Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malposition teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. It can also focus on modifying facial growth, known as dent facial orthopaedics.
Orthodontic therapy includes the use of either fixed or removable appliances. The majority of orthodontic therapy is delivered using appliances that are fixed in place for example with braces that are bonded to the teeth with adhesives. Fixed appliances usually have a greater mechanical control over the teeth and the treatment outcome is greater with the use of fixed appliances than with removable appliances.
- Braces
- Head Gear
- Palatal Expansion
- Jaw Surgery
- Removable Retainers
- Fixed Retainers
While orthodontics deals with the management of tooth movement and dent facial orthopaedics involves the guidance of facial growth and facial development, which occurs for the most part during childhood, and is a reason why kids are often the best candidates for receiving dent facial orthopaedic therapy. Dent facial orthopaedics helps the patients to specifically fix problems that have developed with the bone structure of the jaw and face. They make use of appliances that can redirect the growth to make a variety of repairs including a narrow jaw and fixing the under bite and overbite.