Orthodontics (Braces & Aligners)

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the field that covers the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and jaw irregularities. Crowded teeth not only cause cosmetic concerns, speech disorders, and difficulties in biting and chewing, but also pose significant risks to dental health. Therefore, orthodontic treatments are important not only for aesthetics, but also for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing potential oral and dental diseases.

Early diagnosis and treatment of crowded teeth lead to much more successful results. For this reason, children aged 6–7 who show signs of irregular dentition should be examined by an orthodontist. Since orthodontic treatments are long-term and important processes, effective communication between doctor and patient plays a crucial role. On average, orthodontic treatment lasts about 1.5 to 2 years, and during this time the patient must attend check-ups every 4 to 6 weeks.

Orthodontic Treatment Methods

Braces

Braces are appliances used to correct misaligned teeth. They consist of brackets bonded to the teeth and an archwire running through them, applying gentle force to move the teeth into proper alignment. Brackets come in three main types: metal, gold, and porcelain.

• Metal brackets are the most common and durable.

• Porcelain brackets are more aesthetic and generally preferred by adults.

• Gold brackets are less likely to cause allergies and easier to remove, but they are more expensive than other options.

Invisalign

The Invisalign system is a patented method that uses nearly invisible, removable aligners produced specifically for each patient. These aligners are replaced every two weeks with the next in the series, gradually shifting the teeth until the desired alignment is achieved.

Average treatment time: about 1–1.5 years, depending on the individual.

Advantages of Invisalign:

• Simple and comfortable to use

• Transparent, almost invisible, with a more aesthetic appearance compared to metal braces

• Can be removed at any time, allowing easy tooth brushing and oral hygiene

• Does not cause irritation inside the mouth

Lingual Orthodontics

Lingual orthodontics involves placing the brackets and archwires on the inner (lingual) surfaces of the teeth instead of the front surfaces. The biggest advantage of this method is that the braces are completely hidden from view, making them invisible from the outside.