Orthodontics is a specialty that aims at:

- Preventing the occurrence of disorders in the teeth-jaw-face region,

- Stopping and treating existing disorders,

- Providing good aesthetics and function.

 

Orthodontic dental corrections can be made at any age. However, if there are problems involving the jaws, an examination is required during childhood to benefit from growth and development.

Thanks to preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatments that can be applied at an early age, disorders that may require comprehensive treatments in the future can be prevented with simpler interventions.

Jaw disorders, if not treated in the early period, can be corrected with orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery after approximately 18 years of age.

 

**What Are the Mandatory Rules to Follow in Orthodontic Treatment?**

There are mandatory rules in orthodontic treatment. Parents should carefully monitor their children during the treatment period. These rules are:

- Before starting orthodontic treatment, decayed teeth should be treated, and oral hygiene should be fully ensured.

- Once the treatment has started, regular brushing of the teeth is mandatory. In fixed appliances, dental plaque settles very quickly around the brackets attached to the teeth, and cavities can form in the form of staining. This should not be allowed.

- After the dentist starts the treatment, they usually see the patient once a month. Therefore, in orthodontic treatment, the major responsibility falls on the children. Therefore, rather than the family's coercion, the children themselves should have a desire for treatment.

- At certain times of the treatment, the dentist may give the patient appliances that need to be used, and the patient should be careful about using them.

- Appointments should not be missed.

- If there are breakages or detachments in the appliances, the treatment can be interrupted, and the treatment period can be extended. In such cases, the dentist should be informed immediately.

- There should be no reluctance in the reinforcement treatment to be done after the treatment is completed.

 

**What is Orthognathic Surgery?**

In some more severe cases where the relationships between the jaws cannot be corrected with orthodontic or orthopedic treatment alone, a maxillofacial surgeon can work together with the orthodontist to correct the anomaly with surgical methods. The results obtained in a very short time are successful, and orthognathic surgery is becoming increasingly popular nowadays.

 

**What is Reinforcement Treatment?**

Orthodontic treatment lasts approximately 2-3 years. Immediately after the teeth are straightened, the surrounding structures have not yet adapted to the new position of the teeth. Therefore, when the appliances are removed, the teeth can return to their old positions. To prevent this, fixed or removable appliances are needed to stabilize the teeth in their positions. This final phase of treatment is called reinforcement treatment, and it is mandatory to take the necessary care of the teeth during this period.