Functional Orthodontics

FUNCTIONAL ORTHODONTICS is a philosophy that focuses on a healthy airway, proper jaw function, lip posture, facial aesthetics, and optimal tooth alignment.  Our experience has demonstrated a TWO PHASE approach works best for achieving the best possible results.

Functional Appliances Age 6 to 12

Early treatment should be initiated for:   

• Narrow arches and narrow smiles
• Crooked teeth
• Deep overbite
• Underdeveloped lower jaw
• Underdeveloped upper jaw
• Snoring and sleep apnea
• Thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or lip biting habits
• TMJ problems including popping jaw joints

 PHASE II

Braces Age 12 to 14

Teeth are straightened with braces for 1 to 2 years

BENEFITS OF CHILDRENS ORTHODONTICS

• ELIMINATE CROWDING

Crowded teeth are caused by narrow arches.  By developing the arches at an early age, we may prevent or reduce the crowding of permanent teeth.  Another advantage is that early treatment often eliminates the need to remove any adult teeth

• CORRECT UNDERDEVELOPED JAWS

Almost 50% of children who need orthodontic treatment due to a bad bite have underdeveloped lower jaws.  Functional appliances can reposition the lower jaw forward, improve the child's profile and correct the bite problem with no extractions or surgery in the majority of cases.

• BEAUTIFUL SMILES

Children with narrow arches need to wear a functional appliance to expand their arches to make more room for all the permanent teeth and create beautiful broad smiles.

• HEALTHY JAW

Many children with narrow jaws, deep overbites or receding lower jaws have unhealthy jaw joints which can cause:

• Headaches
• Neck Pain
• Dizziness
• Earaches
• Ear Ringing
• Clicking

Early use of functional appliances can solve these problems.

INITIAL PRE-TREATMENT RADIOGRPAH                SAME INDIVIDUAL AFTER 2 YEARS OF TREATMENT          

• NO MORE SNORING

Children with an airway obstruction such as enlarged tonsils often snore which can lead to sleep apnea.  This frequently causes poor sleep habits, excessive daytime fatigue and inability to concentrate in school.

• HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM

Children are often self conscious about their crooked teeth and underdeveloped lower jaws.  Early treatment can improve their self-esteem which is extremely important when they are actively growing and interacting with other children.

• ELIMINATE NEED FOR EXTRACTIONS

Functional appliances develop arches and make room for all permanent teeth, thereby eliminating the need for extraction of permanent teeth.

• PREVENT SPEECH PROBLEMS

Narrow jaws result in less room for the tongue, which can interfere with normal speech.  Functional appliances can expand the arches, make more room for the tongue and ensure normal speech.

• SHORTER TREATMENT TIME

It is preferable to treat orthodontic problems early as this reduces time in fixed braces and reduces the total cost.