Orthodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthognathic and orthodontic anomalies. These anomalies may worsen oral health, teeth occlusion, oral functions and facial aesthetics. Orthodontics is one of the certified dental specialties, equivalent to the medical specialties. The orthodontist is a dentist who has received 3-year training in certified post-graduate programs in Orthodontic departments, domestic or foreign. The title of the orthodontist specialist is given by the Ministry of Health and Wellfare after board examination.

As in any medical field, in the orthodontic field also, it is recommended that treatment should be performed by the orthodontist specialist. A general dentist should be able to diagnose an orthodontic problem, however treatment should be performed by someone with special knowledge and extensive training.

Orthodontic problems can be attributed to hereditary, environmental factors or a combination of both. In some cases, a child may inherit big teeth from his/her father and small jaws from his/her mother. As a result, teeth cannot fit in the jaws and they become crowded (crooked teeth). Certain habits such as thumb sucking, lip or tongue biting, nail biting, prolonged use of pacifier can cause orthodontic problems. However, the most common environmental factor is the extense destruction due to caries or the premature loss of primary teeth. Every primary tooth reserves the space for the eruption of its successor permanent tooth; if this space is lost due to adjacent teeth movements, there will no longer be sufficient space for the eruption of permanent teeth. As a result teeth will become crowded (crooked teeth). The anomalies caused by the abovementioned factors usually reverse themselves without any orthodontic treatment, provided that those factors are diagnosed and dealt with on time.

Orthodontic treatment is deemed necessary in the following cases:

• Orthodontic anomalies: Crowded teeth are very hard to clean; this may result in dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis and loss of teeth in the long term. Furthermore, proclined teeth are at great risk of fracture or total loss after an accident.
• Orthognathic or Skeletal anomalies: Jaw disharmonies may lead to problems in the oral functions (breathing, chewing, and swallowing), the temporo -mandibular joint (fatigue, pain, clicking) and the teeth (wear). All the above worsen facial and oral aesthetics and may lower one’s self-esteem.
• Functional disorders: Jaw disharmonies may lead to problems in chewing, breathing, speech, swallowing as well as muscular problems, teeth grinding, intense snoring, obstructive sleep apnea etc.

• Leveling and alignment of the teeth, so that the patient can perform efficiently his/her oral hygiene.
• Dental and skeletal alignment, so that the patient can perform all basic functions (breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech) without any obstacles.
• Limitation of TMD.
• Facilitate the general dentist for future dental procedures (fillings, dentures, bridgework etc.)
• Beautiful smile and pleasant face
• Enhance one’s self-confidence and self- esteem.

CONSEQUENTLY, orthodontic treatment can be considered as a more mild form of treatment, by preventing possible future dental procedures.

In every medical or dental field prevention is better than treatment. Therefore, one should visit the orthodontist at the age of 6-7 years, so that the specialist can diagnose potential problems, their gravity and the proper time for starting the treatment.

• Less chances to extract permanent teeth.
• Only during skeletal maturation usually before puberty, can the orthodontist control and affect skeletal growth, thus dealing effectively with potential orthodontic and skeletal anomalies.
• Better tissue response to treatment.
• Less treatment time.
• Younger patients adjust more easily to orthodontic appliances; this results to better patient cooperation.

Orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age; there are no age limitations. However, adult orthodontic treatment presents with certain difficulties, f.e. tissue response to orthodontic forces is slower in adults.

The orthodontic appliances can be removable, when the patient can take them out of his/her mouth or fixed, when they are attached to the teeth and only the orthodontist can remove them.

No teeth or gingival problems are caused provided that the patient keeps his/her appointments, follows any instructions and doesn’t neglect his/her oral hygiene.

The duration of an orthodontic treatment varies depending on the patient’s age and the gravity of the problem. The active phase of treatment can last up to 2 years or more, while the retention phase can last the same period of time or even more. Patient’s cooperation is very important in that respect.

The cost of an orthodontic treatment varies depending on the treatment duration, the gravity of the problem, the number and kind of the orthodontic appliances that will be used.