Forward Orthodontics
The first question we often get about braces is “HOW” we do them, with brackets, aligner, etc. At Live Well Dental Center, we start the conversation with “WHY?”
Although there is always a genetic component to growth and development, function plays a huge role in how the jaw grows and develops. Things like how you swallow, tongue function and posture at rest, breathing through the nose, are all vital functions that need to be optimized to treat the root cause of teeth being misaligned.
The upper arch form of the jaw should mimic the shape of the tongue – a U-shape. The tongue should rest 24/7 up against the palate. When the tongue rests in a low position, e.g. when breathing through the mouth, the upper arch can collapse in a V-shape.
| TRADITIONAL ORTHODONTICS | AIRWAY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT |
|---|---|
| One phase of either brackets or aligners, starting when all baby teeth are out. | Start early, 5-6 yrs old to improve function, so that growth potential of the jaws can occur to allow all the teeth to come in with enough space. |
| “Orthodontic movement” - to move teeth through jawbone. | “Orthopedic movement” use the teeth to encourage jaw growth. |
| Use of headgear, elastics and extractions are used to pull teeth back. | Use of myobrace, myofunctional therapy, ALF, functional appliances to encourage jaw growth in a forward direction. |
| One stop shop to straight teeth. | May need referrals to other providers, like ENT doctors, sleep doctors, myofunctional therapists. |
| Predictable result of straight teeth, retainers are essential to maintain. | Goal to have straight teeth, retained by normal function… much more difficult to achieve perfect results. |
