Orthodontics is the dental specialty that straightens teeth and corrects the way the upper and lower teeth meet. It uses fixed braces, clear aligners and removable appliances, and in growing children it can also guide jaw development.
Treatment improves appearance, makes teeth easier to clean and can even out biting forces. It is slow by nature: teeth move about 1 mm a month, so most courses last 6 to 30 months with reviews every 4 to 10 weeks, followed by lifelong retainers.
Conditions this service looks after
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Increased overjet (upper teeth sticking out)
- Deep bite, open bite and crossbite
- Underbite (lower teeth ahead of upper teeth)
- Impacted canines and other teeth that have not erupted
- Relapse after earlier orthodontic treatment
- Tooth positioning before implants, bridges or veneers
Tests you may be offered
- Clinical examination and photographs: Record the face, smile and bite.
- Panoramic X-ray: Shows all teeth, roots, missing or extra teeth and bone levels.
- Lateral cephalogram: Side skull X-ray to measure jaw relationships and tooth angles.
- Intraoral 3D scan: Digital model used for planning and for making aligners.
- Cone beam CT: Reserved for impacted teeth and surgical cases.
Treatments available
- Fixed metal or ceramic braces: The most versatile option for complex movement.
- Lingual braces: Fixed to the inner side of teeth so they are hidden; harder to adapt to.
- Clear aligners: A series of removable trays worn 20 to 22 hours a day; good for mild to moderate problems.
- Removable and functional appliances: Plates, expanders and twin blocks, mainly for growing children.
- Rapid palatal expansion: Widens a narrow upper jaw.
- Retainers: Bonded wires and removable night retainers that hold the result.
- Combined orthodontics and jaw surgery: For skeletal discrepancies in adults.
When to ask for a specialist opinion
- A child is 7 to 9 and has a crossbite, very prominent teeth or early loss of baby teeth
- A teenager's adult teeth are crowded or a canine has not appeared
- You are an adult unhappy with crooked teeth and considering veneers as a shortcut
- Your teeth have moved after earlier braces
- A dentist has suggested tooth movement before implant or crown work
Travelling to Türkiye for this care
Orthodontics depends on repeated visits over many months, so it is rarely suited to travel unless you are in Türkiye regularly. What can work: an assessment with records and a written plan; clear aligner treatment where a full set of trays is supplied and reviews are partly remote, accepting that refinements need further visits; and new retainers. Fixed braces for a patient living abroad are generally not advisable. Be wary of crowns or veneers offered as instant orthodontics for healthy crooked teeth.
Send your reports, scans and a short history and a Clinic-Y coordinator replies within 24 hours with suitable teams and written, all-inclusive proposals side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I too old for orthodontics?
No. Teeth move at any age if gums and bone are healthy, though treatment can be a little slower in adults.
Can aligners be managed from abroad?
Mild cases sometimes, with clear arrangements for attachments, checks and refinements. Complex cases need hands-on supervision.
Do I really need retainers forever?
Yes, in practice. Teeth tend to drift throughout life, and part-time retainer wear is the only reliable protection.
Are veneers an alternative?
They hide mild irregularity but remove healthy enamel. Moving the teeth first is usually the more conservative route.