How is clear aligner treatment planned if you live in Beytepe or Bilkent?
Treatment for patients coming from the Beytepe and Bilkent area is planned at Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic in Oran, Çankaya, by Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.). In this area, the rhythm of life is largely set by the academic calendar: fall and spring semesters, midterms, finals weeks, summer school and long breaks. Fitting clear aligner treatment around this calendar is one of the most practical conditions for success, because the aligners are worn 20–22 hours a day and changed at intervals set by the orthodontist, usually every 7–14 days. Check-ups are generally every 6–10 weeks. These intervals are flexible enough to fit campus life, as long as they are discussed from the start.
Who are the patients from this area, and what do they expect?
People who come to us from Beytepe and Bilkent fall into a few different groups, and each group has different priorities:
- University students: Young people who do not want visible wires and want to speak comfortably during presentations and interviews. Their most common question is how treatment will continue when they go back to their hometowns during breaks.
- Academics and researchers: People who lecture, attend conferences and spend periods abroad. The effect on speech and keeping track of aligners on long trips are their main questions.
- Families living around campus: Parents living in Bilkent and Beytepe housing who want to plan their child's orthodontic examination together with their own treatment.
- International faculty and students: Since the clinic provides care in Turkish, English, German and Russian, the treatment process can be explained in these languages. Details are on our orthodontics for foreigners living in Ankara page.
How is treatment fitted into the semester calendar?
The starting time matters. In the first few days after the first aligners are fitted, there may be a feeling of pressure on the teeth and a brief lisp. For this reason, many students find it more comfortable to schedule aligner delivery at the start of the semester or right after exams end, rather than in the middle of finals week. A typical flow looks like this:
- The examination and iTero digital scan can be done during the semester at an evening or Saturday appointment.
- Once the ClinCheck digital plan is ready, another appointment is made for the plan discussion and aligner delivery.
- Check-ups are scheduled around your class timetable, usually at intervals of 6–10 weeks.
- Before summer break or an exchange semester, several aligners may be handed over together if the orthodontist considers it appropriate.
To keep track of your aligner change days, you can use the methods on our aligner change schedule page. Details specific to students are explained on our clear aligners for university students page.
What happens during summer break or while you are abroad?
If you will be away from Ankara for a long time, simply mention it at the first consultation. Once the orthodontist is sure the teeth are progressing according to plan, they can provide enough aligners to cover the period you will be away. However, this is not possible in every case; steps that need to be done at the clinic, such as checking attachments (small composite bumps that help the aligner grip the tooth), IPR (millimetric reduction between teeth) or elastics, determine the schedule. While you are away, it is possible to send updates by photo; even so, this does not replace a clinical check-up. If there is a chance you will move to another city or country with an exchange program, you can read about transferring treatment to another orthodontist in our article changing orthodontist or city during aligner treatment.
Are aligners a problem when lecturing or giving presentations?
In the first days some sounds may change slightly; in most people the tongue adapts quickly. The days right before an important presentation or oral exam are not ideal for starting a new treatment. For practical information on speaking, sports and musical instruments, take a look at our article speaking, sports and musical instruments with aligners.
How do you care for aligners in a dorm or shared apartment?
Aligner care takes a bit of organization where the bathroom and kitchen are shared. Instead of leaving the aligner out on the edge of the sink, always keep it in its own case. Do not use hot water when cleaning; the aligner may change shape. Cleaning with just water and a soft brush is usually enough. If you are drinking tea or coffee while studying late at night, take the aligner out, or drink only water while it is in. Carrying a separate case and brush in your bag makes it easier to put the aligner back in right after meals during the day. Details are on our how to clean clear aligners page.
How do you get from campus to the clinic?
The clinic is at Park Oran Ofis, Dükkan No:70, on Kudüs Caddesi in Oran, Çankaya; it is next to Panora Mall and opposite One Tower Mall. By car from Beytepe and Bilkent, you usually reach Oran in southern Çankaya via the Eskişehir Yolu and Konya Yolu connections. Travel time varies considerably depending on the time of day and traffic; it may take longer when classes let out and during the evening commute. The simplest option is to enter 'Park Oran Ofis' into your navigation app. If you are coming by public transport, we recommend checking the EGO Cep'te app for current routes and transfers.
What should you do if you lose your aligner on campus?
An aligner wrapped in a napkin in the cafeteria is the most common cause of lost aligners. Whenever you take your aligner out, always put it in its case. If it gets lost or broken, call the clinic by phone or WhatsApp (0312 911 60 36). Wearing your previous aligner until the orthodontist advises you helps prevent the teeth from shifting back, so do not throw away your old aligners. For other possible situations, see the checklist on our clear aligners while traveling page.