Although we are Blue Wave Orthodontics, we also treat patients who need dentofacial orthopedics. Orthodontics can focus on dental displacement (misaligned teeth), but can also require the control and modification of facial, and upper/lower jaw developmental growth (dentofacial orthopedics). This often occurs during childhood, before the adult teeth have erupted and when the jaw(s) are still growing.
Dentofacial orthopedics can treat severe malocclusions (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are not aligned) with specialized appliances like the Herbst appliance (mandibular advancement), and maxillary (Hyrax or Quad Helix) and mandibular (BiHelix) expanders (upper and lower jaw expansion). In some severe cases, usually in adult patients when jaws are no longer growing, jaw surgery may be required.
Dr. Randy Feldman adds, “because Blue Wave Orthodontics is skilled in both areas (orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics) we are able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaws, as well as the overall facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.”
To learn more about dentofacial orthopedics, and to find out if this type of treatment is right for you, please contact our office by requesting a free consultation.
