Q & A
Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry, which deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of tooth malpositions in the dental arches and the guidance of the jaws in harmonious positions with each other, aiming at restoring proper function of the mouth and face aesthetics.
It constitutes one of the officially recognized dental specialties. In order to practice orthodontics, it is required to obtain additional knowledge after graduation from the School of Dentistry in complete postgraduate study programs at home or abroad.
The title of orthodontist is given by the Ministry of Health following successful examination. Thus, only those who hold the relevant certificate of the Ministry are entitled be orthodontists.
- Proper mouth function (mastication and speech),
- Facilitating the maintenance of oral hygiene,
- Facilitating general dentistry and other specialties,
- Reducing the likelihood of tooth injuries, especially when incisors protrude out of the lips, especially in young people,
- Beautiful smile and more pleasing facial features and thus enhancing self-esteem of the person.
According to the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists), all children must undergo orthodontic examination at the latest by the age of 7 years. Certain dental problems as well as facial harmony problems can be prevented if diagnosed early. Early diagnosis can lead to the avoidance of extractions of permanent teeth or maxillofacial surgery in the future.
The appropriate age for starting orthodontic treatment is determined by the orthodontist, depending on the nature and severity of the problem and is not the same for all patients.
- Higher probability of avoiding extraction of permanent teeth.
- Better control of skeletal problems, since before or after puberty the orthodontist can affect skeletal growth.
- Better response of tissues.
- Greater adaptation of the young patients to the appliances and better cooperation.
- Practically easier treatment, due to fewer obligations of children who go to primary school than those who attend junior high school and high school.
- The younger children do not feel ashamed unlike the older ones.
- When treatment begins early, it is almost over in adolescence and thus, as teenagers, they have increased self-confidence because of the better appearance of their mouth and face in general.
- Adult patients whose skeleton is completely formed are more often driven to treatments with extractions of permanent teeth, or when there are skeletal problems, they may require surgery.
Orthodontic problems may be due to hereditary or environmental factors or to a combination of both.
Appliances used in orthodontic treatment can be removable appliances (such as Hawleys and clear aligners) when the patient can remove and place them by himself or fixed (such as braces) when they are fixed on the teeth during treatment and can be removed only by the orthodontist.
It is a method for strictly selected cases. The orthodontist is the one to decide if it can be applied on a case-by-case basis, and is an alternative for those who do not want to have braces on their teeth. There are several techniques of clear aligners such as Invisalign, Clear aligner etc.
During the treatment, the patient wears a series of clear aligners splints, which are custom-made specifically for him/her, move the teeth and offer aesthetics, as they look minimal when wearing them.
Various habits of a child are often the causes of abnormalities in the development of teeth and mouth. Such habits are oral breathing (often associated with oversized adenoids, chronic asthma, allergic conditions), tooth grinding, tongue thrust, biting of the lower lip, nails or foreign objects (pencils, etc.); one-sided chewing, thumb-sucking, etc.
In these cases, support and friendly dialogue are the best way to address the problem. In persistent situations, the orthodontist can support parents' efforts with the appropriate appliances, thereby achieving a steady cessation of the harmful habit.
During treatment, it is likely that some extractions of deciduous teeth may be needed when they stay longer than normal in the mouth. Extracting or not permanent teeth is a serious decision that the orthodontist should make. The time of extraction and the type of teeth to be extracted are defined only by the orthodontist, if necessary.
Impacted teeth are teeth that have not erupted in the mouth as they remain inside the jawbone. The presence of impacted teeth can be detected by clinical examination and radiography. In combination with surgery, these teeth can be pulled and helped to acquire their normal position in the mouth. If they are found to be ankylosed, which means that they cannot move at all, it is decided to extract them.
Orthodontic treatment can be performed regardless of age for aesthetic or functional reasons. Indeed, there are modern "invisible" orthodontic appliances adapted to the aesthetic requirements of adult patients.
The success of an orthodontic treatment requires the treatment to be performed by an orthodontic specialist and the patient to be consistent and punctual.
The patient should faithfully follow the orthodontist's instructions about the use of orthodontic appliances and should not miss his appointments. He should also have perfect oral hygiene, ie to effectively wash his teeth 3 times a day after main meals, avoiding sweets, candies and chewing gum in between.
It varies from a few months to several years, depending on the nature and severity of the problem, on a diagnostic and therapeutic basis.
After the end of the orthodontic treatment and the removal of all the appliances, the orthodontic retention phase starts and is absolutely necessary to maintain the result.
Retention is not only a responsibility of the orthodontist, but patient collaboration is also required to maintain the outcome. The duration of retention is frequently lifelong.
After the end of treatment, visits to the orthodontist are required for a checkup and maintenance of the retainers. With the exception of emergency appointments, the timing and frequency of the appointments are defined by the orthodontist.
The overall cost of treatment is determined by a number of factors, such as the type of problem, duration of treatment and the type of appliances to be used. The exact cost of treatment is determined after the diagnosis and design of orthodontic treatment. This is why it is necessary to examine the patients in the clinic.