Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthopedic and orthodontic problems that occur in the teeth and skeletal structures in the head and neck region. Orthodontic treatment; Although it is known only as the correction of crooked teeth, it also plays an important role in skeletal problems, cleft lip and palate, sleep apnea (OSAS). It also plays an important role in eliminating the problems that arise as a result of bad habits such as lip eating and finger sucking in children, and possible disorders in the skeletal structure of the jaw are prevented.

Importance of Orthodontic Treatment

With orthodontic treatment, the teeth are properly positioned on the jawbone and the pain in the jaw joint, head, neck or other organs caused by malocclusion disappears. By giving the person a good chewing function, problems related to the digestive system, especially stomach problems, can be eliminated. In order to speak well and make sounds correctly, it is necessary to have a regular tooth-jaw relationship.

It is not possible to fully clean teeth that are out of position (forward-backward or sideways). Teeth that cannot be cleaned completely are candidates for caries. Orthodontics allows you to take better care of your teeth while aligning them properly, thus reducing the risk of caries

What is the age for orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment can be applied to both children and adults as long as the teeth are healthy. However, since some problems are easier to solve during the growth and development period, it is recommended that children undergo orthodontic examination from the age of 7. Some orthodontic problems are easier to treat in the early period. For this reason, waiting for all permanent teeth to erupt or for growth to end sometimes makes treatment difficult. Developing technology makes orthodontic treatment that cannot be done in childhood possible in adulthood. In fact, treatments involving the teeth can be performed at almost any age; as long as the teeth and gums are healthy. However, anomalies involving the jaw bones can only be corrected surgically at an advanced age.

Duration of Orthodontic Treatment

In general, active treatment with orthodontic appliances lasts 1-3 years. However, this duration depends on the patient’s growth and development, the degree of malocclusion, the patient’s oral care, compliance with the treatment and the doctor’s recommendations and appointment dates. Non-severe disorders can be treated in a shorter period of time and some individuals respond to orthodontic treatment in a shorter period of time.