WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?
Orthodontics means "Proper Tooth" in Latin. It is generally referred to as "orthodontics and maxillofacial orthopedics" in the world. The reason for this is that it is a branch of science that studies not only teeth, but also teeth and jaw-face relations. In order to become an orthodontist, it is necessary to take a 4-year orthodontic education after finishing a 5-year dental faculty. The physician who completes this training process deserves the title of "orthodontist".

Generally, people feel the need to consult orthodontists when they become aware of irregularities, irregularities in their teeth or their children's teeth or when they are not satisfied with their appearance. However, many of these disorders can be prevented as a result of regular checks starting at a young age. Thanks to early interventions and adequate oral and dental health education in conscious societies, tooth loss and tooth crowding have decreased significantly in advanced ages. In our country, an intense effort is still being made to establish this awareness.

The ability of our teeth and jaws to function with each other in the right positions is a very important factor affecting all our respiratory and chewing functions. This is where orthodontics comes into play and helps us to perform these functions at an optimum level. Orthodontists make great efforts to properly function our teeth and jaws during treatment. Tens of records taken before the treatment (measurements, photographs, chin and face x-rays, even computed tomography when necessary) are analyzed very carefully in order to create a treatment plan and the correct treatment plan is tried to be created. The correct treatment plan accounts for half the treatment; For this reason, orthodontists who work properly attach great importance to this phase. Necessary treatment is applied using more intelligently planned mechanics. The treatment period lasts between 1 year and 4 years depending on the severity of the case. Usually the treatment period is 2 years.

The main devices used in orthodontics are brackets and wires. In addition, many more oral and extra-oral devices are used. There are many types of brackets that are mainly used and attached to each tooth. These differences are divided into two as mechanical and aesthetic. The reason for the mechanical differences is as follows; Many treatment techniques and philosophies have emerged since orthodontics was first applied. As a result, there are dozens of different types of brackets that show different mechanical properties. Generally, each orthodontist has one or more techniques that he adopts and chooses the brackets he uses according to his system. Aesthetically, there are braces in tooth color and gold color preferred by adults. Again, they differ according to the material they are made of and the technical features they contain. Thanks to the advancing technology, great progress has been made in the wires used in orthodontics. The latest shape memory and heat sensitive wires play a major role in shortening the treatment time. Again, white colored ones coated with Teflon for aesthetic purposes are available in the market. However, since their technical features are still not sufficient, they are not preferred among orthodontists.