FAQ

Diagnosis is not according to the points of the practitioner. It must be the same for all orthodontists. On the other hand, treatment procedure can be considered as a procedure completely dependent on the practitioner’s point of views and style. We act based on our taste, what we learned, aesthetic taste, criteria for beauty … So it is not surprising to deal with practitioners who do not follow the same list of procedures. My statement is about the well trained specialist, a general dentist is prone to lack a whole view in diagnosis.

Aligning and leveling teeth needs space. In some cases, it is apparent that teeth need to be removed if proper aligning is expected. We need to know that bone cannot be made wider and longer I the area of oral cavity. Considering this fact, extraction of teeth will be the sole method of getting space to align and level the teeth while not being protruded.

Teeth may experience a short period of mild pain which can be controlled by Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). You may feel increased degrees of tooth movement. It is a feeling not as detectable as it seems.

In my practice, fixed orthodontic treatments last for 18-26 months. They usually come to my office once a month.

No, teeth tend to move after debanding, they should be retained by retainers in a one year period.

If I were you, I would have trusted my orthodontist. So, let him/ her decide what to use in treating your teeth.

They are 3, teeth may be affected which makes a dental problem. If jaws are affected, we call them skeletal problem. Sometimes, they are mixed. Dealing with skeletal problems, we have to act before adolescence. On the other hand, dental problems can be treated in different ages.

Generally speaking, there are several factors involved in producing crooked teeth between 18 and 25 which are out of our reach. Wisdom teeth are the only ones reachable. If I find any discrepancy in the position of these teeth, I refer the patient to the oral surgeon to remove them.

No, teeth do not tend to move back by themselves. They should be pushed to move to their proper position by orthodontic forces.

Treatment in two jaws is related to each other. In some instances, a decision in one jaw is depended on the other jaw situations. So, there are few cases, on my opinion, that can be treated properly in one jaw.

There may be some evidences in starting orthodontic treatment after surgery but I personally wish not deal with patients after their surgery. In most of the cases the alignment of teeth is impossible after surgery. If I am going to accept the responsibility of treatment, it should be before conducting surgery.

Yes, of course there are relations between orthodontic tooth movements and the end result of rhinoplasty or other cosmetic surgeries. What you visit in the profile of your nose after surgery is completely dependent on the position of your anterior teeth. So, let the anterior teeth be settled by orthodontist and then consult with your surgeon. If I am asked for a guide to patients with this kind of treatment plans, it is my answer. Let the orthodontic treatment be completed and then your surgeons will be in a better situation to plan for your operation. ( … and there will not be any overlap of duties between a practitioner who has a long treatment procedure (the orthodontist) and one who visits a patient for less than a week( the surgeon).

It should be explained before giving a short answer. Teeth can be moved orthodontically at any age, if the supporting bone is healthy and to an acceptable height. It does not mean that age is not a factor in treatment planning but it means that to every age range, there are certain treatment plans to be designed according to the needs.

Lower jaw is connected to the rest of the head through temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). I personally do not start orthodontic treatment in a patient with TMJ signs without a given dental problem. (it is according to our acceptable textbooks). I start treatment after finding dental or skeletal problems which can be treated and are within the limits of orthodontic treatments. In the first visit, when a TMJ problem is suspected, a consultation is usually recommended.