ORTHODONTICS
WHAT IS ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats crooked teeth and misaligned jaw relationships. Dentists who specialize in orthodontics are called orthodontists.
WHAT CAUSES ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS AND HOW ARE THEY TREATED?
Jaw disorders (such as a protruding or receding lower jaw) are usually hereditary. In this case, the treatment method is determined according to the patient's age. Jaw misalignments can also occur due to functional disorders (such as mouth breathing). In a patient who breathes through their mouth, the upper jaw is usually narrow, resulting in a V-shape. Harmful habits can also cause jaw disorders. Harmful habits can be listed as follows: prolonged use of pacifiers or bottles, thumb sucking, nail biting, etc. Harmful habits should be treated as early as possible (between the ages of 7-10). In this way, a severe skeletal disorder that would negatively affect the individual's entire facial development can be prevented with the use of a simple appliance. If harmful habits are not treated in childhood, they lead to permanent skeletal disorders and are treated with orthodontic-surgical cooperation (orthognathic surgery). The causes of dental disorders are very diverse. Sometimes an individual inherits the size of their jawbone from one parent and the size of their teeth from the other. If the jaw is large and the teeth are small, the teeth will be spaced apart. An abnormally large tongue and the presence of extracted teeth in the mouth can also cause teeth to spread apart. In some cases, an individual may be congenitally missing some incisor teeth. In this case, large gaps are noticeable in the front area. In such situations, these extraction gaps can be corrected with orthodontic treatment, creating spaces for implants. If the jawbone is small and the teeth are large, the teeth cannot fit in the jaw, and crowding occurs. Another cause of crowded teeth is early or late loss of baby teeth. Each baby tooth has a specific time to fall out. For example, if a baby tooth that should fall out at age 10 falls out at age 8, the permanent teeth in the mouth shift towards this gap, and the permanent tooth that should erupt there cannot find a place. In this case, this tooth erupts outside or inside the dental arch, or in some cases, remains impacted.
CAN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT BE DONE AT ANY AGE?
There is absolutely no age limit for orthodontic treatment. However, treatment planning and duration may vary depending on age. In recent years, adult orthodontics has become widespread throughout the world. It is possible to reduce aesthetic concerns, especially by using porcelain brackets. Sometimes, orthodontic treatment is also performed to prepare teeth for better prostheses, making them more suitable for implants. These types of treatments are short, and orthodontic treatment is completed within 4-12 months.
IS ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT A PAINFUL PROCEDURE?
The initial application session and subsequent sessions are completely painless and simple. However, sores may develop on the cheeks when the braces are first fitted. These sores usually heal on their own within a week and generally do not recur. In rare cases (bracket breakage, wire breakage, etc.), sores may reappear. Such problems can be resolved with minor intervention by the dentist. Patients are also given 'patient wax' during the first session, and they can place this wax on the affected area to prevent excessive irritation that may occur until they see the dentist again. Additionally, after the braces are first fitted and during subsequent sessions, sensitivity may occur in the teeth when clenching or eating hard foods. However, this sensitivity usually subsides on its own within 3-4 days.
DO BRACES CAUSE TEETH TO DECAY?
Braces absolutely do not cause tooth decay. On the contrary, the areas where the brackets are attached are protected from decay because bacteria cannot get underneath them. However, the area around the brackets harbors more bacteria, so the risk of decay is higher than in a mouth without braces. This risk disappears when oral hygiene is good and the areas around the brackets are cleaned thoroughly.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BRUSH TEETH WHILE WEARING BRACES?
After braces are fitted, teeth can be brushed as easily as before. There is no risk of breakage or detachment during brushing. However, because a more thorough cleaning is needed, brushing should be done more carefully and meticulously. Specially designed orthodontic brushes and interdental brushes can be used for this purpose.
WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AFTER THE WIRES ARE INSTALLED?
Avoid hard foods that could cause the wires to break. Hard foods like apples and pears should be cut, not bitten off. Foods with pits, especially plums and olives, should not be eaten whole; the pit should be removed before consumption. Avoid acidic drinks. Sticky things like chewing gum and Turkish delight should be avoided.
DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT TAKE A LONG TIME?
The duration of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the patient's age, the severity of the problem, and the treatment technique used. However, patient compliance is the most important factor in the treatment duration. If the patient attends appointments regularly, maintains good oral hygiene, doesn't frequently break their brackets and wires, and uses the prescribed appliances, elastics, etc., correctly, the treatment can be completed in a minimum amount of time. If the planning is done well and the patient is compliant, the treatment duration should not exceed 2.5 years, even in the most severe cases. The average treatment duration is 1.5 years. On the other hand, there are also treatments that are completed within 1 year.
CAN TEETH CORRECTED BY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT BECOME MORE DISTORTED?
Our teeth are mobile throughout life. Especially due to the effects of chewing forces, crowding can occur in older people, even those who have never received orthodontic treatment. After orthodontic treatment, it takes a long time for the teeth to adjust to their new positions and for good bone support to develop around them. Therefore, a retention process is necessary after the braces are removed to eliminate the risk of misalignment. For this purpose, thin wires can be bonded to the backs of the teeth, or the patient can be given removable clear aligners .