Orthodontics (braces and aligners)

Orthodontic treatment moves teeth by applying gentle, steady pressure over months. It corrects crowding, gaps, crooked teeth and bite problems such as an overbite or crossbite. Straight teeth are easier to clean, which lowers the risk of decay and gum disease, and an even bite spreads chewing forces more evenly.

Who it’s for

Orthodontics suits children, teenagers and adults. In children, treatment can also guide how the jaws develop. In adults, teeth move just as well as long as the gums and bone are healthy.

A practical point if you live abroad: braces need to be checked and adjusted every few weeks in the chair, over many months. That makes them suitable for people who live in Antalya or visit regularly. Clear aligners can need fewer visits in some cases, and we discuss whether they would work for you at your consultation.

How it’s done

Treatment starts with an examination, X-rays, photos and a scan or impressions of your teeth. From these the dentist plans how each tooth should move and estimates how long it will take.

• Fixed braces are small brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a wire. They are available in metal or tooth-coloured ceramic.
• Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable plastic trays, each one moving the teeth a little further. They need to be worn about 22 hours a day to work.

You come back regularly, usually every four to eight weeks, so the dentist can check progress and adjust the braces or give you the next aligners.

Afterwards

When the teeth are in place, braces are removed or the last aligner is finished, and a retainer keeps the result. Without one, teeth drift back. During treatment, clean carefully around brackets with interdental brushes and avoid hard, sticky food that can break them off.

Risks and alternatives

Teeth and gums can ache for a few days after each adjustment. Poor cleaning around braces can leave white marks or decay on the enamel. In a small number of people the roots shorten slightly. Results relapse if retainers aren’t worn.

For purely cosmetic changes in adults, bonding or veneers can sometimes hide mild crowding. They don’t correct the bite, and veneers mean removing some enamel, so straightening first is often the better long-term choice.