In the FAQ section, we discussed what it means to be an orthodontist, but what about specializing in dentofacial orthopedics? Specializing in dentofacial orthopedics is a special distinction earned by orthodontists who have received their orthodontic specialization in dental school, and have completed a two to three year orthodontic residency program.

Dentofacial orthopedics is the process of normalizing the growth of a patient’s bone structure and helping improve any imbalances. This process sometimes involves a two-phase treatment and may begin when the patient is seven to ten years old.

Dentofacial Orthopedics for Children

Children are often the best candidates for receiving dentofacial orthopedic therapy. Beginning at a young age, your orthodontist will examine and monitor your child’s facial growth to determine when starting treatment will be most effective. If your child begins orthodontic treatment before all adult teeth have erupted, it is known as phase-one treatment. During phase-one treatment, your orthodontist will use methods designed to improve your child’s jaw growth and make future treatment less complicated.

Dentofacial Orthopedics for Adults

Dentofacial orthopedics is also used to treat adults; however, this process may involve surgery. In children, the jaw bones are still forming and have not completely hardened, making it easier for orthodontists to influence bone growth and tooth movement. Adults, however, are no longer growing, and their jaw bones have hardened making it more of a challenge to adjust the bite and move teeth into proper alignment if the facial bones are misaligned.

Surgery may be used to adjust the jaw bones and establish the proper bite alignment, along with a braces treatment. With dentofacial orthopedics, adults can still achieve the beautiful smile they’ve always wanted.

To learn more about dentofacial orthopedics, and to find out if this type of treatment is right for you, please contact our office and schedule a consultation.

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