Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions, commonly known as "bad bites." Common orthodontic treatments include braces, clear aligners, and retainers.
Having teeth that are in harmony with each othpacts oral health. The way your teeth in the upper and lower jaws come together is referred to as "occlusion." When this occlusion is poor, it's called malocclusion. Addressing malocclusion can help prevent oral health issues such as cavities, gum diseases, and excessive wear (erosion) when treated.
Ortodontics: What Is It?
Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of misaligned teeth, jaw irregularities, and improperly aligned bite patterns. It also encompasses the modification of facial growth.
Positional abnormalities of teeth and jaws are quite common. Therefore, many people benefit from orthodontic treatment, and patients who have completed treatment often report an improvement in their quality of life.
The duration of orthodontic treatment can vary from several months to several years. The length of treatment needed for teeth and jaws depends on the disorders present, the patient's oral and dental health, and their age. During this process, an orthodontist may use braces and similar appliances to gradually adjust tooth positions and jaw alignment. In cases where malocclusion, or poor bite, is severe, surgical intervention may be included in the treatment plan.
What Does Orthodontics Mean?
Orthodontics is a specialization within dentistry. The origin of the word comes from Greek: "ortho," meaning straight or correct, and "odont," meaning tooth. Orthodontics is derived from the combination of these two words. In this context, the field of orthodontics deals with the proper alignment of teeth within the oral cavity and the diagnosis and treatment of irregularities related to teeth, jaws, and facial structure.
Orthodontic Treatment: What Is It?
Orthodontic treatment encompasses a range of oral and dental therapies conducted within the field of orthodontics. Such treatments typically commence during childhood. Treatment usually begins when a child's baby teeth have fallen out and most of the adult teeth have erupted (around the age of 12). However, the age at which treatment starts can vary depending on how many adult teeth have erupted. Additionally, orthodontic treatment can be initiated at any age in adults.
Orthodontic treatment may sometimes increase the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Therefore, an orthodontist may expect the patient to have good oral hygiene before starting treatment.
An orthodontist may use braces to correct the position of the teeth. Braces, which are one of the most commonly used orthodontic appliances, work to straighten teeth through the use of an external wire attached to the teeth. Although this process can be uncomfortable at times, it is frequently chosen by patients and orthodontists because it achieves the desired outcome.
Furthermore, an orthodontist may employ mechanical devices or perform maneuvers related to the jaw. In some cases, the patient may need to wear headgear or have temporary screws placed in their jaw. The exact treatment approach is determined based on the dental issue present.
If teeth are overcrowded and braces are required, an orthodontist may recommend the extraction of some teeth, even if they are healthy.
The duration of treatment generally depends on the complexity of the cases. Roughly speaking, orthodontic treatment lasts between 6 and 30 months. After the process is completed, retainers may be placed in the patient's mouth to prevent the teeth from returning to their original position. Retainers are not removable like braces and help maintain the alignment of the teeth. Sometimes, after the braces are removed, the patient may need to wear a type of removable retainer. These types of retainers can be taken out and put back in, unlike other treatment methods. It is generally recommended to use them for at least 12 months. The use of retainers varies from case to case. Therefore, if you have any questions about how to use retainers after orthodontic treatment, you can consult your orthodontist.
Benefits and Process of Orthodontic Treatment:
Orthodontics improves the appearance of teeth, providing cosmetic benefits. In addition to these cosmetic benefits, orthodontic treatment offers many functional advantages as well. These advantages are listed below:
- Straightening teeth improves the patient's chewing function and clarifies pronunciation.
- Irregularities in teeth alignment can increase the risk of food particles getting stuck between teeth and consequently lead to tooth decay. Orthodontic treatment reduces this risk.
- Malocclusions can increase the risk of gum injury and trauma. This risk decreases with orthodontic treatment.
- Proper alignment of teeth makes dental hygiene much easier.
- Orthodontic treatment alleviates pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- After orthodontic treatment, the patient achieves a beautiful and healthy smile.
- Orthodontic treatment can help individuals become more confident as it improves their smile and appearance.
The orthodontic process involves a significant role for patients as it is a long-term commitment and doesn't end with just hospital visits. Patients play a crucial role in their own treatments. In the orthodontic treatment process, which is conducted in a kind of consultant-client relationship, interventions on teeth may initially be painful. However, users, especially in braces treatments, often report that the pain subsides over time and they become accustomed to the treatment tools. Adhering to the directives given by the orthodontist throughout this extended process is crucial for dental health.
Orthodontic Prices:
The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary depending on the procedure performed and the location where the procedure is carried out. Additionally, the duration of treatment and the materials used during this process can significantly influence the final cost. However, oral and dental health, much like the rest of the body, greatly impacts overall health. Therefore, when choosing an orthodontist, it may be more important to seek treatment from a trusted expert rather than focusing solely on price. Liv Hospital also offers orthodontic treatment services with its experienced team.
What to Know About Orthodontic Treatment:
Orthodontic treatment can be used to address many issues, and patients can benefit from orthodontics in various ways. For example:
- Correcting dental misalignments,
- Straightening teeth,
- Correcting malocclusion (poor bite),
- Reducing the risk of damage to protruding teeth, are some of the benefits.
In orthodontic treatment, sometimes the shape of the face affected by the abnormal position of the patient's teeth and jaw can be corrected. Additionally, it can also help correct other health issues such as cleft lip and palate.
A common complication of orthodontic treatment is white spots on the teeth. These spots can occur when plaque builds up on the patient's teeth and around the braces, producing acid and indicating early tooth decay. To prevent such issues and reduce the risk of tooth decay, orthodontists may recommend high-fluoride toothpaste or fluoride-containing mouthwash for patients. Additionally, avoiding sugary foods and carbonated drinks during orthodontic treatment is often advised.
Sıkça Sorulan Sorular:
Ortodonti tedavisi ne kadar sürer?
Ortodontik tedavi süresi, vakadan vakaya değişmekle birlikte genellikle 6 ila 30 ay arasında değişir. Hastalar, tedavinin süresi ve sonrasındaki uyumlarına bağlı olarak tedaviden daha kolay çıkabilirler.
Ortodontik tedavisinin yan etkileri nelerdir?
Ortodontik tedavinin yan etkileri ve olası komplikasyonlar, her vakada farklılık gösterebilir. Ancak ortak bir sorun, çürük riskinin artmasıdır. Hastalar, ortodontik cihazlarını yeterince temizlemezlerse çürük riski artabilir. Bu nedenle, hastaların ortodontistin ağız hijyeni tavsiyelerine uyması önemlidir.
Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı Tedavisi
Çocukluktan yetişkinliğe her yaş grubundan hastaya alternatif tedaviler sunulmaktadır. Klinikte, düzensiz ve çapraşık dişlerin düzeltilmesi, diş, çene ve yüzdeki uyumsuzlukların giderilmesi başarıyla gerçekleştirilir. Geleneksel yöntemlerin yanı sıra, yetişkinler için daha rahat olan alternatif tedavi yöntemleri de bulunmaktadır.
- Geleneksel Ortodontik Tedavi (Porselen, Safir, Metal Braketler): Geleneksel ortodontik tedavi, çapraşık dişlerin düzeltilmesi, alt ve üst çene uyumsuzluklarının giderilmesi ve diş eti sağlığı için uygulanır. Teknolojinin ilerlemesiyle, dişlerin dış yüzeylerine yapıştırılan braketlerin yerini görünmeyen braketler almıştır. Bu sayede her yaş grubu rahatlıkla ortodontik tedavi görebilir.
- Invisalign: Kişiye özel hazırlanan şeffaf plaklarla yapılan tedavi yöntemidir. Metal braketler olmadığından tedavi görüldüğü belli olmaz.
- Lingual Ortodonti: Geleneksel metal braketlerin dişlerin arka yüzeylerine uygulandığı bir tedavi yöntemidir. Bu yöntem, dişlerdeki braketlerin görünmemesi nedeniyle estetik kaygı olmadan yetişkinlerde rahatlıkla kullanılabilir.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
