What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a dental specialty that diagnoses, monitors, prevents, and treats misaligned and crowded teeth and jaw relationship problems.
Why Do Orthodontic Problems Occur and How Are They Treated?
Disorders such as the lower jaw being positioned too far forward or backward are evaluated by considering the patient’s age, and the appropriate treatment method is determined accordingly. If the patient is in adolescence and there is underdevelopment of the upper and/or lower jaw, treatment with orthodontic techniques is possible. If the patient is an adult, skeletal deformities are treated through cooperation between orthodontics and surgery.
Jaw incompatibilities may also be observed due to functional disorders, such as mouth breathing. In individuals who breathe through the mouth, the upper jaw remains narrow and develops a V-shaped form. Prolonged use of bottles and pacifiers, as well as habits such as thumb sucking and nail biting, can lead to orthodontic problems. These habits should be treated as early as possible, as preventing them at a young age is crucial for proper skeletal development.
Conditions such as an abnormally large tongue structure or existing gaps from extracted teeth can also cause spacing between teeth. If the jawbone is small and the teeth are large, the teeth cannot fit properly into the jaw, resulting in crowding. Early or late loss of primary (baby) teeth can also lead to crooked teeth. When a primary tooth is lost prematurely, an adjacent permanent tooth may drift into that space. As a result, the teeth that are supposed to erupt there cannot find sufficient space, causing crowding.
How Necessary Is Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is not only for aesthetic concerns; it also aims to prevent potential future gum diseases, avoid jaw joint problems, ensure proper chewing function, and correct speech disorders.
Depending on the existing orthodontic problem, treatment methods may include removable appliances, functional appliances, and fixed appliances. Simple orthodontic problems that are not in advanced stages can often be resolved with removable elastic appliances that the patient can put on and take off.
After the completion of primary orthodontic treatments, retention therapy is extremely important to prevent relapse and deterioration. During this phase, different passive appliances may be used. The field of orthodontics works in continuous cooperation with other dental specialties.
