As a parent, you want the best for your child—health, happiness, and a bright future. What you may not realize is that proper dental and facial development can have a big impact on their well-being, confidence, and overall quality of life. Dentofacial orthopedics is a specialized approach that can help guide your child’s growth, ensuring not only a beautiful smile but also improved oral health. By addressing concerns early, you can set your child on a path to a lifetime of better dental health, enhanced self-esteem, and a brighter future. It’s never too early to invest in their well-being, and understanding the benefits of dentofacial orthopedics can help you make informed decisions about your child’s dental development.
What Is Dentofacial Orthopedics?
To understand dentofacial orthopedics, it’s helpful to first break down the term. “Dento” refers to teeth, “facial” refers to the face, and “orthopedics” pertains to doctors who specialize in bone health. Together, dentofacial orthopedics focuses on treatments that guide the growth and development of the facial bones and jaw, with an emphasis on dental structures.
Dentofacial orthopedics goes beyond traditional orthodontics. While traditional orthodontics focuses primarily on tooth movement, dentofacial orthodontics addresses structural issues of the jaw and face.
Adults can benefit from dentofacial orthopedics, but the primary demographic for treatment is children. Because dentofacial orthopedics aims to help guide bone growth, it’s easier to treat children and adolescents whose bones are still growing. Since adults have fully developed bones, they may have to undergo surgical orthodontics, depending on the severity of their issue.
Dentofacial orthopedics commonly treats malocclusion, which is also referred to as a misaligned bite. Malocclusion can occur for several reasons and can negatively impact your quality of life. There are different types of malocclusion, such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. At Orthodontist Associates of Western New York, we offer various treatments for dentofacial orthopedics.
Treatment Options for Dentofacial Orthopedics
There are two phases of treatment for dentofacial orthopedics.
Phase I
Phase I is considered early intervention. It occurs around the age of seven or eight if your child has not lost all of their baby teeth. This stage focuses on guiding the proper growth of bones in the jaw.
Phase II
Phase II aims to align and straighten the teeth. It includes the use of traditional braces or even clear aligners.
- Braces: Traditional metal braces are an efficient way to align a bite. They are a popular orthodontic treatment for many reasons, including their high effectiveness and 90% success rate. Metal braces are also versatile devices, allowing us to realign teeth with a high degree of precision. They can tackle various orthodontic issues, such as overcrowding, gaps between teeth, crossbite, overbite, and underbites.
- Clear aligners: Clear aligners, like Invisalign®, are also effective and can gradually adjust tooth position for mild to moderate cases. They are a discreet and convenient way to correct orthodontic issues.
Treatment for correcting misaligned bites generally lasts 6-12 months, provided it begins when the patient is between 8 and 10 years old. Starting treatment at this age allows us to more easily correct malocclusion and ensures the best outcomes for your child.
The Benefits of Dentofacial Orthopedics
Dentofacial orthopedics offers many benefits, especially when issues are detected early. Gentle, painless treatments can guide jaw growth and create space for crowded teeth, preventing more serious issues later. Proper bite alignment helps the jaws work together smoothly, reducing the risk of future dental complications. Straight teeth are also easier to clean, which can help your child take better care of their oral health. Perhaps most importantly, early intervention can often eliminate the need for invasive, complex surgeries down the road, making treatment easier and more effective in the long run.
Another benefit of dentofacial orthopedics is its ability to prevent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a series of conditions that affect the muscles and joints controlling jaw movement. By guiding jaw development early, dentofacial orthopedics helps ensure proper alignment. This reduces strain on the TMJ and lowers the risk of issues like jaw pain, clicking, and difficulty chewing.
From a better smile to improved function and long-term health, early treatment sets your child up for a healthier, happier future.
Schedule a Free Screening With Orthodontist Associates of WNY
Taking the steps to invest in your child’s dental and facial health today can lead to a lifetime of benefits. Dentofacial orthopedics helps ensure a straighter smile and supports your child’s overall well-being. From improved breathing to better sleep and reduced risk of long-term dental issues, the benefits are plenty. Early intervention is key—by addressing potential problems before they become more serious, you’re setting your child up for a healthier, happier future.
If you’re ready to learn more about how dentofacial orthopedics can make a positive difference in your child’s life, schedule a free screening with Orthodontist Associates of Western New York today. Let us help guide your child toward a brighter, healthier future!
