Dentofacial Orthopedics Palm Harbor
Guiding the Growth of the Smile
When you think about orthodontic care, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably braces. Indeed, braces and similar treatments, such as clear aligners, can do much to address problems with the teeth and jaws. However, some of those problems can be avoided or addressed via another type of treatment known as dentofacial orthopedics. Dr. Johnson and our Palm Harbor team are proud to offer this service. Continue reading below to learn more about how it works and how it might benefit your child. We also invite you to contact us to request a consultation for your child.
Why Choose Dr. Alex Johnson Orthodontics for Dentofacial Orthopedics?
- Holistic Orthodontic Care
- Orthodontist with 3 Decades of Experience
- Friendly, Boutique Orthodontic Office
What Is Dentofacial Orthopedics?
Traditional orthodontics focuses on the movement of the teeth, while dentofacial orthopedics is concerned more with facial growth and development. If your child’s jaws are not properly aligned, or if there is a problem with the structure of their face, Dr. Johnson can use a series of treatments designed to correct the growth of the bone. In turn, this can address future tooth alignment problems and correct issues like overbites, underbites, and more. Early intervention can even reduce the chances that corrective jaw surgery will be needed in the future.
Dentofacial orthopedics usually begins around the ages of eight or nine, when a child still has some baby teeth but has started to grow some adult teeth as well. We may need to take impressions and scan your child’s mouth before moving forward with any sort of treatment plan.
Types of Dentofacial Orthopedic Appliances
There are a few different appliances that can be used as part of dentofacial orthopedic treatment. Some of the most common ones include:
- Palate expanders. If your child’s upper jaw is too narrow, they might need to use a palatal expander, which applies gentle pressure to the jaw in order to influence its growth. It can widen the palate and, as the bone continues to develop, the positive changes brought about by the palate expander should be permanent.
- Lower jaw expanders. As the name implies, a lower jaw expander influences growth of the lower jaw. It can be used to create a more harmonious bite and ensure that there is enough room in the lower dental arch for all the incoming adult teeth.
- Activators are small appliances that move the upper or lower jaw forward. They can also guide the eruption of incoming adult teeth.
Benefits of Dentofacial Orthopedics
Some of the most outstanding benefits of dentofacial orthopedics include:
- Proper alignment of jaws and teeth. This promotes the prevention of issues such as overbites and underbites.
- Guidance for facial growth and development. This helps establish a balanced and harmonious facial structure.
- Reduced risk of surgical intervention. Early treatment decreases the likelihood of corrective jaw surgery later in life.
- Space for incoming adult teeth. When all the teeth have adequate space, they can function properly and be at a reduced risk of breakage and decay.
- Enhanced oral functionality. A well-aligned smile promotes proper chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
- Boosted self-confidence. Properly developed teeth and jaws look good and can help your child have confidence in their appearance.