Orthodontic treatments, to prevent the occurrence of disorders related to the tooth-maxillofacial region; stopping and treating the progression of existing disorders; however, it is a specialty that aims to provide good aesthetics and function (biting, chewing, speaking, laughing).
The reason for the crowding in the teeth is the lack of space, the jaw can be expanded to make room, the teeth can be opened outwards or the teeth are reduced. Your doctor will decide which one is appropriate. For treatment purposes, brackets are attached to the teeth and memory wires are passed through them. According to the necessity of the treatment, screws, jaw expansion devices, springs, tires etc. can be used. Sometimes it may be necessary to use extraoral devices that need to be put on and taken off by the patient, or rubbers connecting the lower and upper jaws in the mouth. Compliance with the instructions for their use is very important for the success of the treatment.
Orthodontics – How Are Braces Applied?
There is no pain during the application, but there is discomfort due to both the irritation of the inner cheek lining of the teeth and the movement of the teeth. This discomfort may continue for a week, gradually decreasing after the first day. Orthodontic treatment will not affect speech if it will only be applied by attaching brackets to the front of the teeth. However, if an appliance will be applied to the palate, such as chin expansion, speech may be affected in the first few days.
Orthodontics – Braces
The most appropriate age for orthodontic treatments varies from person to person. If there is no problem with the development of the jaws and the teeth are not exposed to trauma due to occlusion disorder, the most appropriate age is the adolescence period when permanent teeth erupt. In this period, both the tooth movement will be faster and it will be easier for the child to accept the braces. However, dental problems can be corrected at any age. However, treatment planning may vary according to age. If the patient has skeletal jaw disorders (the chin may be too anterior or posterior), growth can be directed in adolescence in some cases. However, if it is advanced, if it is thought to progress with age, or if the patient is an adult, it can be corrected with a surgical application to be performed under general anesthesia in hospital conditions after the age of 18.
There are many factors for the duration of orthodontic treatments. Although there are factors that cannot be changed such as the type and severity of the orthodontic problem, the age of the patient, the length of the tooth roots, and the hardness of the bone, the patient's timely arrival to his appointments, attention to his nutrition and oral hygiene, appropriate use of the appliance and elastics are important factors affecting the duration.
During orthodontic treatment, patients may experience some negativities. Metal and rubber devices in the teeth can cause temporary eating-speaking-swallowing difficulties. Wounds may occur on the lips, cheeks and tongue. Oral care can be difficult. Sometimes, undesirable situations such as breakage of brackets and breakage of wires may develop. In order to overcome these problems easily, the doctor's instructions must be followed.
Although cognitive disorders cause joint problems,
Before starting the treatment, all teeth should be examined and any decayed teeth should be treated. Orthodontic treatment does not cause stains or caries as long as oral hygiene is provided. However, since the wires increase food retention, it is necessary to pay more attention to brushing. Because food residues accumulate between the brackets and in the area between the gingiva and the bracket, and tooth decay, permanent white spots and inflammations in the gums, bad breath may develop in the teeth that are not brushed adequately. For this reason, teeth should be brushed regularly after main and snack meals until all food residues are removed from the bottom/top/between of the braces. Orthodontic toothbrushes with shorter middle row bristles as toothbrushes are recommended to use interface brushes to clean the residues between the brackets after cleaning. Orthodontic brushes and interface brushes are sold in pharmacies (orthodontic and interface heads attached to motorized toothbrushes are also available). Mouthwash can also be used after brushing.
Brackets are adhered to the surface of the teeth in such a way that they do not damage the teeth when removing them after the treatment. However, hard foods cause the brackets to break. Therefore, during the treatment, food should be eaten in small bites. You should be careful not to make a tearing motion with your teeth, and you should consume core foods after removing the core. Acidic substances such as cola soda both cause tooth decay and dissolve the adhesive, causing the brackets to break. Therefore, it is definitely not recommended to be consumed. Tea, coffee and cigarettes are not harmful for the wires, but they cause yellowing on the teeth and the rubbers holding the wires and spoil the image.
Wisdom teeth do not interfere with treatment, but if there is no room for these teeth to erupt, it is preferred to be removed by surgical methods before, during or after treatment.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Damage Teeth?
Orthodontic treatment does not harm the teeth as long as oral hygiene is provided, but a shortening of the tooth roots (root resorption) may occur in some patients. If there is a serious shortening, the treatment can be terminated by the physician.
At the end of each orthodontic treatment, there is a tendency for the teeth to move and return to their original position at the beginning of the treatment. Therefore, as soon as active orthodontic treatment is finished, passive orthodontic treatment, “reinforcement treatment” should be started. In this treatment, either a fixed wire is attached to the inner side of the teeth or a reinforcing device is used that the patient can put on and take off. Your doctor will decide which one is right for you. Reinforcement therapy is just as important as active therapy.