What is orthodontics? Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that evaluates and corrects the alignment of the teeth, the way the upper and lower jaws close together and, in growing children, the development of the jaws. The word comes from the Greek ortho, meaning straight, and odontos, meaning tooth; so the short answer to the question of what orthodontics means is the science of straightening teeth. A dentist who has completed specialty training in this field is called an orthodontist.
Orthodontics is not done only for a nice smile. Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean, chewing forces are distributed more evenly across the teeth, and problems such as wear and strain on the gums seen in some bite problems can be prevented. In this guide, you will find, in order, what orthodontics does, who an orthodontist is, which problems and methods fall within this field, and when you should go for an examination. For a more informative summary of the topic, you can also take a look at our blog article What is orthodontics.
What does orthodontics do?
Orthodontics changes the position of the teeth and jaws by applying controlled, light and continuous forces to them. A tooth is held in the jawbone by a thin layer of connective tissue (the periodontal ligament). When a directed force is applied to a tooth, the bone on the side the tooth is moving toward slowly remodels, while new bone forms in the space left behind it. This biological process is the basis of tooth movement; that is why orthodontic treatment takes time and is not rushed.
The main tasks of orthodontics can be summarized as follows:
- Aligning the teeth: Bringing crowded, rotated or gapped teeth into the correct position.
- Correcting the bite: Making sure the upper and lower teeth fit together properly; correcting a deep bite, open bite or crossbite.
- Guiding jaw development: In growing children, steering development in the right direction in problems such as a narrow upper jaw or a receding jaw.
- Preparing for other treatments: Bringing the teeth into a suitable position before an implant, bridge or gum treatment.
- Preserving the result: Preventing the teeth from returning to their old places with retention (a retainer) after treatment.
Who is an orthodontist, and how are they different from a dentist?
An orthodontist is a dentist who, after graduating from dental school, has completed additional specialty training in orthodontics. In Türkiye, this training is usually entered through the Dental Specialty Examination (DUS), and the specialty program lasts several years at universities or teaching hospitals. During this time, the dentist receives intensive clinical training in facial and jaw growth, the biology of tooth movement, cephalometric analysis (measurements made on a side-view skull X-ray), treatment planning and different orthodontic methods.
A general dentist works in many areas such as fillings, root canal treatment, gum cleaning and prosthetics; orthodontics is a separate specialty from these. Orthodontic specialists are usually indicated in their titles with Uzm. Dt. (specialist dentist) or an academic title. You can ask the clinic whether a dentist is an orthodontic specialist and find out about their specialty certificate. Our article The difference between an orthodontist and a dentist, which explains the difference between the two professions in more detail, may be a helpful guide on this topic.
What problems does orthodontics treat?
The medical name for orthodontic problems is malocclusion (a mismatched bite of the teeth and jaws). The most common ones are:
- Crowding: Teeth that do not fit and overlap one another. For details, see our crowded teeth page.
- Gaps between teeth: Spaces between the teeth (diastema), especially in the front teeth.
- Deep bite: The upper front teeth overlapping the lower front teeth too much.
- Open bite: The front teeth not touching when the teeth are closed.
- Crossbite: One or more upper teeth sitting inside the lower teeth.
- Protruding teeth: The upper front teeth sticking out forward.
- Receding or protruding jaw: The lower or upper jaw being positioned behind or in front of the other.
- Midline shift and missing teeth: A shifted smile line, or gaps from missing teeth affecting the other teeth.
These problems often occur together rather than on their own. What matters is distinguishing whether the problem comes only from the teeth or from the position of the jawbones. We touch on the classification used for this distinction on our bite classes page.
What treatment methods are used in orthodontics?
There is no single method in orthodontic treatment; different tools are used depending on the problem, the patient's age and their expectations. To see all the options together, see our orthodontic treatments page. The main methods are:
- Metal braces: Consist of brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire connecting them. Used for a wide range of cases. Details are on our braces treatment page.
- Ceramic braces: Offer a less noticeable look with brackets close to the color of the teeth.
- Lingual braces: The brackets are bonded to the inner (tongue-side) surfaces of the teeth and cannot be seen from the outside.
- Clear aligners: The teeth are moved gradually with clear aligners custom-made for the teeth and changed in sequence. The clinic uses the Invisalign system. For general information, see our what are clear aligners page.
- Palatal expansion and functional appliances: Used in growing children to widen a narrow upper jaw or guide jaw development. See orthodontic appliances.
- Orthodontics combined with orthognathic surgery: In adults whose growth is complete, if skeletal differences are pronounced, orthodontics can be planned together with jaw surgery.
For those undecided between braces and clear aligners, our clear aligners vs. braces comparison may be helpful. Which method is suitable, however, becomes clear only after an examination and records.
When should you see an orthodontist?
For children, it is recommended that the first orthodontic examination take place at around age 7. At this age, baby teeth and permanent teeth are present together, and some problems in jaw development can be spotted early. This does not mean treatment will start for every child at age 7; for most children, monitoring alone is enough. We go into the topic in detail in our article on the first orthodontic examination for children and on our early orthodontic treatment page.
Regardless of age, it is helpful to consult an orthodontic specialist in the following situations:
- If your teeth have noticeable crowding, gaps or protrusion,
- If your front teeth do not touch when you bite, or your teeth close in a crossbite,
- If you have difficulty chewing or bite your cheek or palate,
- If your child breathes through the mouth, sucks their thumb or pushes their tongue between their teeth,
- If baby teeth were lost early or the permanent teeth are slow to come in,
- If you have had orthodontic treatment before and your teeth have started to shift again.
There is no upper age limit for adults; the deciding factor is the health of the gums and bone. Our Invisalign for adults page may give you an idea on this topic.
What happens at an orthodontic examination?
At the first examination, the orthodontist looks at your face, smile, teeth and bite, and listens to your concerns and expectations. If needed, records such as panoramic and side-view skull (cephalometric) X-rays, intraoral and facial photographs and a digital intraoral scan are taken. Based on these records, a diagnosis is made, and the treatment options, estimated time and possible limitations are discussed. To go to your examination prepared, you can use our orthodontic consultation question list page.
How long does orthodontic treatment take, and what comes afterward?
Treatment time varies with the type of problem, age, the method used and the patient's cooperation. While a few months may be enough in mild cases, in comprehensive bite corrections the time generally ranges from one to two years; in some cases it can take longer. In most treatments, check-up appointments are held every few weeks.
The work does not end when active treatment ends. Because the teeth tend to return to their old positions for a while, the retention period begins. Fixed retainers (a thin wire bonded behind the teeth) or removable retainers are used; most orthodontists recommend wearing removable retainers for a long time, usually at night. For details, see our retention (retainer) page.
What should you pay attention to during orthodontic treatment?
The patient plays as much of a role in the success of treatment as the orthodontist. Taking care of oral hygiene, attending check-ups regularly, using the appliances or aligners your orthodontist recommends for the specified time and letting the clinic know when there is a problem help make the result last. Mild tenderness during treatment is common, especially in the first few days after a new wire adjustment or a new aligner, and it usually goes away on its own.
If you are considering an orthodontic examination in Ankara, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), carries out evaluations at Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic. The clinic is located at Park Oran Ofis in Oran, Çankaya, next to Panora Mall, and is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00. For appointments and information, you can reach us by phone at 0312 911 60 36 or via WhatsApp. Examinations are available in Turkish, English, German and Russian.