Orthodontics
Orthodontics is one of the branches of dentistry with the most patient applications. This branch deals with the diagnosis and treatment of jaw, tooth and facial disorders. Orthodontic treatments are performed by people who have received 5 years of dental education and have completed at least 4 years of orthodontic training. These people are called orthodontists.
Orthodontists aim to have the person’s jawbone and teeth in the right place and position. They correct the crowding in the teeth and contribute a lot to the oral and dental health of the person. Orthodontic treatments provide easier and more effective cleaning of the area by removing the crowding. In this way, caries and gum diseases are prevented. In addition, these procedures are also important from an aesthetic point of view.
The most important target group in orthodontic treatment is children, because with the treatments to be applied at an early age, the crowding in the teeth is eliminated and the jaw disorders are corrected. Dentist check-ups should start with the emergence of the baby teeth of the children and appropriate treatments should be determined for the detected problems.
What Are the Causes of Orthodontic Disorders?
Behaviors that occur in childhood, such as thumb sucking or using a pacifier for a long time, may be the beginning of orthodontic disorders. In addition, mouth breathing, clenching, misplaced teeth, crowding or genetic predispositions caused by the compression of the anterior teeth by wisdom teeth are other causes of orthodontic disorders.
How Are Orthodontic Disorders Treated?
Generally, the patient’s age determines the treatment program. For example, if the patient is in adolescence and there is a situation where the lower-upper jaw structure is behind, treatment is performed with orthodontic techniques. If the patient is an adult, the treatment of skeletal disorders is carried out in cooperation with orthodontics and surgery. In addition, for those who use a lot of pacifiers or bottles during infancy and childhood, or those who suck their fingers, the use of a simple appliance can prevent disorders that may occur.
One of the most curious subjects is how the teeth move during the treatment. A force is applied with brackets and wires on the tooth by the specialist, and thus a movement occurs in the direction of the force. There is a destruction of the bone tissue of the moving tooth, but this is temporary. In the opposite direction of the movement, new bone tissue is made. In this way, the teeth that take their new places are also seated in a new bone socket.
Are Orthodontic Treatments Necessary?
People who experience aesthetic anxiety usually resort to these treatment methods. However, tooth crowding causes many problems other than aesthetics. For example; May cause distortion effect of chewing and speaking functions.
It is more difficult to provide oral care with crooked teeth. Therefore, caries formation is faster. Plaque accumulation increases, leading to gingival recession and gingival diseases occur.
Due to the crowding in the teeth, the upper and lower teeth cannot close normally and the muscles cannot be transmitted normally to the articular. This causes articular problems.
What Should Be Considered During the Orthodontic Treatment Process?
The first of the two most important things in the treatment process is the appointment days and the fulfillment of the responsibilities given by the doctor. The second is regular and correct oral care. After each meal, the teeth should be brushed as directed by the orthodontist. Interdental/proxy brushes and dental floss should be used and these procedures should be applied at least once a day. Both of the mentioned issues are necessary for the success of the treatment.
Another issue to be considered is the consumption of stiff foods. The person should eat such foods by breaking them into small pieces. In addition, behaviors such as trying to break shell or core foods with the help of teeth should be avoided.