Orthodontics

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of science concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of irregularities in the jaw and facial region. "Orthodontic treatments" are applied to prevent a possible anomaly at an early stage, and to correct anomalies that have already developed at a later stage. Orthodontic treatment started at an early age helps jaw development in children, helping teeth settle into the correct positions. In adults, it corrects existing bite problems and crowding.

Orthodontics according to stages of tooth development;

1- Primary (baby) tooth period: In the pre-school years, these are applications aimed at reducing, as much as possible, problems arising from habits such as thumb-sucking, lip-biting, and putting foreign objects in the mouth. If these habits are eliminated during the primary tooth period, healing is achieved without a permanent skeletal irregularity developing. Certain intraoral or extraoral appliances are used for this.

2- Mixed dentition period: This covers children of primary-school age, the period in which both permanent and baby teeth are present in the mouth. In this period, the premature or delayed loss of baby teeth, and their failure to guide the permanent teeth coming in underneath, causes a number of problems. Correcting the resulting crowding falls within the field of orthodontics. Correcting jaw discrepancies that begin in this period and continue until the end of adolescence is also a subject of orthodontics.

3- Permanent tooth period: Irregularities in tooth alignment can be corrected with fixed or removable appliances, with or without tooth extraction.

When should you see an orthodontist?

From the age of two, when baby teeth have appeared in the mouth and taken on a chewing function, children should be taken to the dentist for check-ups. The dentist evaluates the child's jaw-facial development and the health as well as correct positioning of the teeth from multiple angles. Foreseeing possible problems and taking precautions in advance is essential to "preventive dentistry." Skeletal problems in children need to be addressed at an early age. Gaps between baby teeth are a sign of natural development. Tight contacts like those between adult teeth can be a sign of future space shortage, and hence crowding. Permanent teeth start to erupt around ages 6-7, but few problems are usually observed between ages 8-12, until the baby molars fall out. However, all baby teeth must be preserved until they are replaced by their permanent counterparts. This is why cavities in baby teeth must be treated early. If a baby tooth needs to be extracted, making a space maintainer to hold the place of the extracted tooth prevents the need for orthodontic treatment later.

What Causes Orthodontic Irregularities?

-Nutritional disorders.

-Mouth breathing.

-Thumb-sucking.

-Pacifier use.

-Always sleeping on the same side.

-Bad habits such as clenching teeth, nail-biting, pen-biting.

-Early loss of baby teeth.

-Tooth irregularities linked to gum problems.

-Irregularities arising from tooth loss.

-Irregularities caused by wisdom teeth pressing on the teeth in front of them.

-Genetic predisposition.

-Hormonal imbalances, systemic diseases.

What Are the Symptoms of Orthodontic Irregularities?

-Crowding; misplaced or unerupted teeth.

-A jaw positioned excessively forward or backward.

-Cheek-biting and lip-biting.

-Forward-positioned teeth.

-Upper and lower teeth not touching, or closing abnormally.

-An unbalanced facial appearance.

What to Pay Attention to Before and After Orthodontic Treatment

1- Before starting orthodontic treatment, decayed teeth must be treated and the gums brought to a fully healthy state.

2- With fixed appliances, dental plaque settles very quickly around the brackets glued onto the teeth. To prevent this, regularly brushing the appliance and the teeth is essential.

3- Once the dentist begins treatment, they see the patient roughly once a month on average. Therefore, the major responsibility in orthodontic treatment falls on the children themselves. For this reason, children whose teeth are to be corrected need to want the treatment. Pressure from the family often has a negative effect.

4- The dentist's recommendations during check-ups must be followed carefully.

5- Appointments must not be missed.

6- If there is breakage, detachment, or a component that has come loose from the mouth in the appliances, treatment is interrupted. In such cases, the dentist should be consulted immediately.

Benefits of Orthodontics

– Closing gaps between teeth

– Correcting jaw and bite irregularities

– Correcting the position and alignment of teeth

– Properly aligning teeth and lips.

– Orthodontic treatment holds a very important place in aesthetic dentistry.

– With orthodontic treatment, as teeth take their correct place on the jawbone, joint, head and neck pain caused by bite irregularities can also be relieved.

– Orthodontic treatment gives a person full chewing function, playing an effective role in resolving stomach and digestive system problems as well.

– As orthodontic treatment straightens teeth, it allows you to care for your teeth better, reducing your risk of cavities and giving you healthier teeth.

– Although orthodontic treatment carried out to achieve an aesthetic appearance and regain chewing function is more expensive than alternative prosthetic treatments, it offers priceless value in preserving the natural state of the teeth and surrounding tissues.

– Prices and the treatment process in orthodontics vary according to the severity of the case and the type of appliance to be used.