Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with correcting jaw and tooth misalignments using removable and fixed appliances. In addition to ensuring properly aligned teeth, it enhances aesthetics and function, contributing to an improved quality of life for individuals.

Orthodontic treatment not only improves the health of your teeth but also enhances your smile.

It is also possible to treat skeletal jaw disorders (such as an overdeveloped lower jaw) with orthodontic treatments. However, for this, treatment should begin before children complete their growth phase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics

What does jaw orthopedics mean?

Jaw orthopedics is a branch of orthodontics that aims to correct the misalignment of the jaws with respect to the face or each other using specialized appliances. For example, lower jaw prognathism, a retruded lower jaw (Class II), or forward displacement of the upper jaw can be corrected with orthopedic treatment at an early age.

Correcting only the teeth is achieved through orthodontic treatment. However, in most cases, orthopedic and orthodontic treatments are carried out together.

What is orthognathic surgery?

Orthodontic or orthopedic treatments can align the teeth properly and partially correct inter-jaw relationships. However, in some cases, orthodontic treatment alone is insufficient. In such situations, a maxillofacial surgeon collaborates with an orthodontist to correct severe anomalies through surgical methods.

The aesthetic results obtained in a short period are highly successful, and today, orthognathic surgery treatments are becoming increasingly popular.

How do teeth move during orthodontic treatment?

When force is applied to a tooth using a wire, bracket, or special elastic bands, movement occurs in the direction of the force. In the area where the tooth moves, temporary bone resorption occurs, while new bone formation takes place in the opposite direction. As a result, the repositioned teeth settle into a new bone structure.

Is it possible for orthodontic treatment to be less noticeable?

Today, it is possible to avoid the most concerning aspect of orthodontic treatment—the visibility of braces—by using less noticeable materials. The appliances attached to the front surfaces of the teeth can be metal-colored, white, or tooth-colored. In some cases, they can even be placed on the back surfaces of the teeth, making them completely invisible from the outside.