Patients do not visit gum specialists only to eliminate inflammation or infection in their gums. In some cases, the aesthetic appearance of the gums can bother patients at least as much as inflammation does. Aesthetic gum problems, which can negatively affect a person’s self-confidence in particular, are brought to positive results thanks to gum aesthetics solutions. It is also worth mentioning that gum aesthetics is in at least as much demand as the treatment of gum diseases. The most commonly used gum aesthetics methods can be listed as follows:

Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is also known as pink aesthetics. The easiest, most practical and most effective solution used in cases such as gum overgrowth or gum whitening is gum contouring. During the procedure, a gingivectomy is performed; that is, the aim is to reduce the gum by trimming it. Crooked, uneven or oversized gums are corrected in this way. In addition, other aesthetic problems caused by gum recession can be eliminated thanks to new tissue formation and repair techniques, in other words the regeneration technique.

Flap Surgery

Another common procedure that comes to mind when gum aesthetics is mentioned is flap surgery. Flap surgery is performed in order to intervene directly in the bone beneath the gum tissue. Flap surgery is mostly used in cases where bone loss has reached advanced levels. Contributing positively not only aesthetically but also medically, flap surgery aims to remove the gum pockets formed in the gum tissue and to give a brand-new appearance. Performed under simple and effective local anaesthesia, flap surgery begins with lifting the gum tissue. The pocket tissue in the gum is then eliminated, irregularities in the bone are corrected and the resulting defects are treated with the help of bone graft powder.

Gum Botox

Gum Botox is a gum aesthetics procedure used when more than 2 millimetres of gum is visible when a person smiles. This condition is called a gummy smile, and it can lead to an appearance that is quite disturbing cosmetically. Poor gum care, insufficiently erupted teeth, an overly mobile upper lip or an upper jaw that has developed more vertically than normal are among the main causes of a gummy smile. The most effective and easy solution to this condition lies in gum Botox. Gum Botox is performed with a Botox injection starting from the lateral border of the nostril and extending sideways. A numbing cream is first applied to the injection area, and the injection begins about 5 minutes later. Applying ice before or after Botox may be preferred; in this way, minimal swelling and bruising occur in the patient when the treatment is completed. It is possible to visibly observe its effects 2–3 days after the treatment is completed. For a more lasting and long-term effect, as with every Botox procedure, the gum Botox procedure needs to be repeated every 4–8 months.

The dentist visit and dental examination, children’s worst nightmare, are coming to an end thanks to the advanced and modern methods of paediatric dentistry. Paediatric dentistry, also known as pedodontics, focuses solely on children’s oral and dental health and aims to address all problems that may occur in children’s mouths and teeth from infancy to adolescence and to find appropriate treatment methods. A pedodontist who is a specialist in the field provides services in a position to solve many oral and dental problems such as the loss of baby teeth, the eruption of molars, the formation of cavities and the like.

Of course, as a parent, before entrusting your child to any paediatric dentist, you would want to be sure that the dentist has sufficient knowledge of children’s teeth and oral structure, has experience in paediatric dentistry and has specialised training in this field. In this context, the dentists at our clinic aim to provide support for many paediatric dental problems, from teething to tooth decay and from teeth grinding to other children’s dental diseases. Everything you want to know about paediatric dentistry and pedodontics is waiting for you in this guide.

The main children’s dental conditions that a paediatric dental health specialist can address can be listed as follows:

• Preventive dentistry
• Tooth decay treatments
• Development, follow-up & monitoring of baby teeth
• Development, follow-up & monitoring of teething
• Preventive & interceptive orthodontic treatments
• Education on healthy nutrition, oral and dental health & hygiene
• Correct tooth brushing techniques
• Treatment of genetic oral and dental problems
• Treatment of children’s gum diseases
• Treatment of children’s broken, dislocated or cracked teeth
• Tooth extraction in children
• Space maintainer treatment methods
• Raising awareness & educating parents about pedodontics
• Preventive treatments against teeth grinding or clenching
• Special protective and preventive appliances for children who play sports

When their child faces any oral or dental problem, most parents may not think at first that they should take the child specifically to a specialist in children’s dental diseases; because the belief that adult dentists can also treat children is quite common. However, it is worth noting that children’s oral structure is quite different from that of adults. First of all, children have baby teeth and their oral structure is still developing; therefore, children’s teeth require extra attention and a special area of expertise.

Taking your child to a pedodontist for their first dental examination will be beneficial to both of you in many ways. Thanks to their specialisation, the pedodontist will be able to easily determine the state of your child’s dental development, foresee existing or possible problems and apply a suitable treatment plan. In addition, adult dentists may in some cases have difficulty identifying special problems that paediatric dentists can detect; that is why it is very important that your child’s first dental examination in particular is carried out by a pedodontist.

With all this, it is worth noting that the methods, treatments and appliances used by pedodontists are mostly the same as those used in adult dentistry. What matters here is that, thanks to the specialised training they receive during their education, pedodontists know which treatment methods and appliances are used and how in babies, children and adolescents.

Cavities that can be found in the bone or soft tissues of our body, often containing fluid and surrounded by soft tissue, are called cysts. Cysts can be found anywhere in the body, but most cysts form in the jaw area.

Are jaw cysts dangerous?

Cysts in the jaw form due to inflammatory and developmental causes. They are generally harmless and do not become malignant tumours, but over time they can grow and cause cosmetic and functional disorders. A cyst in the jaw should be removed using the appropriate method according to its size and type. If there is a tendency towards a malignant tumour, it must be intervened in and removed quickly.

Treatment of jaw cysts

Cysts that form in the jaw are treated surgically. The surgical method to be applied varies according to the type of cyst. With the marsupialisation procedure, the pressure inside the cyst is reduced and the cyst is made to shrink. Enucleation is the removal of the cyst together with the surrounding epithelial tissue.

Resection is the removal of the cyst together with the healthy bone tissue around it. General or local anaesthesia is used depending on the size of the cyst to be removed. During the operation, the following procedures are performed:

• The gum and part of the relevant bone are lifted
• The cyst is removed from where it is located and the surrounding area is cleaned
• The cleaned area is closed with stitches
• The removed tissue is sent to pathology for examination.

Becoming a mother or father brings with it the responsibility of being in charge of another living being’s health; and of course, this includes oral and dental health. As a parent, just as with every part of their body, you want your child’s mouth and teeth to be one hundred percent healthy and trouble-free. In this context, from time to time you may do research, read sources and consult references. If you have not researched paediatric dentistry and children’s dental health before, you can find the answers to your questions here.

When should I take my child for their first dental examination?

Most parents whose children are starting to get their permanent teeth face this question from the moment the first permanent tooth erupts. In order to prevent dental problems that may occur in the future and to take preventive measures in time, every parent has the duty to show their baby to a paediatric dentistry specialist as soon as the baby turns 1 year old. Although this is not a legal obligation, it is a very important step in preventing oral and dental diseases that could reach more serious levels in the future. The dentist can observe the development of the mouth, apply early diagnosis and treatment methods when necessary, and help you become more aware by determining the tasks that fall to you as parents.

How do I prepare my child for their first dental examination?

For every child, the first visit to the dentist can turn into a frightening and worrying event. Before the examination, you need to explain clearly to your child exactly where they are going, what awaits them there and what kind of procedures the paediatric dentist will perform. If you do this, you can be more solution-oriented and calm if you encounter unexpected situations, and you can keep your child’s reactions under control in a more measured way. Take it from us: tricking your child by saying you are taking them to an amusement park, a playground or a toy shop when you are actually taking them to the dentist always leads to more negative results.

How should baby teeth be cared for?

Baby tooth care is another question that parents often wonder about regarding children’s oral health. The best paediatric dentists emphasise that baby tooth care should begin even before the teeth erupt. During baby tooth care, the baby’s gums should be cleaned regularly with a wet, lukewarm cloth, and the gums should be massaged by applying light pressure with the thumb. During the massage, you can use special baby teethers if you wish.

The most common belief when your child is getting baby teeth is that, since they will fall out anyway, they do not need any extra care or attention. However, baby teeth do not only help your baby eat or suckle; they also serve to hold the place of the permanent teeth that will come. That is why, for a healthier and stronger oral structure, baby tooth care is at least as important as permanent tooth care.

What should be used to clean baby teeth?

Of course, you are not expected to use a toothbrush and toothpaste when cleaning your baby’s baby teeth. Instead, small-headed baby toothbrushes produced especially for baby teeth will do the job. This cleaning, which you will do once a day before sleep without using any toothpaste or similar cosmetic product, will prevent the formation of bacteria and plaque on the baby teeth in the long term.

My baby has a severe toothache. What should I do?

Your baby may feel discomfort and pain in the gums and in the mouth in general, especially in the first period when the baby teeth start to erupt. This discomfort, which is new and unexpected for your baby, can make them more uneasy and restless than you think. Since this restlessness will also affect you directly, it is useful to be prepared for such situations in advance. When your baby feels pain while teething, you can have them rinse with warm salt water, apply a cold compress if there is swelling on the face, or gently massage the gums with your thumb.

Is having a dental X-ray harmful for my child?

Especially with current technological developments, dental X-rays have been optimised to involve minimal radiation and harmful rays. Of course, taking an X-ray for every dental problem your child encounters may not be the right strategy; however, a dental X-ray taken at points your paediatric dentist considers essential will not pose any harm to your child’s health. In addition, your paediatric dentistry specialist will not ask for a dental X-ray of your child unless it is truly necessary.

What Is Dental Aesthetics?

If problems in your oral and dental health bother you both aesthetically and functionally, the branch of dentistry that will restore them from this perspective and bring them as close as possible to their original state is aesthetic dentistry. Aesthetic dental treatments aim to rebuild the teeth and focus on returning damaged teeth as closely as possible to their original state, even if not exactly the same. The methods used during aesthetic dentistry treatments vary entirely according to the difficulty of the procedure and the nature of the dental problem in question. While treatments such as crowns, veneers, fillings and bridges can offer a solution for some oral and dental problems, in some cases aesthetic dental treatments alone are sufficient and enough to satisfy the patient. In the world of aesthetic dental treatment, also called restorative dental treatment, everything depends on the nature of the problem in the patient’s teeth and the root cause of the problem.

When Is Aesthetic Dental Treatment Performed?

The situations in which aesthetic dental treatment is used vary depending on the specific complaint the patient has. That is why it is not really possible or sound to draw a clear framework as to exactly when restorative dental treatments will be needed. Restorative procedures may come into play in cases where orthodontic treatments are insufficient or ineffective, and orthodontic or surgical intervention may also be needed in a case where only restorative dental treatment was planned.

It is possible to narrow down the frequently performed restorative dental treatments. First among these is filling the gaps of missing teeth. Whatever the procedure, the aim is always to preserve the original and natural teeth as much as possible. Of course, there are situations where this is not always possible; restorative dental treatment methods offered as an alternative to natural teeth come into play at this point. The most common restorative dental methods can be listed as follows:

• Veneers
• Implants
• Aesthetic fillings
• Inlays and onlays
• Bridges
• Dental prostheses

These methods are among the most frequently used methods for filling the gap of a missing tooth. However, which method will be preferred will of course be chosen by an experienced dental restoration dentist who is an expert in the field.

Why Should I Have Restorative Dental Treatment?

Restorative dental treatments provide many advantages to the patient. One of them is that they can prevent dental problems that could become more serious. Restorative dental treatments are of great importance for oral and dental health in terms of filling gaps in the mouth and preventing unwanted decay. In addition, missing tooth gaps seriously affect a person’s chewing. Since there is not as much surface area in the mouth as there should be, the person applies more pressure to their other natural teeth than they normally should. This once again shows how important it is to fill missing tooth gaps.

How Are Restorative Dental Treatments Performed?

All restorative dental treatment methods, especially restorative dental fillings, can be performed in different ways depending on the structure of the tooth in question and the root problem. In this context, the answer to the question of how restorative dental treatment is performed actually depends on the individual patient’s problem. However, when deciding which method to choose, both financial and physical factors must be taken into account. Many dentists will try to preserve the natural tooth structure as much as they can before concluding that restorative dental treatment is the final solution. In some special cases, dental prostheses become a more effective option, while in others the most ideal method may be an aesthetic filling, an inlay or an onlay. With the development and progress of technology, it is possible to come across dozens of different dental restoration methods today. Methods that restore damaged, worn or missing teeth aim to give the person an aesthetic and healthy smile. These methods can be listed as follows:

Direct Dental Restoration Treatments

In directly applied restorative dental treatments, a filling is placed directly into the tooth cavity. The treatment is mostly completed in a single session and is known as a minimally painful process. The dentist chooses between different types of filling according to the tissue, the size of the cavity and the location of the area where the filling will be placed. For example, for teeth that are not under constant pressure from chewing, materials such as glass or resin ionomer may be preferred.

Indirect Dental Restoration Treatments

In restorative dental treatments that are not direct, that is, indirect ones, intermediary appliances are used. These intermediary appliances can be crowns, onlays or inlays. Each of these methods, known as personalised cavity-filling appliances, serves a different purpose. Crowns cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth. Inlays are located at the most pointed tip (cusp) of the tooth. When we look at onlays, we can say that these appliances are used to cover more than one cusp of the tooth, including the chewing surface. Unlike direct treatment methods, indirect restorative dental treatments usually require more than one visit to the dentist. The reason is that inlays and onlays are produced in a clinical laboratory and designed to custom measurements.

Different materials can be used in the production of crowns, onlays and inlays. While gold is still used in some inlays so that the patient can get maximum benefit, porcelain and similar composite materials are preferred for other types of appliances.

One of the most modern tooth and gum treatments frequently used in dentistry is laser treatment. Laser dentistry is known as a set of treatments that offer functional, fast and effective solutions to problems that may occur in the teeth and gums. Although the word “laser” brings to mind contemporary and current technologies, laser dentistry has actually been actively used in treatment since the 1950s. Aiming to offer more comfortable treatment than traditional dental treatments, the laser stands out especially as a good alternative to drilling dental instruments such as the dental drill. Backed by today’s contemporary technology, laser dental treatment processes shorten dentistry processes in many areas, making them much more efficient and successful. If you too want to benefit from the advantages of the laser and have laser gum treatment, this guide is just right for you. What laser dental treatment is, how it is done, what treatment solutions it offers and who can be a candidate for laser dental treatments: all the details are in this article.

What Are Laser Tooth and Gum Treatments?

To better understand the answer to the question of what laser tooth and gum treatment is, it is necessary to explain what a laser is. “Laser” corresponds to the English word “laser”, based on the emission of electromagnetic radiation, which we can translate as optical light amplification. To put it more simply, laser beams transmitted with the help of a laser device are produced to emit narrow light energy focused on a single point. This light energy turns into a reaction in the form of beams and leads to changes in shape, form and tissue in the area the laser touches. In short, treatments applied with a laser consist of the beams emitted by focused and narrow light energy producing a change in form.

Since laser technology began to be used in dental treatments, it has continued to appear in many different areas of dental treatment. Treatment of tooth decay, dentine hypersensitivity (treatment of excessive sensitivity), gum disorders and teeth whitening are just a few of the dental treatments in which the laser is used. In this context, the laser, which can be included in many different procedures, allows you to achieve both faster and lower-cost results.

What Are the Types of Laser Dental Treatment?

* Laser Dental Fillings: Decayed teeth are identified, and the laser is used to assist while the filling is being done.

* Relief of Tooth Sensitivity: Teeth that are sensitive to excessive cold or heat are repaired from the tooth root with laser technology.

* Laser Removal of Tooth Inflammation: The inflammation inside the tooth is killed thanks to the laser, and the tooth regains its long-term health. For this, not only is no dental drill needed, but in many cases little or no local anaesthesia may be needed.

* Laser Treatment of Broken Teeth: With the laser method, changes in shape can be made on hard tissues. Laser beams help repair broken teeth and eliminate physical defects in the teeth.

* Laser Closure of Gaps Between Teeth: With the laser method, the hard tissues of the teeth are again treated, and the gaps between the teeth are closed through small changes in form.

* Laser Tooth Correction: Structural defects such as fractures, cracks and chipping are corrected with the laser.

* Laser Gum Trimming: The laser has become a frequently used method not only for tooth problems but also for gum problems. Laser gum trimming is performed in cases where the gums are too far forward or noticeably prominent.

* Laser Gum Cauterisation: Again, where the gums create an aesthetic problem, the method of cauterising the gums with a laser may be used.

* Laser Gum Surgery: Sometimes the gum problems people have may require surgical intervention. In such cases, the laser, the most modern method used, makes it possible to perform gum surgery without the need for incisions or stitches. Laser dental surgery is a less painful process compared with traditionally performed gum surgery.

* Laser Teeth Whitening: It is possible to have your teeth whitened using laser technology. Here too, with its burning effect, the laser removes stains and discolouration on the tooth surface and promises a whiter smile. Laser teeth whitening is known as the most preferred method among teeth whitening methods.

* Laser Dental Aesthetics: Many methods related to tooth and gum aesthetics can be carried out with laser technology.

In addition to these tooth and gum treatments, there are also specific oral and dental problems to which the laser is applied. To summarise the other oral and dental problems in which the laser is used:

* Tumour Removal: Thanks to the laser, benign tumours in the gums, palate, lips or the roof of the cheeks can be removed.

* Tissue Imaging: The laser technique is used in the new-generation imaging technique known as optical coherence tomography. It makes it possible to obtain more realistic and clearer images of the teeth.

* TMJ Treatment: TMJ is known as jaw joint disorder. In special cases, laser support may be used in TMJ treatment.

* Sleep Apnoea: Laser technology can be used in reshaping the throat, which is one of the solutions for sleep apnoea.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Tooth and Gum Treatment?

* The biggest advantage the laser offers is speed. The use of laser in tooth and gum treatments saves a great deal of time for both the dentist and the patient. Compared with conventional dental treatments, laser dental treatments take much less time.

* The laser does not require incisions, so stitches, the patients’ worst nightmare in gum surgery, are not even an issue. Since it requires much less cutting, laser tooth and gum surgery is less painful.

* Soft tissues are treated more easily and quickly, which promises comfort to the patient during treatment.

* As long as the procedure is not too complicated, there is not even a need to apply local anaesthesia to the patient.

* Laser beams also accelerate blood clotting. That is why minimal bleeding occurs in the area touched by the beam, which provides great convenience to the patient throughout the treatment process.

* Wounds opened with a laser heal much faster, so the patient’s recovery time and time to return to their routine life are shortened.

* It is an ideal tooth and gum treatment method for patients who may faint at the sight of blood or who are afraid of operations.

* In tooth and gum treatments performed with a laser, bacteria formation is much lower than with other traditional methods. While healing the area, the laser also sterilises it, preventing any bacteria from forming. In this way, the risk of inflammation or infection during the treatment process is reduced.

Unlike the obviously unaesthetic appearance of traditional braces, clear braces offer a much less visible orthodontic treatment. Clear braces are one of the methods used in the orthodontic treatment of patients who suffer especially from tooth alignment problems, and they emerged as an alternative to metal braces. If you would like to have dental aesthetic treatment but do not want your smile and physical appearance to be cosmetically affected during treatment, you can research clear dental aesthetic procedures and find out whether you are a suitable candidate. Today, clear braces lead the way among the most preferred and most popular orthodontic treatment methods.

What Are Clear Braces and What Do They Do?

Clear braces actually play the role of the most important key component of invisible orthodontic treatment. Clear brackets are basically used in clear brace treatment. To better understand the place of these brackets in invisible orthodontic methods, it is necessary to explain invisible orthodontics.

There are three basic methods among invisible orthodontic treatments: clear aligners, clear brackets and lingual orthodontic appliances. Lingual orthodontics uses appliances positioned on the inner side of the teeth rather than on the front. Although this method is not as widely used as traditional metal braces, it is recommended as the ideal orthodontic treatment in some specific cases. Clear aligner treatment, another invisible orthodontic treatment, consists of a series of plastic aligners. These clear aligners, also known as Invisalign or incognito, are given to the patient every two weeks and are to be used regularly. Each set of aligners is tighter than the previous one and is responsible for pushing the teeth towards the desired positions. Likewise, with clear aligners the person gains great aesthetic comfort, since these aligners are so transparent and thin that they are almost invisible to the naked eye.

Finally, another method among invisible orthodontic treatments is the clear brace method discussed here. To define it in its simplest form, clear braces are actually transparent versions of conventionally used metal braces. Thanks to this, clear braces, which are less visible, promise the patient comfortable and aesthetic use.

What Are the Types of Clear Braces?

Clear braces, which are roughly the transparent and less visible version of metal brackets, are designed and produced by orthodontic specialists who have specialised in this field and come out of clinical laboratories made to custom measurements. The bracket material used in the production of clear braces is a very important factor for the success of the treatment. When making this decision, the orthodontic specialist should identify the patient’s specific problem, find the root of the problem and ensure that a suitable type of clear brace is produced. Brackets made of hard plastic are the lowest-cost brackets, which is why they are known as the most budget-friendly type among clear brace prices. However, plastic brackets may in some cases fall short of the desired performance in terms of flexibility. Since plastic can behave more flexibly than necessary, it may fail to guide the teeth exactly to the desired position and direction. This can prevent clear brace treatment from achieving one hundred percent success.

Another material used in clear brace treatment is ceramic. Ceramic, which has made a name for itself as one of the most reliable and durable materials when it comes to orthodontic treatment, lives up to this reputation in clear brace treatments as well. Unlike plastic, ceramic brackets perform much more successfully in terms of flexibility. Clear ceramic brackets, which work firmly in pushing the teeth to the desired position, provide high success, especially when they are well made. However, it is worth noting that ceramic brackets must be bonded and fixed to the teeth very well during application. Even the slightest gap in the mouth can cause the patient serious discomfort in the long term.

Finally, another material used in clear brace treatment is sapphire. Although it does not have as wide an area of use as plastic or ceramic, sapphire is also a material used in clear braces that delivers good results. Of course, sapphire is the material with the highest cost and price among the three materials we have listed. Since it is a material that provides high efficiency in terms of both aesthetics and performance, sapphire can also be preferred in clear braces despite its high price.

Your dentist will, of course, decide which of these three materials is more suitable for you.

How Is Clear Brace Treatment Done?

Clear brace treatment is a procedure consisting of several stages. In the application of clear braces, almost exactly the same stages are followed as in the application of metal braces. The most basic difference between these two treatment methods is, of course, the material used. In metal braces, both the brackets and the wires holding the brackets are made of metal. In clear brace application, the brackets can be made of porcelain, plastic or sapphire, which provide transparency.

As we have just mentioned, clear brace treatments are applied in stages, just like metal braces. Your knowledgeable and experienced dentist first examines your mouth comprehensively, identifies the nature of the tooth alignment problems and decides on the most suitable treatment plan. After it is decided that you are a suitable candidate for clear braces, detailed measurements are taken of your mouth and teeth. The measurements taken are sent to the clinical laboratory and production of the clear braces begins. In some cases, depending on personal requests, the wires that will hold the clear brackets may also be requested in a different colour.

After production is completed and the clear braces are delivered to your orthodontic specialist, it is time for them to be placed on your teeth. Each bracket is carefully and meticulously placed on the teeth one by one and fixed. After the fixed clear braces take their final position in your mouth, your clear brace treatment is complete. As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions and take all their recommendations into account, your treatment is expected to be completed in about 6 months on average. Of course, in more complicated tooth alignment problems, this treatment period may be longer.

As in every field, technology continues to make itself felt in dentistry and to contribute positively to the treatments carried out in dentistry. Digital dentistry makes it possible to provide dental treatment with fast, modernised and digital methods. Thanks to digital dentistry, which integrates the most advanced technologies of the 21st century, dental treatments are becoming much faster, more innovative and simpler. Digital dentistry methods, known as Cerec and CAD-CAM systems, are widely used, above all in orthodontic treatments, and in processes such as implant treatment and dental prosthesis treatment. In this article you can find the answers to questions such as what digital dentistry is, what CAD-CAM and Cerec systems do and what their benefits are.

What Is Digital Dentistry?

Digital dentistry is also known as digital dental design. At the heart of digital dentistry lies CAD-CAM technology. In this context, to better understand digital dentistry, we first need to look at what CAD-CAM is and what it does.

CAD CAM is a technology that serves to move a product from the theoretical stage to the production stage. CAD-CAM systems are actually a technology found not only in the world of digital dentistry but in many different sectors. At the core of this technology lies the logic of taking a product or object from its abstract stage and making it concrete and bringing it to the level of production. To do this, many different computer programs, technological devices and software are needed.

What Are CAD CAM and Cerec Systems and How Do They Work?

As you can see from its name, the CAD CAM system consists of two different stages: the CAD stage and the CAM stage.

CAD: CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. This stage involves the design of the product that is planned to be created. The design is carried out with the support of computer software. When it comes to dentistry, digital three-dimensional imaging and digital impression design are carried out exactly at this stage. It is the part that represents the software and tangible component of digital dentistry.

CAM: CAM, which stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing, forms the second step of CAD CAM procedures. In this step, all the digital three-dimensional images that have been created start to be made concrete. After the digital dental impression, physical production suited to these measurements begins in the CAM stage. At the end of production, a treatment route is drawn up depending on the procedure to be performed. Cerec 3D dental applications, digitally assisted implant planning or dental prosthesis plans are also planned and put into practice at this stage. CAD-CAM systems are an advanced technology that enables all these design, planning and production systems to be processed as quickly as possible.

How Are Digital Dentistry Applications Performed?

Because it offers the patient a brand-new, healthy and modern mouth and tooth design, CAD CAM technology is regarded as a very successful method in the world of dentistry. Of course, the advantages brought by digital dentistry only become clearer and more understandable when you look at the processes before digital dentistry. For example, before digital dentistry technologies, carrying out a restoration in the mouth and teeth meant an extremely time-consuming and burdensome process. First, an impression of the mouth was taken manually, plaster was poured into the impression, a tooth model was created from scratch, and a tooth design was created on this model using primitive, wax-like materials. When the manufacturing stage of this model was reached, the design was transferred into a special tooth mould and shaped entirely by hand, without the support of any technological or robotic device.

Since digital impression systems came into play, all the stages described as burdensome in this process have disappeared, leaving a much more technological, autonomous treatment process with a lower margin of error. Thanks to digital dentistry technologies, the restoration process has become almost completely mechanised and therefore faster and easier. The impressions and data taken from the mouth and teeth are integrated into computer software with the help of 3D scanners, and for the rest of the design stages, a completely computer-aided production stage follows. With the use of modern smart devices, especially milling machines, the design and production stages are completed quickly and as they should be.

At the core of the CAD CAM and Cerec system lies the logic of three-dimensional imaging. Thanks to 3D optical scanners, cameras are placed inside the patient’s mouth and three-dimensional images of the mouth are taken. These images are then processed through suitable computer software, transferred to a virtual environment and move into production in the digital dental laboratory.

CAD CAM or Cerec application can be integrated into many different areas of dentistry and treatment plans. These include important and common dental treatment methods such as bridges and crowns, inlay and onlay applications, laminate veneers, porcelain tooth renewals, prostheses and implants. The CAD CAM system, which promises great convenience to dentists and orthodontic specialists especially in the world of orthodontics, is also useful in detecting pathology. Thanks to the CAD CAM system, the dentist can notice a suspicious tissue detected in the patient’s teeth or gums and, by sending it to the digital dental laboratory, obtain detailed information about the type of tissue.

What Are the Advantages of CAD CAM and Cerec Technology?

Of course, being technological and innovative is among the features that make the CAD CAM system successful and distinctive. Digital dentistry processes have become widespread and popular, especially recently, as dentists want to offer more practical and effortless orthodontic treatment. Digital dentistry consists of three different stages, digital scanning, digital design and digital production, and brings many benefits with it. Here are some of the advantages of digital dentistry:

It shortens treatment time: One of the biggest advantages that digital dentistry procedures offer both the patient and the dentist is that they shorten treatment time. The planning stage of orthodontic treatment, which as standard is expected to be completed in at least 2–3 visits to the dentist, can be completed in just a single session thanks to digital dentistry. The CAD CAM and Cerec computer software used in the treatment planning stage can create the patient’s entire treatment plan in as little as 2 hours, unless any unusual situation arises. This is an important and great advantage for the dentist at least as much as for the patient.

It uses ecologically suitable materials: Tooth designs obtained with the Cerec application are the kind that reassure patients who may have aesthetic concerns during orthodontic treatment. Digital tooth designs, created using entirely ecological and organic materials, are solutions with the most natural-looking appearance and create an aesthetic look. The materials used by the CAD CAM system in the production stage are biologically safe, so they do not pose any harm or danger to the patient’s health.

It goes through more innovative processes than traditional tooth design methods: In digital tooth design processes, wax and similar materials are not used as in traditional tooth design. Instead, measurements are taken at a micro level with high-resolution, laser-assisted cameras, and the process is no longer tiring and laborious.

The margin of error is minimised because there is no human factor: Since all CAD CAM processes are autonomous and there is no “human” factor involved, the risk of human-related errors is minimised.

Tooth crowding is an oral and dental problem that can appear especially in children and adolescents, and can occur with the loss of baby teeth and their subsequent replacement by permanent teeth. Crowded teeth can appear in almost 1 out of every 2 children and can cause major problems for the child both aesthetically and functionally. One of the biggest causes of crooked teeth is, of course, hereditary and genetic factors. However, crowded teeth problems can cause great distress not only for children but also for their parents. In our article, you can find the answers to your questions such as what crowded teeth are, how crowded teeth are treated, how crowded teeth can be corrected and what should be done to prevent them.

What Are Crowded Teeth?

Crowded teeth are also commonly referred to as crooked teeth. In childhood, after all the baby teeth fall out, the permanent teeth erupt and take their places. The condition in which permanent teeth erupt and settle in a crooked way during this positioning is called tooth crowding. Crowded teeth can vary according to their causes. Since tooth crowding is a very common dental problem, many different solutions for it have started to be developed in the world of orthodontics.

Why Do Crowded Teeth Occur?

– Genetic Factors

The most common cause of tooth crowding is genetic, that is, hereditary factors. A mismatch between jaw size and tooth width in the child is one of the most important factors affecting genetic factors. Another is respiratory problems that negatively affect the development of the jaw. If the person has a factor in the nasal passage that obstructs breathing, it first affects the upper jaw and then the lower jaw, preventing them from developing within normal standards. This prevents the teeth from lining up properly.

– Early Extraction of Baby Teeth

Another common cause of crowded teeth is the extraction of a child’s baby teeth earlier than it should be. If your child’s baby teeth were extracted through outside intervention before their normal time to change, there is a very high chance that the permanent teeth that will replace them will erupt crooked. Under normal conditions, extracting baby teeth before their time, if there is no extreme situation, is an extremely wrong form of treatment. Since baby teeth hold space for the new teeth coming from underneath, they actually act as a buffer that prevents crowding. As a result, the neighbouring teeth that occupy the place where the permanent teeth should be prevent the permanent tooth from erupting. In this case, the permanent tooth starts to move towards any gap it can find and erupts irregularly. Early extraction of baby teeth is an approach that leads to the complete disruption of the organic system in the mouth.

– Decay in Baby Teeth

Sometimes visible decay can form on the contact surfaces between baby teeth. When not treated in time, this decay also spreads to the neighbouring teeth and causes them to shift towards the gap created by the lost tooth tissue. These shifts cause the tooth alignment problem created by the decayed teeth and represent the beginning of the crowded teeth problem. That is why decay that may form in baby teeth should never be taken lightly, and one should not avoid having it treated with the logic of “it will fall out anyway”.

In Which Cases Is Tooth Crowding Treatment Used?

• Visible and easily noticeable crookedness in the teeth
• Gums and gapped teeth showing when smiling
• Difficulty closing the mouth
• Chewing and biting problems caused by the relationship between the jaws and the teeth
• Severe mouth breathing
• Speaking and swallowing with the tongue pushed between the front teeth
• Early extraction of baby teeth in childhood
• The incisors touching each other vertically when the back teeth are closed
• Having family members who have experienced similar tooth crowding problems
• Having gaps from missing teeth in the mouth

What Are the Treatment Methods for Tooth Crowding?

When it comes to gapped and crowded teeth, it is possible to come across many different treatments for crooked teeth. First of all, you need to know that correcting crowded teeth is a long process that requires patience and time, so working with experienced orthodontists is a great advantage.

The primary treatment method for tooth crowding is braces. When crowding occurs in the teeth, the first method used and preferred is having braces fitted. Brace treatment can be applied to people of all ages; that is, theoretically, it is possible to apply brace treatment to every patient regardless of their age. However, it is worth noting that if the problem in the patient’s teeth is caused by a skeletal condition, the patient’s age should also be taken into account. For example, the patient may need a more surgical procedure due to a skeletal problem. Of course, the final decision here will be made by an orthodontic specialist who is an expert and experienced in the field.

Thanks to developing technological methods and the modernising world of dentistry, wire-free treatment methods for crowded teeth have also recently begun to be developed. Wire-free orthodontic treatments, which provide an aesthetic solution to crowded teeth, are methods that patients flock to, especially adults who do not want to put themselves in a physically sensitive position by using metal wires and brackets. While wire-free tooth crowding treatments promise the patient results as effective and successful as braces, they also eliminate all the patient’s doubts and concerns about wearing braces. Orthodontic solutions such as clear brackets, clear aligners and lingual orthodontic methods have become techniques whose popularity has increased among crowded teeth treatments, especially recently.

What Should Be Considered After Crowded Teeth Treatment?

To preserve the straight teeth you have achieved after long efforts and trouble, and to always protect their beauty, there are important points that you, as a conscious patient, need to pay attention to after treatment. Here are some of them:

• If there are cavities in your teeth before starting treatment, you need to have them treated and only then start the treatment. In this way, you maximise the benefit you will get from your orthodontic treatment and you will not have to deal with cavities separately after the treatment is completed.
• You need to take very good care of the appliances used during treatment or recommended for use after treatment. If your dentist has given you specific instructions on the use of the appliance, it is very important that you follow these instructions to the letter and maintain the appliance regularly.
• After your treatment is completed, you should take extra care of your oral and dental health, brush your teeth regularly and not neglect the use of dental floss and mouthwash.
• Some orthodontic treatments come with a retention treatment period. During this process, you should be patient, follow the procedures you need to follow throughout the process and remember that the process is part of your treatment.
• After your orthodontic treatment, unless your dentist states otherwise, you should have regular check-ups every month for the first 6 months.
• If any breakage, detachment, damage or loosening occurs in the appliance you use, you should inform your dentist directly and have the damaged part repaired.