Orthodontics (Braces Applications)
Orthodontics is a branch of science that deals with correcting crooked teeth and eliminating incompatibilities in the teeth, jaws, and facial structure.
Orthodontists (orthodontic specialists) ensure that your jawbone and teeth are positioned correctly and in the proper alignment.
Correcting dental crowding provides significant aesthetic improvement and also contributes greatly to oral and dental health. By eliminating crowding, these areas can be cleaned more easily and effectively, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. In addition, since the way the teeth and jaws close together improves, a healthier chewing function is achieved.
When your child reaches approximately 7 years of age, it is necessary for an orthodontic specialist to determine whether such treatment is needed.
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
1- FIXED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES:
This type of treatment is performed using brackets bonded to the teeth. Brackets can be made of metal or porcelain. Tooth-colored porcelain brackets do not cause any aesthetic discomfort.
2- REMOVABLE ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES:
These are appliances that the patient can put on and remove by themselves. They are used in simpler cases.
3- JAW ORTHOPEDICS:
This is a field of orthodontics that aims to correct impaired relationships between the lower and upper jaws at an early age using special appliances worn on the face. In many cases, orthopedic treatment (ensuring jaw harmony) and orthodontic treatment (ensuring proper bite alignment of the teeth) are carried out together.
4- ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY:
Orthognathic surgery is used in cases that cannot be corrected with orthodontic or orthopedic treatment. Deformities in the jaw and face may be congenital or may occur later due to accidents or diseases. Incompatibility between the jaws and the face can cause both aesthetic and functional problems. With advanced technology and surgical techniques, these deformities can be corrected.
5- INVISALIGN:
In some simple cases, dental crowding can now be corrected without using brackets, through the use of transparent aligners. These custom-made aligners, which are changed every two weeks, must be worn for approximately 20 hours a day. Each treatment requires an average of 60 pairs (upper and lower jaw) of different corrective aligners. The treatment duration is similar to that of bracket-based treatments and varies between 6 and 24 months depending on the case.
Causes of Orthodontic Problems
- Nutritional disorders
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking
- Pacifier use
- Sleeping position
- Bad habits such as teeth grinding, nail biting, pen chewing, and lip biting
- Early loss of primary (baby) teeth
- Tooth irregularities due to gum problems
- Irregularities caused by tooth loss
- Irregularities caused by wisdom teeth pushing the front teeth
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal imbalances and systemic diseases
Things to Consider During Orthodontic Treatment
Brackets allow food and bacterial plaque to accumulate easily, so oral hygiene is very important. A medium-soft toothbrush should be used. Using special orthodontic toothbrushes is also beneficial.
Using superfloss dental floss is very important for maintaining complete hygiene.
Another helpful tool for maintaining oral hygiene is the interdental brush.
Mouthwashes can also be used as a supplement alongside brushing and flossing, but they can never replace brushing and flossing.
Hard foods such as apples and carrots should be cut with a knife before eating, otherwise they may cause brackets to break.
Especially hard and shelled nuts should be avoided, as they can cause brackets to break.
Sticky foods such as caramel can adhere to brackets, leading to both tooth decay and bracket breakage. During this period, routine check-ups are very important for maintaining gum health.