Functional
Orthodontics

Orthodontics is not just about straightening your teeth, it also may help other related symptoms like headaches, neck pains, & TMJ dysfunction.

More commonly known as “Braces”. Used to align and straighten teeth. Nearly 50% of the population, children and adults, have Malocclusions severe enough to warrant Braces/Orthodontics. Traditional Orthodontics usually postpones Orthodontic treatment until all of the permanent teeth have erupted. In some cases the extraction of teeth is necessary to gain lost space. While this “may” work in some cases it can easily overlook and hidden skeletal issues, such as an undiagnosed TMJ problem. Having Orthodontic treatment alone does not mean TMJ issues are resolved.

Not a term recognized by most patients… Functional orthodontics encompasses not only the alignment of teeth but the development of the jaws and supporting skeletal structures, “skeletal posture”. Lack of proper arch development is the nemesis of jaw issues and crowded teeth. There is not enough room for the teeth to erupt. Functional orthodontics uses appliances, in addition to braces, to help develop what was hindered as growth was taking place. It is best performed in two phases. In most cases teeth do not have to be extracted, thus allowing for proper occlusion, jaw alignment and jaw function.

• Phase 1
  Patients are fitted with oral appliances to develop the upper and lower jaw bones (maxilla and mandible). Treatment timeframes generally last from 9 to 18 months but sometimes last longer.
• Phase 2
  After the jaws have developed and all the permanent teeth have appeared, patients wear traditional braces to straighten their teeth, if needed. Treatment time typically lasts another 9 to 18 months, but may last several years in some cases.