Orthodontics

Orthodontics means “Smooth Tooth” in Latin. It is generally referred to as “orthodontics and maxillofacial orthopedics” in the world. The reason for this is that it is a branch of science that examines not only teeth, but also teeth and jaw-face relations. In order to become an orthodontist, it is necessary to take a 4-year orthodontic education after completing a 5-year dental school. The physician who completes this training process deserves the title of “orthodontist”.

Generally, people feel the need to apply to orthodontists when they realize the irregularities and crookedness of their own or their children’s teeth or when they are not satisfied with their appearance. However, most of these disorders can be prevented as a result of regular check-ups that start at a young age. Thanks to early interventions and adequate oral health education in conscious societies, tooth loss and dental crowding in advanced ages have decreased significantly. In our country, intensive efforts are being made to establish this awareness.

The ability of our teeth and jaws to function with each other in the right positions is a very important factor affecting all our respiratory and chewing functions. This is where orthodontics comes into play and helps us to perform these functions at the optimum level. Orthodontists make great efforts to make our teeth and jaws function properly during treatment. Dozens of records (measurements, photographs, X-rays of the jaw and face, even computed tomography when necessary) taken before the treatment are analyzed meticulously in order to create a treatment plan, and the right treatment plan is tried to be created. The right treatment plan is half of the treatment; For this reason, properly working orthodontists attach great importance to this stage. Necessary treatment is applied using more cleverly planned mechanics. The duration of treatment is between 1 year and 4 years, depending on the severity of the case. Usually the duration of treatment is 2 years.

The basic devices used in orthodontics are brackets and wires. In addition, many more intraoral and extraoral devices are used. There are many types of brackets used as a basis and attached to each tooth. These differences are divided into two as mechanical and aesthetic. The reason for the mechanical differences is as follows; Since the first application of orthodontics, many treatment techniques and philosophies have emerged. As a result, there are dozens of brackets with different mechanical properties on the market. In general, each orthodontist has one or several techniques adopted and chooses the brackets he uses in line with his system. Aesthetically, there are tooth-colored and gold-colored brackets, which are mostly preferred by adults. They also differ according to the material they are made of and the technical features they contain.