| Early Treatment is Key! For several years, some dentists have been treating orthodontic problems with long established removable orthopedic appliances that guide the jaws to develop to their greatest genetic potential. Undersized jaws, when developed to a more normal size and shape, automatically create more room for the teeth. Chewing, speech, oral hygiene, facial form and profile are all greatly improved when the upper and lower jaws are the same size and come together properly. Remarkable results are seen in children when orthopedic treatment is begun in the formative years – age 4 to 11. With a thorough evaluation of a child’s teeth, jaw structure and necessary x-rays, an early diagnosis can be made so that carefully guided treatment can be delivered to prevent the problems caused by undersized jaws, muscle dysfunction and crowded teeth. It should also be noted that orthodontics when limited to just “braces” is usually not even begun until age 13 or 14. But by then, problems such as a deep bite, narrow arches, “bucked-out” teeth, retrusive lower jaws, crowded teeth, open bites, speech, and even insufficient nasal breathing are already established. The above problems can often be avoided or diminished by muscle and habit correction and orthopedic treatment during the formative years. Orthopedic techniques can also be used for older children and adults. There is still a potential for bone growth and development but changes may be slower or less dramatic due to an adult’s mature bone structure. Orthopedic treatment is rapidly becoming the technique of choice for the correction of the dental and skeletal problems mentioned above. Orthopedics using removable appliances allows easy cleaning of teeth and fewer cavities and little chance of tooth discoloration. Orthopedics can be used to treat problems that orthodontics cannot treat and will give a more stable result than orthodontics in most cases. While orthopedics does not usually produce a “finished case” it does very closely align the jaws and teeth so that when orthodontics is used the time spent in “braces” will be about one-half of the time spent by the usual orthodontic patient. Another meaningful advantage of orthopedics is the affordability as most cases are treated in two (2) phases. The first phase usually at age 4 – 10 focuses on the patients musculature, habits and facial bony structures. The second phase of care focuses on final alignment of the teeth with additional bony and facial growth changes as needed. Of course there is a retention time after each phase that is varied by each patients particular muscle habits and patterns.
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