Orthodontic applications include braces treatments. Orthodontics; is the branch that deals with diagnosing, treating and preventing dental and facial disorders. Orthodontic treatment at an early age helps the teeth to settle in the correct positions on the jaw and the development of the jaw.
Orthodontic treatments performed in adults correct the closing disorders in the lower and upper jaws and the crowding of the teeth. It provides a healthier mouth, more durable teeth and a more impressive smile. Orthodontic treatment can be mobile or fixed.
In Which Situations Are Orthodontic Applications Performed?
- Insufficient space in the jaw for the alignment of the teeth (crowding)
- Cleft palate-lip
- Having at least one missing tooth in the mouth and the other teeth starting to shift toward this area
- Jaw lockups
- Curvature, backwardness or forwardness of the lower or upper jaw; jaw and face mismatch
- Wide gaps between teeth naturally or due to tooth extraction
- toothy upper jaw structure
- Premature extraction of milk teeth
- Gaps in the corner of the mouth or excessive appearance of the gums while smiling
- Biting and chewing problems due to the bad relationship between mouth and jaw
Advantages of Orthodontic Treatment
- If treatment is started early, it is possible to completely correct the jaw structure. The duration of future treatments will also be shortened.
- It prevents bad habits such as nail biting, lip biting, and thumb sucking.
- It stops chin growth.
- It facilitates breathing.
- Treats toothy structure.
- It enables the person to feel self-confident, to speak and smile more comfortably in public.
- By improving facial aesthetics and oral health, it both improves physical appearance and prevents psychological problems caused by orthodontic problems.
- It is of great importance in the prevention of possible jaw joint problems and gum diseases that may occur later, and in ensuring chewing functionality.
What are Orthodontic Applications?
Orthodontic treatment is carried out for purposes such as affecting the growth of the jaw muscles and moving the teeth. grouped according to whether they are mobile or fixed. Orthodontic treatment applications consist of:
Fixed Orthodontic Applications
- Fixed Placeholders: If the patient has lost their primary teeth early, placeholders are used to prevent the other teeth from slipping into the cavity until the permanent tooth erupts.
- Custom Fixed Applications: It is used in the treatment of tooth attachment and finger-sucking habit. It is considered as a last resort when there is no other option left, as it causes difficulty in eating.
- Bracket Installation: This application, which is performed with elastics and wires, is among the most popular orthodontic treatments. Brackets are attached to the teeth. Wires passed through the brackets apply force to the teeth. In this way, it is ensured that the teeth move slowly and come to the correct position. The duration of treatment varies from a few months to several years. Adjustments are made every month to ensure that the improvement in the teeth is at the desired level. Transparent and colored brackets contain little metal and have a light structure.
- Aligners: This treatment is performed without brackets. Wires and brackets are not used in this method. Aligners are often produced as transparent. They need to be removed when eating, using a toothbrush, or floss.
Removable Orthodontics Applications
- Appliances: These were developed to change the jaw position or to correct temporomandibular joint problems. Also known as splint. They support the correction of jaw-closing disorders by placing them on the upper or lower jaw.
- Headgear: Attached to the front of the head via tape and metal wire. It is used to slow down the development of the upper jaw. It keeps the back teeth in place while moving the front teeth back.
- Animated Reinforcers: This passive appliance is used after orthodontic treatment to maintain the current position of the teeth and prevent them from being restored. It helps to quit thumb sucking habit.
- Chin Extender: This device provides enlargement in the upper jaw. The bone under the palate moves and opens with the force applied by the screws. Thus, the upper jaw expands.
- Lip and Cheek Bumper: This prevents the lip and cheek from getting between the teeth. It works by pushing the teeth back. It prevents the force that the cheek and lip muscles will exert on the teeth.
- Retainer: It aims to straighten the teeth with transparent plaques. A wire is not used. It also replaces the reinforcement appliance.
At What Age Are Orthodontic Treatment Applications Performed?
There is no age limit for these treatments. However, the method to be applied and the duration of treatment differ according to age.
Orthodontic treatment is done in some cases to prepare for the prosthesis. It is applied to make the teeth suitable for the prosthesis. These are short-term treatments. It is completed in 4-12 months.
How Is Orthodontic Treatment Done?
- In the first examination, the patient’s tooth structure is examined in detail. The method and duration of treatment are determined by the type of problem experienced by the patient. At this stage, help is taken from various models and measurements.
- Other treatments may be needed to prepare for orthodontic treatment. Cleaning, gum treatment and filling are examples of this. These must be completed before orthodontic applications can be made.
- Active treatment begins with applications such as clear aligners or braces. This process continues for several months or several years. Necessary arrangements are made by examining the intervals specified by the physician (usually every 4-6 weeks).
- After the treatment, consolidation therapy is started. After the active treatment is over, preventive treatment is applied in order to preserve the result obtained and to prevent the teeth from moving again and returning to their original position.
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
The answer to this question is determined by various factors such as the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, and the treatment method to be applied. The most important factor affecting the treatment process is patient compliance.
Correct and regular oral care, not interrupting appointments, not breaking brackets and wires; Good use of the rubber and appliances provided ensures that the treatment is completed in a minimum time.
No matter how severe the problem is, treatment should normally not take more than 2.5 years. The average duration is 1.5 years, and there are treatments that end within 12 months.
What Should Be Considered in Orthodontic Treatment?
- Oral care should be applied; Teeth should be brushed more carefully. For this, help from interface brushes and orthodontic brushes should be sought.
- If wires are attached for treatment, hard foods that can cause them to break should not be consumed.
- Pears, apples, toast, wraps, etc. should be eaten by cutting, and should not be bitten off with teeth. Popcorn should not be consumed either, as there is a risk of a hard piece coming out at any time.
- Nuts such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts should be crushed and cut into small pieces and eaten that way.
- Bagels, toast and similar hard foods can be eaten by softening them.
- While eating, it is necessary to use the right and left sides equally, to eat in small bites.
- Olives, plums, cherries etc. Foods should be consumed by separating their seeds and should not be taken into the mouth with their seeds.
- Products that stick to the teeth such as chewing gum and jelly beans should be avoided.
- Acidic things should not be drunk.
- The products recommended for braces care should be used regularly.
- To prevent decay at the interfaces of the teeth, dental floss should be used and the contact surfaces should be cleaned. But at this time, the gums should not be irritated.
- Those involved in contact sports should pay attention to protecting the mouth area with special apparatus.
- Tires should be used as directed by the orthodontist. After the wires are removed, the use of the plate should not be interrupted. Otherwise, the teeth will deteriorate.
