What is Braces?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that includes the diagnosis and treatment of oral and facial anomalies originating from teeth and surrounding tissues. Braces treatment is performed by orthodontics and includes the process of bringing the teeth and jaw into harmony in three dimensions. Braces treatment is also called orthodontic treatment. Thanks to orthodontic treatment, a beautiful smile, improved oral and dental health and a better quality of life can be achieved for people of all ages.

How is braces treatment done?

Braces work on the principle of applying constant force in the desired direction for a certain time. If the applied force is too much, it can damage the tooth and the tissues surrounding the tooth.

The desired position of the teeth can only be achieved with continuous and light pressure. Apparatuses that adhere to the teeth and have holes on which the wires can pass are called brackets. Since the brackets are attached to the teeth, they contribute to 24-hour treatment. Brackets can be called handles for guiding the teeth correctly. The wire attached to the brackets applies a certain force to the teeth to return them to their normal state. Thus, the teeth are brought to the desired position over time.

The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to move the teeth within the bone. It is not possible for this movement to happen in a few days. It is expected that the teeth will move within the bone by 1 or 2 mm per month. At some stages of treatment, patients may be asked to use elastic agents. These tires are simple tires that one can change by themselves every day. They help direct the teeth to the desired point.

Thanks to modern treatment techniques, desired results can be achieved with shorter and less frequent appointments. In addition, patients are offered treatment options such as metal, ceramic and glass brackets, which have various advantages over each other.

When is braces treatment done?

​The recommendation of the International Orthodontic Association recommends that all children aged 7 years undergo an orthodontic check-up. In this way, developmental problems can be identified at an early stage and conditions requiring preventive intervention such as placeholders can be diagnosed. Generally, treatment is not started before the age of 10-12. Although no treatment is done at the first appointment, the examination and x-rays taken are very valuable for subsequent appointments in terms of monitoring the growth and development. For this reason, it is very important to have the first examination as early as 7 years of age. Because in this age period, there is still a great growth and development potential in the face area.

Orthodontic treatment in adults

Orthodontic treatment in adults is possible at any age. It is never too late to experience the positive aspects of having a beautiful smile. In adults, there may be displacements of other teeth or previous irregularities due to tooth extraction. All these problems can be easily solved with orthodontic treatment and sometimes with the cooperation of other branches of dentistry. With the developing technology in recent years, its easy application in adults has resulted in an increase in the use of braces.

What should be considered in braces treatment?

Wire treatment is a process that takes a long time, requires patience and needs attention. The orthodontist should explain the necessary information and treatment process to the patient in detail, and the patient should follow what the doctor says.Otherwise, you may not get the result you want at the end of this process. After the braces are inserted, you may feel pain for a while. However, if the pain continues, you should see your doctor.

Some foods and beverages should be avoided during the treatment. Among these, there are hard foods such as apples, pears, the hard side of bread, chips and nuts. Sticky foods such as jelly beans, Turkish delight, caramel chocolate, chewing gum, alcoholic and carbonated beverages can displace the brackets in your teeth and leave you in a difficult situation during the treatment. It is necessary to make your food choices in favor of soft, juicy and easily decomposable foods in order not to damage the braces. Those who play sports, those who are active in fields such as football and basketball should take a break from sports for a while, considering the possibility of a blow while using braces.

Braces care

It is important to avoid using a hard brush and brushing with pressure while brushing your teeth so that the brackets are not damaged during braces treatment. For this reason, it is recommended to use a soft brush and brush it with light movements. Using interdental brushes to clean between the brackets will help. Single-end hardened dental floss can also be used for the same purpose.

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