Dentofacial orthopedic treatment corrects disparities in jaw growth that impact the alignment of the bite and the look of the face. The posture of the upper and lower jaws should ideally be wider and forward, respectively.
However, biting malocclusions can result from uneven growth, which standard braces might not be able to entirely address.
In such cases, orthodontic treatments may be needed, such as using specialized equipment or procedures to effectively address these issues at Onshore Orthodontics and achieve optimal alignment and function.
Detecting Abnormal Jaw Growth
The ideal time to detect abnormal jaw growth in children is between ages 7 and 9, when both baby and adult teeth are present.
Early detection enables orthodontists to assess the need for intervention or monitoring through impressions and 3D scans.
As jaw growth typically ceases by ages 14 to 21, early intervention is crucial. Dentofacial orthopedic appliances can guide jaw development in children, while adults often require surgical intervention for correction.
Appliances used for dentofacial orthopedic treatment
1) Palatal Expander
A palatal expander is a specially designed tool that divides the upper jaw of a child before it fuses. It is screw-activated, and when tension is built up, the palate progressively expands to provide space and alignment.
2) Bionator
The orthodontist may suggest a bionator device for your child’s jaw alignment correction if it is out of alignment.
The Bionator-I uses screws to extend the dental arches and lengthen and widen the jaws in order to treat overbite and deep bite.
The Bionator II is designed for open bites, fully covering the posterior teeth and leaving the anterior teeth uncovered, aiding in bite closure and repositioning the lower jaw.
3) Twin Block
A removable appliance called a twin block has distinct upper and lower parts that interlock to move the lower jaw forward. It exerts gentle pressure during biting, chewing, swallowing, and talking, stabilizing the jaw joints.
4) Headgear
Headgear is primarily used to correct overjets and overbites while creating space for new teeth. It attaches to metal hooks via a facebow and must be worn for at least 14 hours daily, typically after school and overnight.
5) Herbst and Forsus appliances
The Herbst appliance uses a metal tube and rod to correct large overbites by promoting lower jaw growth forward while pushing the upper jaw backward. The Forsus appliance functions similarly but employs spring coils and is fixed in place.
Jaw surgery with dentofacial orthopedic treatment
Jaw problems left uncorrected in childhood can result in speech difficulties, uneven tooth wear, dental damage, and TMJ pain.
Although adults have fewer options for bite correction, surgical interventions can yield significant results. Orthognathic surgery realigns the upper and lower jaws and can enhance facial appearance.
Upper jaw surgery involves cutting the bone above the teeth, enabling the roof of the mouth and upper teeth to shift as a unit for proper alignment with the lower teeth.
Lower jaw surgery, or mandibular osteotomy, addresses issues like a protruding or recessed jaw by cutting behind the molars to move the jaw forward or backward.
Plates and screws secure the bones during healing, and additional bone may be sourced from the patient’s hip or leg or reshaped from existing jawbone to ensure better fit and alignment.
