There are braces, and then there are functional orthodontics. If your teeth are misaligned, traditional metal braces are the orthodontic treatment that can get your smile in straight, outstanding shape. Functional orthodontics, however, offer additional benefits in treatment patients who have a variety of dental and jaw issues.
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What Are Functional Orthodontics?
Functional orthodontics work in two phases to address both jaw alignment and tooth alignment. The goal is to always avoid surgery or tooth extraction in order to straighten a smile.
Phase 1 of the functional orthodontics process corrects any skeletal issues that may be occurring. These problems can vary in severity, but they are almost always bothersome to the sufferer, often interrupting precious sleep. Airway obstructions could be causing major problems like excessive snoring which could indicate a serious case of sleep apnea. Clicking of the jaw joints and TMJ headaches point to arch or jaw concerns. And then there are bad habits like tongue thrusting which can, over time, reshape a mouth.
Once these concerns have been addressed, the patient’s mouth is in a much better position to receive orthodontic treatment, which is Phase 2 of tooth alignment. Ideally, treatment will proceed much more easily and efficiently with a mouth that has been adjusted in design so that it is able to happily accept dental braces.
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Why Choose Functional Orthodontics?
The philosophy behind functional orthodontics is simple: The goal is long-term success. You want teeth to maintain their newly aligned position. If skeletal issues within the mouth go untreated, it is very possible that teeth will revert back to their prior positions, especially for patients who neglect to wear their retainers.
The practice of functional orthodontics is another example of how a biomimetic dentistry puts a patient’s overall health and well-being first. The goal is not just to treat a problem, but to determine the cause of the problem first so that both issues can be resolved. Functional orthodontics uses advanced archial analysis and specific measurements in order to look at the entire head and neck. These efforts pinpoint where jaw and arch problems originate, the position of bones and muscles, and how a person’s mouth can be most successfully treated for comfort and normal function.
Functional orthodontics are a comprehensive treatment of the mouth and its complications, and a natural extension for a biomimetic dentistry practice. A timeline and customized treatment plan are designed for each and every patient to create a mouth that functions in harmony with all its parts and pieces.
Visit Dr. Esmail at Moorestown Dental Professionals in Moorestown, NJ, to discuss your or your child’s potential for receiving functional orthodontics. As a graduate of Dr. Jay Gerber’s Functional Orthodontic program, and a regular attendee of advanced courses in orthodontics, Dr. Esmail is trained and prepared to examine, diagnose, and treat orthodontic concerns for both children and adults. Contact us to make your consultation appointment with an experienced orthodontic professional.
