Going beyond braces!

Facial Growth Orthodontics

Fix your smile without surgery! We offer patients both Fixed Growth Guided Appliance (FGGA) and Removable Growth Guided Appliances (RGGA).

What are facial growth orthodontics?

Facial growth orthodontics work through the use of appliances. These appliances, either fixed or removable, work to remodel mid-face and upper jaw growth by stimulating nerves in the palate. This nerve stimulation creates a micro-trauma, which causes the body to form new bone and soft tissue, which in turn helps to restructure and remodel growth in the upper jaw and the mid-face/nasomaxillary complex.

When the top jaw reaches its proper size, the lower jaw follows suit and begins to function correctly and comfortably.

Get the smile you deserve!

Through Facial Growth Orthodontics, the jaws can reach harmony in both physiological appearance and function. So you can have a smile that is both beautiful and healthy, too! Schedule your consultation today!

Schedule a consultation

Who is a good candidate?

There are several factors that determine if you are a good candidate for facial growth orthodontics.

  • Facial asymmetries, cranial strains or other craniofacial disharmonies
  • Crowded teeth
  • TMJD or TMJD symptoms
  • Sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea
  • Overdeveloped lower jaw (underbite)
  • A set-back or undersized lower jaw (overbite)
  • A chin that appears too small or a chin that appears too prominent
  • Mid-face deficiency (the upper jaw is too far back)
  • Flat face appearance
  • A jaw that appears poorly defined

Transformations

Marine, before and after
Deb, before and after combined
Dr. Alexandra George consulting with a patient

Did you know?

Did you know that more than 80 percent of our country's population has an underdeveloped upper jaw and suffers from midface deficiency? And that this significant rate of facial growth problems is much greater than those found in individuals living in remote areas not exposed to environmental pollutants, food preservatives and other outside factors that can interrupt facial growth? The outside factors can negatively affect the body - right down to your DNA. The good news is - these conditions can be corrected with our facial growth orthodontics!

Fix your smile without surgery. Schedule your consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is facial growth in dentistry?

Facial growth orthodontics involves the use of appliances that are either fixed or removable. These appliances put light pressure over a nerve in the palate, stimulating upper jaw growth or remodelling and creating micro-trauma that forces the body to form new bone and soft tissue in the entire mid-face/nasomaxillary region. 

Does face growth orthodontic treatment change your face?

The type of orthodontics Dr. Alex offers will more than likely change your face to look more balanced, youthful, and proportionate.

Can facial growth orthodontics improve jawline? Will my jawline become more defined?

Yes, facial growth orthodontics can improve your jawline, defining and repositioning it to a more attractive position. 

How long do facial growth orthodontics take to change your face?

The length of the treatment varies by case. While some may see significant improvement within 3 months, others may need to wait 6 months to a year before orthodontics begin to shift the teeth and facial structure. 

Why is growth important in orthodontics?

Facial growth can impact bite alignment and how teeth are positioned. Proper face and jaw growth are interrupted by things like mouth breathing, improper tongue posture, and even pollution in urban areas. 

When the “damage” happened as a child, and these problems aren’t addressed, what typically happens is an underdeveloped jaw and one or both jaws recessed.

Unlike traditional braces, which push and pull the teeth to achieve a straight smile, facial growth orthodontics considers the whole physiological development of the jaw and face. The primary goal is to support the growth of the top jaw to its proper size. The lower jaw then follows and begins to function properly. 

What can facial growth orthodontic treatment be used for?

Facial growth orthodontics can be used for treating and correcting:

  • Poor Sleep
  • TMJD pain
  • Facial pain
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Crossbites
  • Underbites
  • Overbites
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Premature facial aging
  • And more
How does facial growth orthodontic treatment work?

Facial growth orthodontics is a non-surgical method that stimulates jaw and face growth. At Pittsburgh Dentist, we offer:

  • Fixed Growth Guided Appliance (FGGA) A fixed appliance is often used to treat adults with an underdeveloped upper jaw. An FGGA expands the arch without needing to extract teeth, expanding the jaw on an axis from front to back.  
  • Removable Growth Guided Appliances (RGGA) This method is ideal for children who are still waiting for their adult teeth to come in. It helps develop a child’s airway and addresses the inability to properly close and open the mouth. 

 

How long does facial growth orthodontic treatment last?

The average time is 2-3 years.

How can I prevent my teeth from shifting after treatment?

Proper retention and tongue placement are needed to prevent teeth from shifting after treatment. Myofunctional therapy is a very important part of treatment – if it’s not practiced, you are prone to have your teeth shift after braces or in general.

What is myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy focuses on correcting improper functions of the tongue and facial muscles by teaching individuals how to engage and strengthen the muscles. Therapy helps place the tongue and orofacial muscles in the appropriate position. 

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders occur when the development of the dentition and the alignment of the teeth and jaw are interrupted, which can be due to a number of different factors. When a patient has had orthodontic work, relapse may occur if we don’t correct the myofunctional disorder, and the patient may need a second round of orthodontic work.