Adult Braces

What is It?

While orthodontics is a focus on the teeth themselves, orthopaedic treatments focus on the jaws. In particular they are designed to influence the growth and shape of the jaws.

With nearly one third of the world having issues with irregular shape and size of the jaws, in particular the lower jaw, it is a growing field of study and practice. The goal of orthopaedic treatments of the jaws is to help correct the disparities between the upper and lower jaws that create misalignment.

Typically treatment would begin in the patient’s younger years, as they jaws are still going through growing phases. The methods that can be used would depend on the individual and are discussed with the patient and guardian.

Advantages

1. Bringing the jaws into proper alignment can dramatically improve not just the appearance of the persona’s smile, but can also alter their facial features as well.
2. It is less traumatic than having to perform surgery to correct issues in older patients that are no longer growing.
3. Used in combination with braces, or alone, orthopaedic treatments can have a remarkable effect in improving the overall appearance of the lower face and smile. For example can eliminate over and under bites that create unsightly misalignments and affect the patient’s appearance.
4. Even though they are typically done during the growth period, they are also treatment options for older patients as well.

What is It?

When regular orthopaedic or orthodontic treatments are not an option or fail to correct the problems present, then surgery becomes the next option.

Surgery for the jaws can correct deformities and disparages between the upper and lower jaw. The main reasons why people will seek these treatments is because there is a loss in jaw function and to correct the appearance of the deformity.

Both the upper and lower jaw can be operated on to fix the problems caused by a malformation, which include: facial muscle issues, speech difficulties, eating issues, gum and palate problems.

Advantages

1. Improved self esteem from improved facial appearance.
2. Relief from pain caused by a misalignment, just as TMJ problems.
3. Can be used on patients of all ages, depending on the need and case.

What is It?

When more than one treatment method is required to achieve a dental goal, then it is considered multi-disciplinary. This can mean that your orthopedist may use more than one technique to help you get the smile you deserve and need. Often times you will see this approach used when correcting malformation of the jaws.

None surgical treatments or surgical options will often be followed by orthodontic techniques, such as braces, to help bring the teeth back into alignment after improper jaw growth had caused them to come in improperly.

Advantages

1. Using more than one method of treatment can greatly improve the overall results and can help improve the outcome of some treatments that may not get the best results when used alone.
2. . Covering all areas involved when it comes to treating the teeth and jaws ensures that the progress of one treatment is no potentially undone by a neglected issue in another area. Such as using braces on a still growing jaw that has problems may be pointless if as the person grows the teeth are pushed back out of alignment.
3. Consulting with one or more specialists can result in more treatment options and provide a plan that works best for you.
4. Taking care of all the potential issues in a single plan can prevent a need for recurring treatments.