The Difference Between Traditional Orthodontics and Facial Growth Orthodontics

Many people are familiar with traditional orthodontics, especially braces. However, facial growth orthodontics is another method your dental professional can use to correct jaw problems. The two types of treatment are different.

What is facial growth orthodontics?

Facial growth orthodontics is an approach to correcting jaw position problems. These issues are sometimes hereditary, though environmental factors can influence their development.

Problems that facial growth orthodontics can address

Some examples of jaw problems that facial growth orthodontics can treat include:

• Underbites, overbites, and crossbites
• Mouth breathing
• Sleep apnea
• Smaller airway volume

The three main aspects that dental health professionals work to correct are:

• Nasal breathing: Breathing through the nose is better for your health. It prevents the mouth from drying out and provides more blood oxygenation.
• Tongue posture: The tongue naturally rests at the top of the mouth, enabling better breathing.
• Lip seal: A proper sealing of the lips helps your facial development, improves breathing, and aids tooth eruption.

When any one of these three factors is not in place, tooth and jaw problems can result.

Causes of jaw problems

Sometimes, underdeveloped jaws are a result of heredity. If your parents had bite issues, they might have passed them along to you. However, according to research at Stanford University, modern lifestyles can influence jaw development. People do not use their jaws in the same ways as their ancestors did. Chewing softer, processed foods and sleeping on pillows and comfortable mattresses can prevent jaws from developing the same way they did even 150 years ago.

Fortunately, you do not have to sleep on the ground to correct jaw issues. Treatment with facial growth orthodontics can help.

Tools used in facial growth orthodontics

Dental health professionals can use appliances to correct jaw development and help the patient's teeth align. Some of the tools available include:

• Palate expanders: These appliances fit the roof of the mouth and are adjusted regularly to encourage bone to grow between the palate's two halves and expand the jaw.
• Lower jaw expander: This tool moves the lower teeth apart.
• Orthodontic headgear: This type of appliance corrects jaw problems from the outside of the mouth, applying pressure where needed.

How are facial growth orthodontics different than traditional orthodontics?

You are probably familiar with traditional orthodontics, including braces. They are brackets applied to individual teeth and connected with a wire. The continuous but gradual pressure moves the teeth into a more natural and functional position.

Aligners are another form of traditional orthodontics. They are removable trays that fit over the teeth.

Traditional orthodontics moves the teeth through the bone by applying pressure. Facial growth orthodontics puts pressure on a nerve in the palate to stimulate bone growth. The changes occur not only in the upper jaw but throughout the middle of the face.

Conclusion

You have many treatment options if you have misaligned teeth, an improper bite, breathing problems, or jaw irregularities. It is a good idea to talk to your dental health professional to discuss the choices available to you. No matter your concerns, your dentist can help you find a way to correct problems and improve your smile.

Request an appointment here: https://siegertdental.com or call Siegert Dental at (608) 394-3943 for an appointment in our Onalaska office.

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