It is a branch of dentistry that regulates crooked teeth and incompatible jaw relationships with the help of a number of apparatus. Dentists who undertake orthodontic treatment are called orthodontists. Orthodontic treatment is applied during the primary teeth period, eliminating problems that arise due to habits such as thumb sucking and lip biting. With orthodontic treatment, permanent defects in the skeletal structure of the jaw are prevented. The mixed dentition period is also within the scope of orthodontics. During this period, both milk teeth and permanent teeth are in the mouth. If milk teeth are lost early and cannot guide the permanent teeth coming from underneath, space shortages occur. Orthodontics deals with eliminating these stenosis. At the same time, jaw development continues during this period. Interjaw incompatibility, which occurs as a result of the development of the lower and upper jaw not being compatible with each other, is also within the scope of orthodontics. During the period of permanent teeth, orthodontics deals with the correction of disorders in the tooth rows. The treatment of irregularities that occur due to gum diseases and the treatment of irregularities that occur due to congenitally missing or subsequently lost teeth are also within the scope of orthodontics.
Fixed Orthodontic Treatment
Fixed orthodontic treatment, as the name suggests, is orthodontic treatment in which fixed appliances that the patient cannot remove are used. In fixed orthodontic treatment, a corrugated metal called a bracket (porcelain brackets are also used today) is bonded to the teeth. A wire passes through this groove. This wire is changed every 4-6 weeks.
Removable Orthodontic Treatment
Removable orthodontic treatment is an orthodontic treatment that uses appliances that the patient can put on and remove himself. Removable orthodontic treatment is mostly applied to children between the ages of 6-12. In some cases, both fixed and removable orthodontic treatment methods may need to be applied.
THINGS TO CONSIDER DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Before starting orthodontic treatment, all oral caries and gum diseases should be treated. Regardless of the form of fixed orthodontic treatment or removable orthodontic treatment, oral hygiene should be taken into consideration during orthodontic treatment. If a removable orthodontic appliance is used, the appliance should be removed and the teeth should be brushed after meals. Equal attention should be paid to the hygiene of the orthodontic appliance.
Brackets used in fixed orthodontic treatment are very suitable areas for the accumulation of food residues. For this reason, food residues between brackets and wires are carefully cleaned by using orthodontic toothbrushes after meals. If oral hygiene is not taken into consideration, it is inevitable for caries and gum problems to occur during orthodontic treatment.
Apples, pears, olives, cherries, etc. should be bitten with the front teeth as they may damage the fixed brackets and wires and cause the treatment to be prolonged. Foods with seeds should be eaten by removing their seeds.
Acidic drinks should not be used, or should be used very little, as they will damage the teeth on which orthodontic brackets are used, cause them to decay more quickly and weaken the enamel.
Teeth undergoing orthodontic treatment are more sensitive as they are in motion. Mild pain may occur in very hard biting and hard chewing, these should be taken into consideration.
Orthodontic treatment is a long-term treatment and monthly checks are required. For this reason, the person should be willing for orthodontic treatment and should not miss his appointments. If any breakage, rupture or dislocation occurs in the orthodontic appliance used, it is necessary to consult an orthodontist without wasting time, as the treatment may be negatively affected.
Reinforcement therapy is very important in orthodontic treatment. Reinforcement treatment must be followed in order to maintain the position of the teeth.
REINFORCEMENT
When your orthodontic treatment is completed, your brackets are removed and the reinforcement phase of your treatment begins. The average duration of the consolidation phase is between 12-24 months. However, in some special cases, lifelong reinforcement may be required. You will be informed about this at the beginning of the treatment. It should be known that any problems that may occur during the consolidation phase will negatively affect the treatment results, and the rules at this stage should be strictly followed.
There are 2 options in the reinforcement phase:
Fixed Reinforcement
Fixed appliances are used. Immediately after the brackets are removed at the end of the treatment, your orthodontist attaches wires to the back of your lower and upper jaw front teeth. This wire will remain on your teeth until the end of a fixed period of time.
Moving Reinforcement
Movable apparatus is used. These appliances must be worn constantly throughout the day and removed when eating. There are two types of removable appliances: Hawley appliances, which have a retaining wire piece in front and are made in the desired color, and Essix appliances, which are transparent. Before brushing the teeth, you should remove the appliance and brush it before putting it back on. The reinforcement appliance is made of an invisible, transparent material called “essix plate” and is prepared to ensure that the position of the teeth is fixed.
At the end of orthodontic treatment, the duration of use of the Essix reinforcement appliance is determined by the orthodontist. It is the responsibility of the patient to use the reinforcement appliance completely and correctly during this period. However, any questions during use should be consulted with the orthodontist. When the reinforcement appliance is not used properly, the teeth return to their previous distorted positions. Such a situation is outside the responsibility of the orthodontist. The reinforcement appliance is included in the orthodontic treatment. .If it is broken or lost before the end of its life, it must be remade.
Reinforcement appliances are removed while eating. However, there is no need to remove them while drinking. When the reinforcement appliances are removed from the mouth, they are stored in a special box provided by the orthodontist. They can be stored in pockets, bags, etc. It should not be kept inside or on a napkin.
Before placing the reinforcement appliance on the teeth, the teeth should be brushed very well and cleaned using dental floss. While cleaning the reinforcement appliance, the water flowing from the tap should not be hot. The reinforcement appliances should be cleaned only with soap and water. No solution or disinfectant agent other than water should be used. Using toothpaste is a reinforcement tool. It can dull the appliance and make it brittle.
Reinforcement appliances should not be kept on a radiator, exposed to direct sunlight, or left close to any heat source. If there is any loosening or other problem in the reinforcement appliance during use, you should immediately consult an orthodontist and report the situation.