that are attached to both upper and lower teeth and provide joint movement. Sometimes it is possible using a functional brace. This device works by using the power of the jaw muscles and can help with certain types of problems. It changes the way the chin grows. There are plastic, metal and ceramic forms. You may need to remove it while cleaning teeth and eating.
• Invisible braces: These are hard, clear plastic molds used to straighten teeth. It is specially designed for each patient, in sets that are changed every two weeks.
• Title: It is an appliance used especially at night with other orthodontic appliances. It is used to correct the position of the posterior teeth while treating the anterior teeth. Do not eat or drink while wearing a headgear.
• Other appliances: Lingual braces attached to the back of the tooth can be used in orthodontic treatment in aligners.
• Placeholders: Used after orthodontic treatment to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment. It is fixed or removable. If it is not used properly after the treatment, the teeth that have been corrected with other tools may move.

For best results, removable or functional appliances should be worn 22 – 23 hours a day. They can be removed to eat, drink, brush and clean between your teeth. Sometimes delicate elastic bands can be attached to a fixed appliance to help move the teeth. More serious jaw surgery may be required.

Will orthodontic treatments hurt me? 

When all orthodontic appliances are inserted or intermediate adjustments are made, it may cause discomfort in the teeth and jaw. It will take time to get used to at first. Wires won’t hurt you. However, if braces are not properly cared for and care is not taken for cleaning, food residues will remain between the braces and teeth, causing plaque and tartar.



Do orthodontic treatments offer a definitive solution?

Orthodontic treatments are not one hundred percent effective treatment methods. Minor tooth movements may occur even after the appliance is removed. However, it is not expected to change enough to return to pre-treatment.

Braces care 

An important process of orthodontic treatment is braces care. To prevent tooth decay and loss of teeth, care should be taken to care for braces, and cleaning should be done so that there is no food residue in between.