Orthodontics for Adults

It has been widely known for 30 years that crooked or spaced (irregular) teeth in children can be corrected by braces (orthodontic treatment) in our community, however for the last 15 years the treatment is very common for adults also.

In fact, all the teeth in the mouth can be moved at any age- by applying pressure (forces) with various kinds of orthodontic appliances- and the positions of the teeth can be corrected. In other words, nobody has to go through life with irregular teeth anymore. Fantastic results can be achieved in adults when the dimension, directions and duration of the orthodontic pressure (force) are implemented without harming the surrounding tissues of the tooth root.

Upper teeth are lined up on the upper jawbone base and the lower teeth on the lower jawbone base. The precondition for the best fit of the upper and lower teeth together is the harmonious relationship of the upper and lower jawbone bases. In case of inharmonious relationship between upper and lower jawbone bases, the growth rate and direction of the upper and lower jawbone can be altered to achieve best fit by applying pressure in growing jaws while correcting the upper and the lower teeth during orthodontic treatment. Surgical methods can be implemented in adult subjects if the growth of the jaws is already completed. However, it’s not necessary to apply surgical interventions in conjunction with orthodontic treatment in every adult. Only if there is a severe inharmony of the the upper and lower jawbones resulting in inharmonious relation (closure) of the upper and the lower teeth, surgical interventions will be required. The best fit of the upper and the lower teeth at the end of the orthodontic treatment is also important for a stable and permanent treatment result.

While fixed orthodontic tools such as metal brackets (braces), ceramic brackets, lingual brackets which are attached to the tooth surfaces facing the oral cavity may be used in adults to correct the teeth, transparent plates (aligners) –that can be applied and removed by the subjects- have become very popular in recent years.

A widely held belief in our society regarding orthodontic treatment with transparent plates (aligners) is the teeth can be corrected (moved) by wearing them only during the night time. In fact, correction (movement) of the teeth is only possible when pressure (force) is applied continuously, in other words more than half of the day (more than 16 hours per day) and this principle is same for each orthodontic tool.

The type of orthodontic tool and the duration of use can only be determined by the severeness of the person’s orthodontic irregularity, available time for treatment, and his or her economic resources. The experience, ability, and vision of the orthodontic specialist who will carry out the treatment are also considered

Everybody deserves to have a beautiful smile, and healthy teeth.