Orthodontic Treatment

The literal meaning of Orthodontics is “straight teeth”. The branch of Dentistry that examines the relationships between teeth, lower and upper jaws and facial bones by taking into account the individual’s age, growth and development status, tries to prevent the formation of anomalies (impaired structure) concerning the teeth-jaw-face region, detects cases where there are deviations from normal, aims to treat irregularities in teeth, position and closure disorders and facial skeletal anomalies, and thus aims to achieve good aesthetics and function is called “Orthodontics”.

In what cases should it be done?

Crooked teeth, missing teeth, closing problems, forward and backward jaw conditions, jaw narrowness, problems caused by wisdom teeth

Treatment Duration

6 months - 3 years
Age Group

All Ages
Is It Painful?

No

Crooked teeth look bad aesthetically, pose a risk for tooth decay and gingivitis, and malocclusions cause discomfort in the lower jaw joint in later ages.

Straight teeth and jaws provide good natural aesthetics, beautiful smile and speech, as well as comfortable chewing and nutrition, and contribute to the health of teeth and gums. The risk of gum disease and tooth decay that may occur due to inadequate oral hygiene in crooked dental arches is eliminated with orthodontic treatment.

The risk of functional problems such as lower jaw joint disorders due to incorrect lower jaw positioning is prevented thanks to the proper dental closure achieved as a result of orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic problems can begin in childhood, but can also occur in adulthood due to problems such as early permanent tooth loss, gum disease, and trauma.

Young woman cleans braces with a dental brush, close-up.

Genetic factors: The incompatibility between the size of the teeth and the length of the jaw causes irregularities or the formation of spaces between the teeth called diastema.
Congenital anomalies: Congenital missing or excessive teeth, cleft lip and palate.
Faulty functions: Mouth breathing during sleep, tongue getting between the teeth due to incorrect swallowing may cause tooth and jaw irregularities.
Harmful habits: Thumb sucking, pencil and lip biting, long-term use of pacifiers and baby bottles create gaps in the incisor area.
Early loss of baby teeth (especially baby molars) due to decay,
Teeth grinding, teeth clenching, traumas due to falling and impact.

It is recommended that children have their first Orthodontist examination at the age of 7-8, when the permanent central and lateral incisors in the upper and lower jaws begin to erupt. In this way, problems that will disrupt growth and development can be detected early (anterior open bite, anterior and lateral cross bite, incorrect swallowing, etc.). In the presence of skeletal disorders and incorrect habits, measures taken at an early age and orthodontic treatment started early allow for the correction of facial skeletal disorders, and also prevents the disorder from worsening and major problems that may arise in the future.

If deemed necessary, the orthodontist can start treatment between the ages of 8-10. In problems related to the jaws, an orthodontic treatment plan should be made before puberty (10-12 years) in order to benefit from growth and development.

The aim of these treatments is to prepare enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt properly. It is recommended that children who are prone to tooth decay be monitored by a Pedodontist. Preventive applications can be planned starting from the age of 6 when the permanent first molars erupt. For this purpose, fissure sealant and flour application is applied to the primary and permanent molars and to protect the place of the early lost primary teeth. The Mixed Dentition period, when the primary and permanent teeth are together in the dental arch, is a period in which treatment and preventive applications are made (ages 6-12).

In the Mixed Dentition Period, when the milk and permanent teeth are together in the dental arch, removable appliances are applied to prevent bad habits that will create orthodontic irregularities (thumb sucking, incorrect swallowing, etc.) or to widen the dental arch and make room for permanent teeth. At the age of 7-8, when the permanent incisors erupt, slight crowding in the front region, positional disorders of the incisors in the tooth row, and inverted bites called anterior or lateral crossbites are corrected with removable orthodontic appliances during this period and they can be prevented from turning into complicated irregularities.

After the permanent teeth have grown, it is done with metal or ceramic brackets that are bonded to the teeth by the Orthodontist and removed at the end of the treatment, and orthodontic wires that pass through these brackets. Brackets can be bonded to the front or back surfaces of the teeth. Fixed orthodontic treatment is performed with transparent plates or fixed wires (retainers) that are not visible from the outside, to protect the smooth teeth obtained when healthy teeth, gums and bone support emerge and to prevent deterioration.

They are devices that are generally used in short-term jaw expansions, single or group tooth movements in adolescent individuals in the mixed dentition period, are invisible from the outside, can be put on and taken off by the patient, and can be worn during the day, at school, and while sleeping, except for activities such as eating and sports. They are produced as transparent or colored depending on the individual’s wishes, and contain wires called springs that provide tooth movement and screws used for expansion.

Removable transparent plates are aesthetic orthodontic treatments applied to correct a certain amount of crowding in the incisors. The measurements taken in the clinic are recorded in 3D by means of a computer software. The required number of 0.40 mm thick transparent plates planned to reach the teeth’s closure are produced and delivered to the patient at each appointment to be applied for 2 weeks. It is recommended that the plates be worn for approximately 18 hours a day until the correction is achieved. This method is applied in certain cases, unlike fixed systems, and requires good patient cooperation.

Metal Brackets These are materials that are bonded to the teeth by the orthodontist and remain during the treatment. Metal brackets are made of stainless steel. Orthodontic wires that provide tooth movement are connected to the metal brackets with elastics. The elastics are transparent and colored and are changed at each appointment.

Aesthetic Brackets Porcelain transparent brackets, which are no different from metals in terms of treatment course and effectiveness, are used in individuals who are uncomfortable with the appearance of metal brackets. Transparent brackets and tooth-colored orthodontic wires attached to them are not noticeable from the front.

Lingual Brackets An aesthetic orthodontic treatment system that is bonded to the back of the teeth and is completely invisible from the outside. Its advantage is that it is invisible and is produced specifically for each patient. Its disadvantage is that it is applied in certain cases, it can cause difficulty in speaking and tongue injuries at the beginning of the treatment, it is more expensive than other orthodontic treatments, each appointment and the total treatment time are longer than other methods.

At what age should an orthodontic examination be performed, what is the age at which orthodontic treatment can be started, can it be performed at any age?

It is recommended that the first orthodontist examination be performed at the age of 7-8 when the permanent incisors in the lower and upper jaws begin to erupt. At these ages, problems such as anterior open bite, anterior and lateral cross bite, and incorrect swallowing that will disrupt growth and development can be detected early and if deemed necessary by the orthodontist, treatment can be started between the ages of 8-10. For problems concerning the jaws, the appropriate age for orthodontic treatment is before puberty (10-12 years old) to benefit from growth and development.

What are the causes of orthodontic crowding?

Genetic factors (discrepancy between tooth size and jaw size)
Congenital anomalies (congenital missing or excessive teeth, cleft lip and palate)
Bad habits and functions such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, pencil biting, long-term use of pacifiers.
Early extraction of baby teeth due to decay,
Teeth grinding, teeth clenching, traumas due to falling and impact.
If orthodontic treatment is not performed, gum health in the crowded area deteriorates, gingivitis characterized by swelling and bleeding, decay and bad breath occur.

How long does orthodontic treatment take and what are the appointment intervals?

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies according to the individual’s age, whether the irregularity is dental or skeletal, and the type of orthodontic appliance. Short-term orthodontic treatments with removable appliances in children last 6 months to 1 year, while long-term orthodontic treatments with fixed appliances (brackets, wires) in adolescents and adults last 1-3 years.

Why is orthodontic treatment necessary? Is it only for aesthetic reasons?

Straight teeth obtained with orthodontic treatment provide good aesthetics, beautiful smile and speech, as well as comfortable chewing and nutrition, oral hygiene is high, teeth and gums are healthier. The risk of gum disease and tooth decay due to inadequate oral hygiene in crowded dental arches and the lower jaw joint complaints due to the incorrect position of the lower jaw are eliminated thanks to the straight teeth and dental closure provided with orthodontic treatment.

Do orthodontic braces cause any pain or discomfort during or after they are fitted?

Bonding orthodontic brackets is not a painful procedure. After the orthodontic wires are attached, there will be a feeling of tension and slight sensitivity in the teeth for the first 1-2 days due to the force applied. This disappears when the teeth begin to move.

Are the brackets and wires used in orthodontics harmful to the body?

The materials used in orthodontic treatment are tissue-friendly materials such as porcelain, stainless steel and titanium and do not harm the body.

Is it necessary to restrict food and drink during orthodontic treatment?

During orthodontic treatment, the brackets and wires should not be dislodged and the treatment period should not be prolonged by not consuming hard foods such as nuts, snacks, toast, crackers and acidic drinks, removing the pits of foods such as plums, cherries and olives, avoiding hard foods and chewing small bites with the back teeth without biting.

Do orthodontic brackets and wires cause tooth decay? How to clean brackets and wires? Are there any stains left on the teeth after the brackets are removed?

Brackets and wires do not have a direct effect on the formation of cavities. Food accumulated around the brackets should be cleaned using an orthodontic brush, gum brush, interdental brushes and mouthwash 3 times a day to prevent the risk of cavities and gingivitis. There is no stain left on the teeth when the brackets are removed.

Is there a risk of deterioration of teeth corrected with orthodontic treatment after the braces are removed? What is the importance of reinforcement treatment?

At the end of orthodontic treatment, the brackets are removed and the aim is to fix the teeth in place by starting the reinforcement treatment. For this purpose, transparent plates or invisible fixed wires are used. Failure to use these appliances properly can cause tooth movement. For this reason, patients are examined periodically during the reinforcement period and the use of the appliance is checked.

What are the orthodontic treatment options for adults? Are there any aesthetic methods where the braces are unnoticeable?

In adults, treatment is performed by means of metal or ceramic brackets that are bonded to permanent teeth by the Orthodontist and removed at the end of the treatment, and orthodontic wires that pass through these brackets. In this method called fixed orthodontic treatment, brackets are bonded to the front or back surfaces of the teeth. This treatment is applied to individuals of all ages with healthy teeth, gums and bone support tissue. Porcelain brackets bonded to the front surface of the teeth, invisible metal brackets (Lingual system) bonded to the back surface of the teeth and removable transparent plates (Invisalign) worn outside of meals are aesthetic Orthodontic treatments.

When is treatment with removable clear aligners (Invisalign) used in Orthodontics?

Removable transparent plates are esthetic orthodontic treatments that are applied to correct a certain amount of crowding in the incisors and are not visible from the front. 0.40 mm thick plates are specially prepared for each patient and changed every 2 weeks until correction is achieved. Approximately 18 hours of daily use is recommended. The indication is different from the treatment with fixed brackets and wires and requires good patient cooperation.

Is there a limit to orthodontic treatment, when are surgical methods used, what is Orthognathic Surgery?

In adults, dental crowding treatments are performed on individuals with healthy teeth, gums and bone tissue, but in cases where there are also skeletal disorders, Orthodontics and combined Orthognathic Surgery treatment method is applied. In this method, before the jaw operation, the dental arches are made straight with Orthodontic treatment and then, with the planning of the Plastic Surgeon and Orthodontist, normal jaw and tooth closure is provided with a single or double jaw operation.

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Next Treatment

Dental Tartar Cleaning

Orthodontic Treatment

In what cases should it be done?

Treatment Duration

Age Group

Is It Painful?

Why is it necessary?

When Does It Occur?

What are the reasons?

Orthodontics in Children

Adult Orthodontics

Treatment Types

Preventive Orthodontic Treatment

Preventive Orthodontic Treatment

Fixed Orthodontic Treatment

Appliances and Treatment Techniques

Movable Appliances

Clear Plates

Fixed Appliances (Brackets and wires)

Frequently Asked Questions