Orthodonty
Who is an Orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a specialist dentist who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of tooth alignment and jaw relation disorders. In order to become an orthodontist, it is necessary to receive 4 years of specialization training after 5 years of dental education.What is malocclusion?
In some cases, the jaw bones do not form properly and therefore the teeth do not align up regularly. This, in turn, leads to problems such as crowding of teeth, the formation of gaps between the teeth, or to a disorder in the jaw structures. Malocclusion is not a disease, it is only the failure of the teeth to be in their natural place, but over time it can cause other problems such as difficulty speaking or chewing and may make it difficult to clean the teeth. Malocclusion comes in many forms. Some of them are :- Overdevelopment in the upper jaw
- Underdevelopment in the upper jaw
- Overdevelopment in the lower jaw
- Underdevelopment in the lower jaw
- Forward positioned anterior teeth
- Crowding
- Impacted tooth
- Missing teeth
- Deep bite
- Open bite
- Cross bite
- Diastema
Orthodonty
What causes malocclusion?
Early loss of temporary teeth: Loss of temporary teeth at an early age due to decay and failure to maintain the location of the temporary teeth with retention causes the space required for the eruption of the permanent tooth to be blocked.Genetic causes: Occlusal disorders can be transmitted to a child through inheritance, such as the absence of some teeth, impacted teeth, crowding of teeth, and narrowing of the upper jaw bone.Ear, nose, and throat diseases: Problems with tonsils, adenoids, and mouth breathing lead to a change in the shape of the jaw bones to become narrower, and this leads to insufficient space for the teeth to be placed in a regular manner.Bad habits: Bad habits such as tongue pushing, thumb sucking, using a pacifier or bottle for a long time, tongue sucking, lip sucking, pen biting, nail biting can also cause orthodontic disorders in teeth and jaw structures.Congenital disorders: Congenital disorders in the facial and maxillofacial area, such as (cleft lip and palate, Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome...) cause problems with the alignment of the teeth, and sometimes they can cause asymmetry in the external shape of the face as well.Loss of permanent teeth: If they are not replaced, the loss of permanent teeth causes gaps to form between the teeth. This leads to the tilting of adjacent teeth, a narrowing of the tooth extraction site and its insufficient capacity to make a replacement in the future, and difficulty in chewing.What kind of problems do tooth and jaw disorders cause if orthodontic treatment is not performed?
Overlapping teeth cause difficulty in cleaning the teeth, irregular teeth lead to occlusal defects, tooth displacement, difficulty in chewing or speaking, and gum problems. If left untreated, these disorders can develop and make treatment more complicated.When should the first orthodontic examination be done for children?
For children, it is recommended that they undergo orthodontic checks before the age of 7 .At this age, the orthodontist can detect problems in jaw and tooth development while the child has deciduous teeth. Early diagnosis is important because certain orthodontic problems are easier to treat when diagnosed early. Some of the disorders in the jaw can be resolved before the child’s growth period ends. Most patients’ orthodontic treatment begins between the ages of 9-14, when children are growing fast.Who can receive orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age. In the past, there was a misconception that orthodontic treatment was only applied to children. Today, the number of adult patients who want to receive orthodontic treatment is quite high. Age is not a negative criterion for orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age.What is required for orthodontic examination and planning?
Before orthodontic treatment, clinical examination should be performed for diagnosis and treatment planning. Smile, side profile, the degree of disorder in the jaws and teeth are determined by examination. Orthodontic x-rays are necessary to determine the treatment plan and course.The necessary x-rays are then taken and matched with the oral examination to develop the precise treatment plan and schedule.What dental preparations are necessary before starting orthodontic treatment?
Before starting orthodontic treatment, it is absolutely necessary to clean the tartar and treat the caries. The person must have regular teeth brushing habits before starting orthodontic treatment.What devices are used in orthodontics?
- Fixed orthodontic appliances (Brackets)
- Removable orthodontic devices
- Extraoral appliances
- Functional appliances
- Transparent plaques
What foods can be eaten during fixed orthodontic treatment?
Eating may be more difficult than before for the first few days of treatment. Pain may be experienced while chewing. During this period, soft foods are recommended when there is sensitivity in the teeth. Foods such as ice cream, yoghurt, pudding, soup, boiled potatoes, bananas, soft foods, milk are recommended for comfortable chewing. As long as the brackets are in the mouth, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment must be careful about what they eat and drink. Otherwise, the bracket(s) may break off from the tooth, which will prolong the treatment period.Foods that should not be consumed during treatment:
- Crispy foods: Popcorn, chips, etc.
- Sticky foods: Caramel, chewing gum, Turkish delight, jelly beans, etc.
- Hard foods: Nuts, almonds, sugar, etc.
- Food that require biting: Apples, carrots, sandwiches, boiled corn, etc.
- Acidic beverages: Sodas, carbonated juices, etc.
How to ensure good oral care during orthodontic treatment?
Teeth require special care during orthodontic treatment. Food residues accumulate on brackets, braces, bands, and other appliances, therefore cleaning of teeth with brackets is more difficult than regular dental cleaning. During this period, the only way to prevent dental caries and gingival diseases is to brush teeth after every main meal and snack.Measures that can be taken to take good oral care during orthodontic treatment are as follows:
- Teeth should be cleaned after every meal and snack
- An interface brush should be used to remove stuck food residues
- Mouthwash should be used after brushing in order to reduce bacteria in the mouth
- Fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush should be preferred
- Regular checks with the dentist should be continued throughout the treatment
What kind of problems are encountered if the teeth are not brushed well during orthodontic treatment?
Preserving dental and gingival health requires more care during orthodontic treatment because orthodontic treatment creates environmental changes in the oral environment. It is easier for food to be stuck on the extensions of the appliances and brackets. Food accumulation accelerates the accumulation of dental dirt, which we call plaque. In the presence of plaque, the number of acid-producing bacteria on the tooth increases. If the plaque is not cleaned, staining on the tooth surface, deterioration of the enamel layer of the tooth and caries occur.What are the responsibilities of the patient during orthodontic treatment?
The patient is primarily responsible for the preservation of dental and gingival health. For this reason, the patient must perform oral care in the most perfect way. Orthodontic appliances are attached to the teeth with a certain durability; excessive and sudden load can cause the appliances to break or break, therefore the patient must comply with the eating and drinking rules. In order to ensure the rapid progress of the treatment and to achieve the targeted result, recommendations of the doctor should be fully complied with throughout the treatment. Appointments should not be postponed. Reinforcement appliances applied at the end of the treatment should be used for the period recommended by the doctor.How often should orthodontic treatment appointments be made?
Appointments in orthodontic treatment are planned according to the patient’s condition. Appointments in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment vary between 4-6 weeks. In special cases that require more frequent control, appointments are planned accordingly.How long does orthodontic treatment take?
Orthodontic treatment continues until the targeted result is achieved. Individual differences affect the treatment process. In addition, the severity of the problem, differences in the structures of the teeth and jaws, teeth and gingival health, the individual’s interest in treatment and oral care also create differences in the treatment period. Orthodontic treatment may be required for different periods ranging between 6 months and 3 years. The treatment takes 1,5 to 2 years for most people.What are the risks of orthodontic treatment?
No pain is experienced during the placement of the brackets. During the first 3-4 days of treatment, tenderness may occur during biting movement. There may be injury to the lips, cheeks and tongue for a few weeks until you get used to the appliances. Some appliances may cause speech difficulties for the first day or two. Food residues around orthodontic appliances can lead to plaque formation on the teeth, which can lead to enamel damage, staining, caries or irreversible damage to the teeth. There is also a risk that the teeth will return to their former positions despite the treatment. In order to minimize this risk, the person should not interrupt the reinforcement treatment phase.What is tooth extraction treatment?
For treatment of some orthodontic disorders, it may be necessary to perform treatment by pulling teeth. Tooth extraction decision for orthodontic treatment should be made by a specialist who has received orthodontic training.What is reinforcement treatment?
It is a passive treatment phase applied to prevent the teeth from returning to their previous condition after the end of active orthodontic treatment. ‘Reinforcement appliances’ are used in order to preserve the result achieved with the treatment. Removable or fixed reinforcement appliances are applied at this stage. Teeth also demonstrate a natural change over the years, just like the aging of the human body. Reinforcement treatment is necessary to keep the change process to a minimum. The importance you attach to this period ensures that your treatment is permanent. It is the person’s own responsibility to use the reinforcing appliances. Removable appliances should not be lost, if fixed appliances are applied, careful care is required to protect the health of the teeth and gingiva.What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery is a surgical method that helps to correct deformities that occur in chewing functions and facial aesthetics as a result of the disorder in the relation of the lower and upper jaw. The Orthodontist and Surgeon work together for this type of treatment. Teeth are corrected orthodontically, afterwards the jaws are surgically repositioned. Thus, both facial aesthetics and chewing functions are improved.Orthodontic disorders requiring orthognathic surgery:
- Cases where the lower jaw is anterior than normal
- Cases where the lower jaw is posterior than normal
- Cases where the upper jaw is anterior than normal
- Cases where the upper jaw is anterior than normal
- Cases where the tip of the chin is anterior or posterior
- Severe anterior opening-closing disorders
- Excessively long or short face cases
- Cases of asymmetric development of the face and jaws
