Orthodontic Treatment in Adults
Although it is known that orthodontic treatments are usually performed during the childhood and youth years, orthodontic treatments have been applied very successfully in adults and older ages with the knowledge of the public and the advancement of technology in recent years.
There are a few points to consider in orthodontic applications in adult patients:
The patient should not have a jaw problem, only a problem with his teeth. Because we can treat jaw anomalies by directing the growth potential of the patient. Since growth has completely stopped in an adult patient who is determined to be 18 years or older in medicine, the problems existing in the jaws can only be treated with orthognathic-surgical interventions.
To treat dental problems present in adult patients, the dental support tissues (periodontium) must be healthy. Because gingival recession in advanced ages, and accordingly, melting of the alveolar bone can be observed. In order to detect the presence of such a problem, films that show all teeth and jaw bones together, which we call panoramic radiography, are used. If there is a problem in the tissues adjacent to the tooth, help from a periodontologist (gingival specialist) may be sought.
The wires applied to adult patients are softer and the forces are lighter. Because alveolar bones are harder and less flexible than children. This does not prevent the success of the treatment. The orthodontist can achieve the goals he has set, as in a child patient, but the treatment period may take a little longer. It is also a fact that adult patients are more careful about oral hygiene and pay more attention to the doctor’s warnings so that the treatment will end as soon as possible. In this case, it is a factor that shortens the treatment time. Because we, in pediatric patients, usually lose time on oral hygiene and tire fitting.
Especially thanks to the new orthodontic materials that have been released recently, very satisfactory results can be obtained in adult patients. Since the brackets attached to the teeth can now be produced both very small and made of tooth-colored materials, they are not a remarkable issue in the external appearance of the patients during the treatment.
Despite this, there are many adult patients who need orthodontic treatment in our country, but these people do not want to be treated due to aesthetic concerns. Many of these patients are treated by having their crooked teeth removed, or by having veneers or prostheses. However, with orthodontic treatment, teeth can be corrected by preserving their natural structure, and tooth and gum diseases can be prevented.
The best prosthesis is the person’s own tissue, his own tooth. Therefore, in many cases where the teeth will be cut and reduced and porcelain veneers will be applied, orthodontic treatment comes to the rescue of a healthy aesthetic, and can give the person a beautiful smile and a healthier appearance with “his own teeth” for the rest of his life.
Achieving a beautiful smile with orthodontic treatment increases self-confidence and communication with the environment in adults, which positively affects the success in business life.
Some adults think they will look childish if they wear braces. Honestly, we don’t care how we look as long as we put on the braces, because we will live with them for a year or two. However, we will be able to laugh freely with our own healthy and non-prosthetic teeth.
Don’t forget!!! Currently, many adult patients in the world can live and laugh without caring about what is thought from the outside about their image.
Lingual Orthodontic Treatment
Another form of treatment that is developing today is the “brackets” are attached to the inner surfaces of the teeth. Lingual Orthodontics ” is. Special brackets and wires used in lingual orthodontics are adhered to the inner surfaces of the teeth instead of the visible surfaces, so that no one except you and your doctor notices that you are being treated. The lingual orthodontic treatment technique has certain limitations, advantages and disadvantages. Your orthodontist will inform you about this after your examination.
Invisaline
In some simple cases, crowds are corrected with the use of transparent molds without using brackets. It is necessary to wear these patient-specific molds, which will be changed every two weeks, for approximately 15-20 hours a day. Each treatment requires an average of 60 pairs (lower-upper jaw) different corrective molds. The duration of treatment varies between 6 months and 24 months depending on the case.
Orthognathic Surgical Treatment
In short, orthognathic surgery is the surgery performed to create a more aesthetic appearance on the face.
Proper alignment of teeth is possible with orthodontic treatments. However, abnormal conditions in the jaws cannot be corrected in adult patients and orthodontic treatment is insufficient. In such cases, a maxillofacial surgeon or a plastic surgeon and your orthodontist can work together to correct this severe anomaly.
If you have a jaw anomaly and are over 18-20 years old, first get examined by an orthodontist. Your orthodontist will inform you about the treatment. You will first undergo an orthodontic treatment by wearing a pre-surgical bracket. The duration of this treatment is between 6-12 depending on your anomaly. As soon as the desired tooth relationship is achieved, your orthodontist will refer you to a maxillofacial surgery or plastic surgery.
Your surgery takes place under general anesthesia and in a full-fledged hospital. Your braces are not removed during the surgery and the jaws are fixed with the elastics attached to your braces during the recovery period. After the recovery period, your orthodontic treatment will continue for approximately 6 months.
The aesthetic result obtained in a very short time is successful and today orthognathic surgery is becoming more and more common.
