Orthodontics; It is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of teeth and facial irregularities (malocclusion).
The word orthodontics consists of the Greek words ortho "proper" and odons "tooth". Although it literally means straight teeth, orthodontics also aims to correct developmental disorders of the face and jaws.
The main purpose of orthodontic treatment is a good bite. This means that properly aligned teeth are compatible with the teeth in the opposite jaw. Good closing; It makes biting, chewing and speaking easier. It helps to improve oral health and thus general health and increases the person's self-confidence. It is difficult to clean crooked teeth. Poor bite can cause abrasions on tooth surfaces, difficulties in functions such as chewing and speaking, and excessive stress on the bone and gum structures that support the teeth. If left untreated, many problems may become more serious over time and may require more complicated treatment in the future.
If the rules are followed, orthodontic treatment has no risks. All decayed teeth must be treated before treatment. From the beginning of treatment, teeth should be brushed very well and kept clean. Otherwise, stains or cavities may be encountered on the teeth when the brackets are removed.
A metallic element called nickel is used in ultra-elastic wires, stainless steel wires or some brackets. It is known that nickel can cause an allergic reaction on the skin (contact dermatitis). Cases where nickel causes contact dermatitis are generally seen when watches, jewelry and glasses come into contact with the skin. However, these allergic reactions in the mouth are very rare during orthodontic treatment. If so, this situation can be solved by using alternative materials that do not contain nickel. These are:
Ceramic brackets
Polycarbonate or plastic brackets
Nickel-free steel brackets
Titanium brackets
They are gold-plated brackets.
Orthodontic treatment continues until the desired result is achieved. While active orthodontic treatment can last between one and four years, it ends in an average of two years. Some individuals seek treatment more quickly than others due to their biological makeup. � or may respond later. Additionally, preventive and early treatments may only last a few months. The appliances are adjusted periodically during the treatment process.
Factors affecting the treatment duration can be listed as follows:
-Severity of the problem
-Growth of facial and jaw structures
-Health of teeth, gums and the jawbone that supports them
-Cooperation of the individual in treatment
1. Fixed orthodontic devices
The most common method used by orthodontists in treatment is to place brackets on the teeth. The brackets are bonded to the teeth with a special material. Force is applied to the teeth with the wires placed on them, thus ensuring that the teeth move and align properly.
Today, there are various types of brackets made of metal or tooth-colored materials. It is usually placed on the front surfaces of the teeth, but there are also types placed on the back surfaces of the teeth.
2. Removable appliances
Removable appliances are appliances that are held in the mouth with the help of clasps, are used without being glued to the teeth, and can be easily put on and removed by the patient. They can be used in mild crowding, some jaw expansion procedures, simple tooth movements, as a space maintainer or as a reinforcement appliance.
3. Extraoral appliances
These appliances are orthodontic treatment equipment that receive support from outside the mouth. They can be used both to move the teeth and to direct the development of the jaws.
4. Functional appliances
Functional appliances help ensure a proper relationship by moving the teeth and jaws with the forces created by using the muscle movements that occur during the patient's functions such as speaking, eating and swallowing. There are removable types as well as types that are fixed to the teeth.
5. Transparent aligners
They can be used in mild orthodontic disorders or to maintain the condition achieved after active orthodontic treatment. They are transparent plaques that can be put on and removed by the patient.
The orthodontist uses the above-mentioned plates in ordering the teeth and jaws. can benefit from many additional devices. However, not every type of appliance is suitable for every orthodontic problem. The orthodontist evaluates the jaw and teeth through many analyses, creates a treatment plan suitable for the patient, determines the goals and recommends the most appropriate way for this purpose. In the past, it was believed that orthodontic treatment was only for children. Today, approximately thirty percent of orthodontic patients are adults. A healthy bite is as important at age 60 as it is at age 16. Age is not a criterion to be evaluated for orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age.
AAO (American Association of Orthodontics) recommends that children undergo orthodontic check-ups before the age of 7. At this age, the orthodontist/orthodontist can detect problems in jaw and tooth development while the child still has milk teeth in his mouth. It is important to detect the abnormal situation early because some orthodontic problems are much easier to treat when diagnosed early. The likelihood of complex and costly treatment may decrease in the future. Active treatment for many orthodontic patients begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Skeletal disorders can be resolved before the end of the child's growth period.
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