Dental problems like underbites, overbites, and crossbites could take years and be quite painful to correct on adult patients. Orthodontics dental care treatments often rely on traditional procedures or maxillofacial TMJ jaw surgery. While braces can be an effective treatment in a child patient, gum tissue loss and loosening of the teeth is a potential issue with adults.
Technological advances in dentistry have allowed for non-surgical jaw correction in adult patients, as well as children and adolescents. Facial growth orthodontics, also known as jaw growth orthodontics or physiological orthodontics, makes jaw alignment and remodelling accessible for those who are looking for treatment without surgery.
The Difference between Facial Growth Orthodontics vs Traditional Orthodontics
During jaw growth and development, imbalances in the craniofacial structure can disrupt nasal breathing, lip seal, and proper tongue posture. When these three functions are interrupted, an underdeveloped upper jaw or an underdeveloped bottom jaw is common (also referred to as underbites and overbites).
Traditional orthodontic treatments require putting pressure on the teeth to move teeth through bone. Facial growth with orthodontics works with the physiology of the body. Light pressure is placed over a nerve in the palate to activate growth centres in the body to stimulate bone remodelling, not just in the top jaw but in the entire mid-face region.
What are the Results of Facial Growth Orthodontics?
Facial growth orthodontics can improve many of the problems that patients experience from bite issues such as TMJ pain, facial pain, sleep apnea, bad posture, headaches, migraines, decreased airway volume, and premature facial ageing.
By aligning the bite and stimulating growth in the jaw, facial growth orthodontics can also see improvements in:
• Development of the cheekbones
• Nasal breathing as nasal passageways open more fully
• Sleep breathing problems
• A more defined jawline
• fuller appearance of the lips and cheeks
• Decreased facial and smile lines
• Straightening of upturned noses
• A beautiful, healthier smile with straight teeth
Key Takeaways
Facial growth orthodontics is an effective treatment option that can unlock a patient’s genetic growth potential of the upper jaw without expensive surgery or braces. The successful treatment addresses a range of other issues resulting from a misaligned bite. Your family dentist can assess your oral health history and your unique dental needs to see if facial growth orthodontics is the right treatment option for you.
