Why Are Orthodontic Treatments Performed?
While rushing through the hectic pace of Istanbul, when you stop for a moment and look in the mirror, do you only see “crooked teeth”? Or are you also aware of the health risks behind this crookedness that affect your entire body? Most people think that orthodontic treatment (braces) is just a cosmetic procedure done to look better and “look better on Instagram.” However, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Orthodontic treatment is a comprehensive medical intervention performed to ensure ideal function in the mouth where digestion begins, to protect the temporomandibular joint, to prevent gum diseases, and to correct speech disorders. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into why orthodontic treatment is a “necessity” rather than a “luxury,” the systemic problems caused by untreated malocclusion in the long term, and modern treatment approaches in Istanbul.
1. To Protect Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Health
The most complex joint in our body is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, located just in front of our ear. This joint, which opens and closes thousands of times a day, is directly affected by the way our teeth close (occlusion).
If your teeth don’t close properly (crossbite, openbite, etc.), the load on the jaw joint becomes unbalanced. This situation can lead to;
- Persistent headaches and neck pain (often confused with migraines),
- Clicking sounds when opening and closing the jaw,
- In advanced cases, it can cause jaw locking.
Braces treatment relieves the joint by establishing the ideal relationship between the upper and lower jaws and eliminates these chronic pains.
📍 Istanbul Traffic and Teeth Grinding
The traffic and work stress of living in Istanbul trigger the habit of teeth grinding (bruxism) at night in many people. If your teeth are crooked, excessive load is placed on some teeth during teeth grinding, and fractures and enamel cracks occur in these teeth. Orthodontics minimizes the damage of this destructive force by balancing tooth contacts.
2. To Improve the Beginning of the Digestive System
“Digestion begins in the mouth” is not a cliché, it’s a biological fact. For food to be easily digested by the stomach, it needs to be thoroughly ground by the teeth. However;
A person with an open bite (front teeth not touching) cannot bite into a sandwich.
A person with misaligned back teeth cannot chew food properly, they only crush it.
Food that is not chewed sufficiently goes into the stomach whole. This situation lays the groundwork for gastrointestinal problems such as gastritis, reflux, and bloating in the long term. Orthodontic treatment protects your overall health by providing ideal “Chewing Function”. 3. To Prevent Gum Disease and Cavities
Even if you use the most expensive toothbrush or the best dental floss, cleaning between overlapping (misaligned) teeth may be physically impossible. These “dead zones” that the toothbrush cannot reach are a perfect refuge for food particles and bacteria.
In untreated crooked teeth:
- Interproximal Caries
Cavities develop, starting between the teeth and progressing insidiously, invisible to the naked eye. - Dental Tartar Accumulation
Tartar buildup begins in areas that cannot be cleaned, leading to gum recession. - Early Tooth Loss
Chronic gum inflammation (Periodontitis) erodes bone, and healthy teeth can loosen and fall out.
4. To Correct Speech Disorders (Phonation)
Correct pronunciation of sounds is possible with the correct contact of the tongue with the teeth and palate. Especially gaps in the front teeth (diastema) or missing teeth; It causes letters like “s”, “z”, “t”, and “d” to be pronounced lispingly or incorrectly.
Orthodontic treatment corrects the arch of the teeth, allowing the tongue to take the correct position. In many cases, orthodontic treatment is required before speech therapy.
5. For Psychological and Social Self-Confidence
In Istanbul’s competitive business world, whether you’re giving a presentation in Maslak plazas or sharing a photo on social media, your smile is your signature. Individuals with crooked teeth often:
Cover their mouths in photos,
Cover their faces with their hands when smiling,
Are hesitant to speak in front of a crowd.
Studies show that individuals who undergo orthodontic treatment experience up to a 70% increase in self-confidence and social communication skills. This is not just a matter of “beauty,” but a matter of psychological well-being.
🩺 Saving Impacted Teeth
Sometimes teeth don’t erupt and remain embedded in the jawbone (especially canine teeth). Impacted teeth can damage neighboring teeth by eroding their roots or forming cysts. With orthodontic treatment, these impacted teeth are surgically exposed.The tooth can be removed and then repositioned to its proper place (inside the tooth arch) using a wire. This is the only method that saves the tooth from being extracted.
Table: What Happens If It’s Not Treated?
“What do I lose if I don’t get braces?” Short-term and long-term risk analysis for those who say:
| Current Problem | Long-Term Consequences if Left Untreated |
|---|---|
| Crowded Teeth | Interproximal caries, gum recession, and early tooth loss. |
| Deep Bite | Lower teeth injuring the upper gum, temporomandibular joint pain. |
| Protruding Teeth (Protrusion) | 40% risk of front teeth breaking in case of a fall/impact. |
| Open Bite | Inability to bite with front teeth, tongue thrusting habit, speech disorder. |
| Crossbite | Asymmetrical growth in the jaw, facial curvature (Requires surgery in adulthood). |
Conclusion: Invest in Your Future
Why is orthodontic treatment done? Because the body is a whole, and teeth are the most critical gears in this whole. If one of the gears (teeth) turns incorrectly, the entire system (digestion, joints, psychology) deteriorates over time.
With the metal, porcelain, or clear aligner (wireless treatment) options offered by modern orthodontics in Istanbul, this treatment process is now much more comfortable and aesthetic. This investment you make in yourself or your child will pay off not only with straight teeth, but also with healthy digestion, a pain-free jaw, and a life full of self-confidence.
