Orthodontics (Braces and Clear Aligners)

What Is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontics is the field of dentistry that diagnoses and corrects crowded teeth, gaps between teeth and misaligned bites. During treatment, light and carefully controlled forces are applied to the teeth, allowing them to move slowly and safely through the jawbone into a better position. Tooth movement is a biological process: the bone remodels on the side where force is applied, and the tooth is carried gradually into its new place.

Well-aligned teeth are about far more than the look of your smile. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, which makes tooth decay and gum inflammation more likely, while bite problems can gradually affect chewing, speech and the jaw joint.

Heredity plays an important role in how tooth and jaw discrepancies develop. In addition, prolonged thumb sucking, long-term bottle or pacifier use, mouth breathing, early loss of baby teeth and habits such as nail biting can all set the stage for alignment problems.

Treatment can be planned in childhood to guide jaw growth, and during the teenage years or adulthood to correct alignment and bite problems.

Braces or Clear Aligners: Which Is Right for Me?

Modern orthodontic treatment relies on two main approaches: fixed braces, in which brackets and archwires are bonded to the teeth, and removable clear aligners that move the teeth step by step. Both methods work on the same biological principle; the difference lies in how the force is delivered to the tooth.

Metal and ceramic braces

Metal or ceramic brackets are bonded to the front surface of the teeth and apply continuous force through archwires. Because the system works around the clock and depends less on patient compliance, it remains a reliable choice across a wide range of cases, including complex ones.

The archwire is adjusted or replaced at regular intervals so that tooth movement is guided step by step by the dentist. Ceramic brackets are close to the natural tooth colour and therefore less noticeable, while metal brackets stand out for their durability. Once active treatment is complete, all brackets are removed and the tooth surfaces are cleaned and polished.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners are custom-made from a digital scan of your mouth. A series of trays is changed at set intervals, each one moving the teeth a small amount; since they can be removed for eating, drinking and brushing, they fit easily into daily life. You can read more about how the method works in our article on clear aligner treatment.

Aligners deliver effective results particularly in mild to moderate crowding and spacing. In advanced skeletal discrepancies and complex tooth movements, fixed braces may be more suitable. Which option suits you depends on the degree of crowding, your bite relationship, your age and your habits, and is always decided after a clinical and radiographic examination by the dentist.

Who Is a Candidate for Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment can be carried out in children, teenagers and adults whose gums and supporting bone are healthy. An orthodontic assessment is recommended in the following situations:

• Crowded teeth or noticeable gaps between teeth
• Open bite, deep bite or crossbite
• Protruding front teeth or teeth that have failed to erupt properly
• Teeth that have drifted after an extraction
• Alignment needed before implant or prosthetic treatment
• Narrow jaws linked to habits such as mouth breathing or thumb sucking

Early orthodontic assessment in children

For children, a first orthodontic check-up is generally recommended around the age of seven. Your child's dental and jaw development can also be followed regularly during routine paediatric dentistry visits.

A narrow upper jaw, a crossbite or skeletal discrepancies identified early can often be guided with removable appliances or expanders while the jaws are still growing. This may reduce the scope of treatment needed at a later age.

Do Wisdom Teeth and Teeth Grinding Affect Treatment?

The position of the wisdom teeth is evaluated on X-rays during treatment planning. Impacted or erupting wisdom teeth are assessed for their potential to press on the teeth in the arch; if the dentist considers it necessary, extraction can be planned before or during treatment.

Clenching and grinding habits are also part of the orthodontic assessment. Bruxism increases the forces placed on the teeth and can affect both the course of treatment and the stability of the result. Where needed, protective measures such as a night guard are added to the treatment plan.

How Does Orthodontic Treatment Proceed at ADEN Dental?

At our clinic in Çukurambar, Ankara, orthodontic treatment follows four main stages:

Before treatment starts, any cavities are treated and dental calculus is removed. A healthy oral environment is a precondition for orthodontic treatment to progress smoothly.

Digital imaging is used during the planning stage; the intended tooth movements are reviewed with you and your questions are answered before treatment begins. Continuity of care under the same dentist throughout the process supports the integrity of the plan.

• Examination: an intraoral assessment supported by panoramic and, where necessary, cephalometric X-rays to evaluate the teeth, roots, jaw structure and gum health
• Planning: a digital scan or conventional impression is taken; the planned tooth movements, the chosen method and the estimated duration are reviewed together with you
• Active treatment: braces are bonded, or the first set of aligners is fitted, and tooth movement begins under regular supervision
• Follow-up: adjustment visits roughly every four to six weeks for braces, or at intervals set by the dentist for aligners

How Should You Care for Your Teeth During Treatment?

Steady daily care has a direct effect on how smoothly and quickly treatment progresses:

• Brush slowly and carefully around the brackets; use interdental brushes and fluoride toothpaste
• Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods such as nuts, crusty bread and chewing gum
• Cut apples, carrots and similar hard foods into small pieces instead of biting into them
• Wear clear aligners for around 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only for meals and brushing
• Contact the clinic if a bracket comes loose, a wire irritates your cheek or an aligner is lost
• Keep every scheduled appointment; postponed visits can extend the overall treatment time

Daily tips for aligner wearers

A few simple habits are enough to keep your aligners clean and clear:

• Brush your teeth before putting the trays back in; food debris trapped under an aligner increases the risk of decay
• Clean the trays with lukewarm water and a soft brush; hot water can distort their shape
• Do not drink anything other than water while wearing the trays; tea and coffee can stain them
• Always store the trays in their case when removed; aligners wrapped in a napkin are easily lost

Why Is the Retention Phase Important?

After active treatment ends, teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their previous position. To keep this tendency under control, a thin fixed wire is bonded to the back of the front teeth, or a clear retainer is worn at night.

A fixed retainer wire can stay in place for years and is barely noticeable in daily life, while removable retainers are usually worn all night at first and later at the frequency advised by the dentist.

How the retainer is used and for how long varies from person to person and is monitored by the dentist at routine check-ups. Careful attention to the retention phase plays a decisive role in preserving the alignment that has been achieved.

What Determines Long-Term Success?

The long-term success of orthodontic treatment depends not only on the quality of the active phase but also on habits after treatment. The following factors stand out in preserving the result:

How these factors are prioritised for your individual situation is planned together with the dentist at follow-up visits.

• Wearing retainers for as long and as often as the dentist advises
• Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings
• Managing habits such as clenching and grinding
• Keeping up daily oral hygiene as a routine
• Monitoring the wisdom teeth as they erupt

What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment?

Correctly positioned teeth make brushing and flossing easier, which helps reduce the risk of decay and gum disease. A balanced bite also helps chewing forces spread evenly across the teeth.

The extent of these benefits differs from person to person, which is why realistic expectations are discussed during the dental examination.

• Easier and more effective oral hygiene
• Improved chewing function
• Less tooth wear caused by uneven loading
• A positive contribution to speech and the appearance of the smile