Orthodontics is specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating dental irregularities, misalignment and discrepancies between the jaws. It is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance and functions of the teeth.
At Dr. Tosun Dental Clinic we believe everyone deserves the confidence and quality of life that comes with a healthy beautiful smile and we believe a smile can change lives. We are passionate about delivering outstanding orthodontic services to our patients through great communication and compassion. Dr. Tosun is a well renowned respected Orthodontist and he and his team use latest technology and modern methods to deliver exceptional smiles that change lives.
In our clinic, we provide ideal orthodontic solutions for both children and adults through a wide range of techniques such as:
Who should see an orthodontist?
Anyone at any age having a bad bite and/or esthetic concerns can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Today orthodontists work closely with other dental and medical specialists such as cosmetic and restorative dentists, implantologists, periodontist, endodontists or maxillofacial surgeons to get benefit from each speciality. This is called Interdisciplinary Treatment Approach. At Dr Tosun Dental Clinic we work as a team to deliver the best possible treatment outcome for our patients. In all our treatment approaches we go extra mile to make our patients’ treatment experiences easy and comfortable. We always put our patients first and include them in their treatment planning process.
What is the best age for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment could be accomplished at any age if the teeth and the jaw bones are healthy. However, two growth periods of life are critical to getting the fastest and best outcome from orthodontic treatment. The first one is age 7 -8 when permanent incisors start erupting while baby teeth are still in place. In this stage, nature provides spaces for the larger permanent teeth to be accommodated on the dental arches. Sometimes this natural process does not work as good as it should and certain functional orthodontic problems such as underbite, posterior cross bite, open bite etc. may be observed. These problems could be easily solved in this age with great success in a matter of few months. Delaying the correction of these problems may worsen the situation. Adolescence is the second period of life where dental arches and jaws grow at a highly rapid pace. In this stage, a comprehensive orthodontic treatment will be relatively fast and successful. In addition, adolescents understand the value of orthodontic treatment and are also compliant. This stage is also critical to correct functional or skeletal (jaw bones related) orthodontic and orthopedic problems successfully. However, orthodontic treatment in adults at any age can be accomplished with success thank to advanced orthodontic techniques such as Invisalign Clear Aligners or Incognito Lingual Braces.
How does the orthodontic treatment start?
The journey of your orthodontic treatment starts with a consultation with an orthodontist. Following a clinical examination, your orthodontist will take your records to prepare a customized treatment plan for you. Usually, these are two X rays, your dental and smile photos, and digital impressions. Following the initial planning, your orthodontist will discuss with you the possible treatment options for the final treatment plan before ordering your clear aligners or lingual braces. Metal or ceramic braces could be placed on top and bottom teeth in the same session.
Prior to orthodontic treatment is important that your oral hygiene is good with no gum bleeding and/or tooth decay. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean with a toothbrush or dental floss thus, regular visits to a dentist and to a dental hygienist before and during your orthodontic treatment is highly recommended to avoid any gum inflammation and/or tooth decay.
At what age should my child be seen by an orthodontist?
We highly recommend that your child be evaluated by age 7. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take early corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later.
Why should children have an orthodontic screening before all of the permanent teeth are in?
By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that the dentist or orthodontist can identify current problems, anticipate future problems and alleviate parents’ concerns if all seems normal. The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in by age 7 and cross-bites, crowding and developing injury-prone dental protrusions can be evaluated.
Some signs or habits that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination are:
- crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth,
- mouth breathing, snoring,
- grinding teeth
- finger sucking,
- jaws that shift or make sounds,
- teeth that meet abnormally or not at all, and jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.
- early or late loss of baby teeth,
- difficulty in chewing or biting,
What are the benefits of early treatment?
Clearly, there is a great advantage in treating many orthodontic problems at an early age:
They and their peers know the eventual outcome and they’re proud of their braces.
- it reduces treatment time in adolescent years.
- it reduces the need for patient cooperation.
- it reduces the need for extraction of permanent teeth.
and 1/5 of patients in our practice do not even need a phase II treatment. An added plus is that most children don’t need to be urged into treatment; they are curious and usually welcome braces.
The orthodontist’s goal is to balance and harmonize the patient’s growth at this very important early age. Having nicely aligned teeth is a small yet important part of the evaluation of a successfully treated case; however, the true measure of success is reflected in the total dentofacial balance achieved. With early treatment this balance is most often dramatically improved.
Successful orthodontic care is a wise investment. It may reduce the cost of future dental care and it can contribute to comfort, good health, improved appearance and enhances self-esteem. The psychological benefits of orthodontic treatment are lifelong and invaluable. The orthodontic specialist shapes health—not just teeth. There is a difference.
Does everyone need early treatment?
Absolutely not! Only certain bites require early intervention. All others can wait until most if not all their permanent teeth erupt.
How long will orthodontic treatment take?
In general, active treatment time with braces ranges from one to two years. Early treatment procedures may take only a few months. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient’s jaws and face, the cooperation of the patient and the severity of the problem. Mild problems usually require less time and some individuals respond faster to treatment than others. Proper use of rubber bands, if prescribed by the orthodontist, contributes to completing treatment as scheduled. While orthodontic treatment requires a time commitment, patients are rewarded with healthy teeth, proper jaw alignment and a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
Why are retainers needed after orthodontic treatment?
After braces are removed, the teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime, otherwise your teeth may move toward their original positions and the benefit of wearing your braces will be lost. Our orthodontist will determine the type needed and how long you need to wear your retainer. Time varies with each patient. Some people may need retainers for an extended period of time in order to eliminate shifting of the teeth. In some cases, permanent retention may be necessary. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!
Will my child’s tooth alignment change later?
Studies have shown that as people age, their teeth may shift. This variable pattern of gradual shifting, called “maturational change”, probably slows down after the early 20s, but still continues to a degree throughout life for most people. Even children whose teeth developed into ideal alignment and bite without treatment may develop orthodontic problems as adults. The most common maturational change is crowding of the lower front teeth. Clenching or griding teeth at night, biting nails, lips or cheeks may contribute to this process. Wearing retainers as instructed after orthodontic treatment will stabilize the correction. Beyond the period of full-time retainer wear, nighttime retainer wear can prevent maturational shifting of the teeth.
Can orthodontic treatment do for adults what it does for children?
Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. Many orthodontic problems can be corrected as easily and as well for adults as children. Orthodontic forces move the teeth in the same way for both a 75-year-old adult and a 12-year-old child. Complicating factors, such as lack of jaw growth, may create special treatment planning needs for the adult.
How does adult treatment differ from that of children and adolescents?
Adults are not growing and may have experienced some breakdown or loss of their teeth and bone that supports the teeth. Orthodontic treatment may then be only a part of the patient’s overall treatment plan. Close coordination may be required between orthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist, endodontist and family dentist to assure that a complicated adult orthodontic problem is managed well and complements all other areas of the patient’s treatment needs.
Do teeth with braces need special care?
Since Invisalign Clear Aligners are removable, keeping the oral hygiene is not a problem anymore.
Patients with braces must be careful to avoid hard and sticky foods. They must not chew on pens or fingernails because chewing on hard things can damage the braces. Damaged braces will almost always cause treatment to take longer and will require extra trips to the orthodontist’s office.
Keeping the teeth and braces clean requires more precision and time and must be done every day if the teeth and gums are to be healthy during and after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning.
We teach our patients how to best care for their teeth, gums and braces during treatment and how often to brush, floss and suggest other cleaning aids that might help them maintain good dental health.
Are there less noticeable braces?
Today’s braces are generally less noticeable than those of the past. Invisalign Clear Aligners are great options for adults as well as teens who need orthodontic treatment as they are almost invisible. Ceramic braces combined with tooth-colored wires and clear ligature elastics are less noticable and aesthetic. Today’s wires are cutting edge technology materials that exert a steady, gentle pressure on the teeth, so that the tooth-moving process may be faster and more comfortable for patients.
What are the different types of braces?
Today Invisalign Clear Aligners, ceramic and stainless steel are the most commonly used brace materials. Technically there are no major differences between these three types of braces. Children and adolescents enjoy changing the appearance of their braces with colored ligatures at successive appointments.
