Functional Orthodontics

There is a tremendous difference between traditional orthodontics and functional orthodontics. Traditional orthodontics focus is looking primarily at straightening teeth and creating a pretty smile. Functional orthodontics straightens teeth, but also looks at the patient’s whole body. It looks at the skeletal bones that make up the head and face. It looks at the upper and lower jaw bones. It looks at the relationship of the TMJ with the neck and back. It looks at the patient’s airway. Functional orthodontics looks to optimize all these areas so your child can develop to its full genetic potential.

Functional orthodontics is more orthopedic in nature. Through braces and oral appliances we encourage palate expansion, which increases the size of the upper and lower jaws, the oral airway. This creates room for the teeth to come into place naturally. Functional orthodontics allows the child’s face to develop properly by growing forward and not backwards. This concept allows us to minimize the possibilities of having to extract permanent teeth in the course of treatment.

Functional orthodontics starts when kids are young. We take advantage of the growing body and use it to direct the growth where we need it. Some kids may start treatment as young as 5 years old. With functional orthodontics treatment is broken down into 2 phases:

• Phase 1 is when we use oral appliances to develop the 2 jaw bones (maxilla and mandible). Treatment time usually runs between 9-18 months.
• Phase 2 occurs when the jaws have been developed and all the permanent teeth are in. Here we use braces to straighten the teeth and make a beautiful smile. Treatment time usually runs from 9-18 months.

Functional orthodontics provides so much more than straightening teeth. It allows our kids to develop to their maximum genetic potential. It also helps children with sleep breathing disorders. By expanding the palate we open up the nasal and sinus passages which allows the child to better breath through the nose. This improves oxygenation in the body which is critical for proper brain and body development.

Signs that your child may benefit from Functional Orthodontics:

1. Crowded teeth
2. Snoring
3. Sinus problems
4. Allergy problems
5. Mouth breathing
6. Bed wetting (indicative of a sleep breathing disorder)
7. Behavioral problems (ADD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety)
8. Headaches/migraines