Quick answer
What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment moves teeth, and in growing children can guide jaw development, using fixed braces or removable clear aligners. It is used for crowded, spaced or protruding teeth and for bite problems. Teeth move slowly, so treatment usually takes months to a couple of years, with regular check-ups throughout and retainers afterwards to stop teeth moving back. The right option depends on the bite, which is assessed by examination and records.
- Where
- Vadistanbul Business Center, Sarıyer, Istanbul
- Options
- Fixed braces · clear aligners
- Duration
- Usually months to a couple of years; varies by case
- Afterwards
- Retainers, usually long term
- Languages
- Turkish · English (see the dentist’s profile)
Treatment options covered on this page
Fixed braces
Brackets and a wire attached to the teeth and adjusted at regular visits; suitable for a wide range of problems.
Clear aligners
A series of removable transparent trays, each worn for a set period; they depend on being worn for most of the day.
Read the guide: Clear alignersRetainers
Fixed wires or removable retainers that hold teeth in place after active treatment.
Who may be suitable?
- Children, teenagers and adults with crowded, spaced, rotated or protruding teeth.
- People with bite problems such as overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite.
- Adults planning veneers or crowns who could straighten teeth first instead of reshaping them.
- Patients able to attend regular check-ups and, with aligners, wear them consistently.
Who may not be suitable, or needs assessment first?
- People with active gum disease or untreated decay, until it is treated.
- Some severe jaw discrepancies need combined orthodontic and surgical treatment.
- Clear aligners are not suitable for every type of tooth movement; some cases need fixed braces.
- Patients who cannot attend check-ups over the course of treatment need a realistic plan before starting.
How is suitability assessed?
Suitability is assessed at an in-person orthodontic examination, with records such as photos, a scan or impressions and X-rays where needed. The dentist explains which option fits your bite, the likely duration and how often you would need to be seen. You can send photos on WhatsApp first for preliminary information, but an orthodontic plan cannot be made from photos alone.
What does treatment involve, step by step?
- 1Photos and preliminary information on WhatsApp.
- 2In-person orthodontic examination and records (photos, scan or impressions, X-rays where needed).
- 3Written treatment plan: the appliance, estimated duration, visit schedule and agreed cost; signed consent.
- 4Fitting braces, or starting the first set of aligners.
- 5Regular check-ups to adjust braces or review aligner progress.
- 6Removing braces or completing aligners, then fitting retainers.
How many visits does orthodontic treatment need if I live abroad?
Orthodontics is not a single-trip treatment. Braces need adjustment visits throughout treatment, and aligners need progress reviews. The interval and total duration depend on the case and are set by the treating dentist. If you live abroad, discuss before starting how often you would need to come to Istanbul, or whether part of the follow-up could be done by an orthodontist where you live.
What materials are used?
Braces may be metal or tooth-coloured ceramic brackets; aligners are made from transparent plastic trays produced for your teeth. The appliance and system are named in your treatment plan.
What are the alternatives?
Veneers or crowns
Can mask minor irregularities, but remove tooth structure and do not correct the bite.
Limited (front-teeth) orthodontics
Shorter treatment for some cosmetic cases; does not address the full bite.
No treatment
Reasonable when irregularities cause no functional or cleaning problem and do not bother you.
What are the risks?
- Teeth moving back (relapse) if retainers are not worn as instructed.
- White marks or decay around brackets if cleaning is poor during treatment.
- Soreness for a few days after adjustments or new aligners.
- Gum inflammation; in some patients, shortening of tooth roots.
- Treatment taking longer than estimated, particularly if aligners are not worn as instructed.
What is recovery like, and what aftercare is needed?
There is no surgical recovery. Expect pressure or soreness for a few days after each adjustment or new set of aligners. Cleaning around braces needs extra care, and aligners must be removed to eat and cleaned as instructed. After treatment, wearing retainers as prescribed is what keeps the result.
How long does the result last?
Teeth can move throughout life, so results are maintained by retainers, usually for the long term. Stopping retainer wear is the most common reason teeth move back.
What should international patients know before travelling?
- Ask before starting how many visits to Istanbul the plan requires, and over what period.
- Ask whether an orthodontist where you live could share the follow-up, and what records you would carry.
- Send photos of your teeth from the front and sides, and any previous orthodontic records.
- Keep your treatment plan, records and retainer instructions with you.
Who provides this treatment at Adil Dent?
Dentists whose published area of work covers this treatment:
Plan your visit in Vadistanbul
For a local appointment, share your preferred day and language. If you are travelling, ask the team to confirm your appointment schedule before booking transport. Ask for the building entrance and meeting point before setting out.
A booking request is not a confirmed appointment. The clinic team must confirm the date and time with you.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does orthodontic treatment take?
It varies with the problem being corrected and the appliance. Many cases take months to a couple of years. The treating dentist gives an estimate after the examination; adults and complex bites can take longer.
Are clear aligners as effective as braces?
For many cases they can be, but not for every type of movement, and they only work when worn for most of the day. The treating dentist will say whether aligners can achieve what your bite needs or whether braces are more suitable.
Do I need retainers after treatment?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back after braces or aligners, and retainers are what keep them in place. Your dentist will explain how long and how often to wear them; for many people this is long term.
Can I have orthodontic treatment if I live outside Turkey?
Possibly, but it needs planning, because braces need regular adjustments and aligners need progress checks. Agree the visit schedule before starting, and ask whether follow-up could be shared with an orthodontist where you live.
At what age should a child be assessed?
Many orthodontists suggest an assessment once the adult front teeth and first molars are coming through, so that problems with jaw growth can be spotted. Whether and when to treat depends on the child; an examination decides.
Sources for general information
These sources support the general clinical information on this page. Clinic-specific details come from Adil Dent Clinics.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Whether a treatment is suitable for you depends on a clinical examination. Outcomes, healing and longevity vary between patients.