Orthodontics and Orthopedics

Early Treatment Is The Key

Orthodontics, the movement and positioning of teeth in the dental arches, has become popular and necessary for the growing number of dental patients, most frequently for children and young adults. Usually the first concern of patients of parents is to correct an unaesthetic profile, a deep bite, crowded teeth, or unwanted oral habits from childhood.

Since the 1930’s orthodontic techniques have concentrated on moving and straightening teeth within the existing bony jaws, But to accomplish this, several primary teeth and very often some permanent teeth, had to be extracted because “there appeared to be too many teeth for the jaws.” But the jaws cannot develop to their fullest genetic potential of size and shape when teeth are removed! And it has been demonstrated that man’s jaw are developing less and less as we evolve. The jaws are getting smaller, but the teeth are staying the same size! This is one of the reasons why so many people have a poor bite, crowded teeth and nasal breathing difficulties.

Most recently, ORTHOPEDICS, the concept and treatment of bone growth and development, has been reinstituted to properly “develop” size and shape of the jaws. For many years* some dentists have been treating teeth alignment problems with newer removable/fixed 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, nasal breathing and profile are all greatly improved when the upper and lower jaws are the same size and come together properly at an early age.

*Dr. Herbst of Germany successfully used the earliest process of lower jaw development in 1905, we are returning to these early more natural processes.

Remarkable results are seen in children when orthopedic treatment is begun in the formative years – 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 the undersized jaws and crowded teeth. It should also be noted that active orthodontics with 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, crowded teeth, open bites, speech and insufficient nasal breathing are already established. The above problems can often be avoided or diminished by 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 will be much slower due to an adults mature bone structure. Adults will reposition their lower jaw where a child will generally grow where directed.

Orthopedic treatment is resurging as the technique of choice for the correction of the dental and skeletal problems mentioned above. Orthopedics using newer removable or fixed appliances allows easy cleaning of the teeth for 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. This would be the second phase, when all the permanent teeth have erupted into the jaws (age12-15). Other meaningful advantages of orthopedics are the low cost, for the first phase and usually better cooperation than with teenagers.

The application of orthopedics takes into account the patient’s total facial form and function and can prevent or correct complex problems with the combination of newer appliances and fixed braces.