In Latin, “ortho” means straight, and “donti” means tooth ; so orthodontics means “straight teeth”. Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with monitoring and guiding the jaw and facial structures of growing or adult individuals, moving teeth and correcting disorders of related structures. It tries to regulate the relationships of teeth and facial bones by applying force .

Areas of Responsibility of Orthodontics :

• Diagnosis, prevention, arrest and treatment of malocclusion.
• Design, implementation and control of functional and corrective appliances.
• Guidance to ensure aesthetic and physiological harmony between teeth and supporting tissues.

Causes of Orthodontic Disorders

• Genetic Factors : Problems such as skeletal disorders, missing teeth, maxillary narrowness and crowding may be genetic .
• Ear, Nose, Throat Problems : Conditions such as nasal deviation, adenoid, and mouth breathing may negatively affect jaw development .
• Bad Habits : Habits such as thumb sucking, using a pacifier for a long time, and tongue sucking adversely affect jaw development .
• Early Tooth Loss : Early loss of milk teeth may cause permanent teeth to lose their place and cause crookedness problems .

Common Orthodontic Disorders

• Front Open Bite : There is a gap between the front teeth .
• Crossbite : The upper and lower teeth are in opposite positions to their normal positions .
• Crowding : Not enough room for the teeth to line up properly .
• Diastema : Spaces between teeth .
• Ectopia: The emergence of teeth in places other than their normal positions .
• Impacted Tooth : Teeth that fail to emerge and remain within the jaw bone .
• Lip Insufficiency : Lips not covering the teeth adequately .
• Deep Bite : Upper incisors cover lower incisors more than normal .
• Advanced Protrusion : The distance between the upper and lower incisors is greater than normal
• Rotation: The tooth being in a turned position in its socket .
• Transposition : Changing places of two teeth .

Importance of Orthodontic Treatment

Many people see an orthodontist to improve their appearance and smile. Orthodontic treatment provides aesthetic benefits and increases self – confidence. However, most orthodontic problems also affect oral and dental health. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean and are more prone to cavities and periodontal disease. Malocclusion can cause tooth wear and can lead to jaw joint discomfort, headaches and facial pain . Open bite or gaps in the teeth may cause speech disorders.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

• Preventive Orthodontic Treatments
• Stop Orthodontic Treatments
• Corrective Orthodontic Treatments
• Well Stirring Treatment

Ideal Orthodontic Treatment Age

The ideal age for treatment for dental disorders is around 10-12 years of age, when the change of milk teeth is almost complete. Early treatment is of great importance in problems involving the jaw and in breaking bad habits. An orthodontist examination is necessary around the age of 6-7.

Orthodontic Treatment in Adults

Adults can also receive orthodontic treatment. It is possible to move teeth at any age with healthy gums. However, anomalies diagnosed early have more treatment options.

Orthodontic Treatment Duration

Treatment usually lasts 1.5-2 years. This period varies depending on the type of treatment, the age of the patient and their compliance .

Orthodontic Appliances

Various removable and fixed appliances are used depending on the type of problem and the growth of the individual. Fixed treatments are applied in cases where the teeth are crooked.

Fixed Treatment Options

Fixed orthodontic treatments are applied in cases where there is various levels of misalignment in the teeth. Highly elastic wires are placed on the brackets that are glued onto the teeth, and thanks to these wires, the teeth move towards the ideal position. In addition, springs and rubbers are used.

Aesthetic Braces

Tooth- colored porcelain brackets are used instead of metal brackets due to aesthetic concerns. These brackets increase interest in orthodontic treatment and are an acceptable option for a group of patients. However, their costs are slightly higher.

Things to Consider During Fixed Treatment

• Temporary wounds may occur on the cheeks and lips during the first week when the brackets are worn.
• Hard foods should be avoided.
• Sticky foods such as chewing gum and jelly beans should not be consumed.
• Acidic drinks should be avoided.
• Foods such as sandwiches should not be eaten by biting.

Treatments Using Removable Appliances

This treatment option is applied before the permanent dentition. The aim is to ensure that the teeth emerge in the correct places in the jaw arches and to regulate the relationship between the jaws.

Functional Appliances

These are appliances that help direct the correct development of the jaws during the growth and development period.

Extraoral Appliances

Jaw development can be increased or decreased as needed by getting support from extraoral regions with appliances such as chin guards and headgear.

How Do Teeth Move During Orthodontic Treatment ?

Orthodontic treatment is a biological process. When a light pressure is applied to the tooth with fixed or removable appliances, the bone surrounding the root of the tooth melts and a new bone socket is formed for the tooth. This process is called “remodeling” .

Situations Where Orthodontic Treatment Cannot Be Applied

Orthodontic treatment is not appropriate for blood diseases such as leukemia or hemophilia. Orthodontic treatment is limited for mentally disabled people.

Extraction in Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatments can be performed with or without extraction. The orthodontist decides which method to choose. An important factor in this decision is facial aesthetics.

Okay, don’t bother

Removable or fixed retainers are used to prevent teeth from returning to their former positions after orthodontic treatment.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is a surgery performed to correct deformities in the jaw structure and to restore normal function to the teeth. It is possible to move the jaws forward, backward or shift them.

Oral and Dental Care During Orthodontic Treatment

• Teeth should be brushed after every meal.
• The spaces between the teeth should be cleaned at least once a day.
• Fluoride mouthwash should be used before going to bed at night.
• Using an oral irrigator may be beneficial.
• You should visit the dentist for regular check – ups.
• Hard and sticky foods should be avoided.
• These precautions help prevent the formation of decay, reduce the damage that may occur to the apparatus and brackets, and increase the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.

What are the Discomforts and Risks of Working ?

• It is quite common to feel pain in your teeth when you start orthodontic treatment. This pain usually decreases within 3-4 days. The adaptation period to the appliances takes about a week.
• During treatment, your teeth may shake slightly ; this is a normal condition caused by teeth moving.
• Permanent stains and cavities may occur on the teeth of patients who do not pay attention to oral hygiene. These patients may also experience gum disease.
• In rare cases, tooth roots may dissolve during treatment.
• Orthodontic treatment may cause discomfort in the jaw joint.
• Growth occurring during or after treatment may positively affect the outcome of the treatment, but may also cause undesirable results and prolong the duration of treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment (Treatment with Clear Plates, Clear Braces)

Clear aligner and orthoclear technologies developed in recent years allow crooked teeth to be corrected without braces .

A series of transparent trays designed and prepared in a computer environment can be changed every 1-2 weeks, and the crooked teeth can be eliminated and the teeth can be brought to the desired position without the use of brackets. Since these trays are transparent, they are not very visible, can be removed while eating and are easy to use ; they do not sting or hurt. Your orthodontist will determine whether this system is suitable for you .

Lingual Orthodontics (Internal Braces Treatment)

Lingual orthodontics is a treatment method in which the brackets are attached to the back surfaces of the teeth, that is, the tongue side, instead of the front surfaces. Therefore, they are not noticeable from the outside and are aesthetic. However, in this technique, the brackets cannot be attached directly because the tongue side surfaces of the teeth are not fully visible and show a more variable surface compared to the front surface. For this reason, the brackets are positioned in the laboratory based on the measurement taken from the patient and are transferred to the patient with the help of a carrier tray and attached to the teeth.

recent years, by scanning the back surfaces of the teeth with laser scanning methods, side brackets that are completely suitable for the surface of the teeth, personalized and allow for the desired correct movement can be produced.

Lingual orthodontics requires much more precision and attention than classical orthodontic treatment. Although this method has some limitations, it has advantages as well as disadvantages.