What is A Dentofacial Orthopedic? A Comprehensive Guide

If you are looking for an orthodontist for your child, then you may have come across the term dentofacial orthopedics. But what is a dentofacial orthopedic? And what do they do? In this comprehensive guide, we will answer all of your questions about it and help you decide whether or not this is the right choice for your child.

Dentofacial Orthopedics

A lot of people may have confused dentofacial orthopedics with orthodontics. While orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are in malposition, dentofacial orthopedics is all about guiding facial growth and development, usually in childhood when a patient is still growing.

“Ortho” comes from the Greek for “straight” or “correct,” and “dontic” from the Greek for “teeth.” But what about dentofacial orthopedics? “Dentofacial” is “teeth” plus “face” while “ortho” again means “straight” and “pedic” is from the Greek for “child.”

This simply means that dentofacial orthopedics is a type of practice that uses appliances to guide the growth of the face and jaw. It is often used in conjunction with orthodontics, but it can also be used as a standalone treatment. The goal of dentofacial orthopedics is to improve the function and aesthetics of the patient’s smile by correcting any imbalances in the bones of the face and jaws.

Dentofacial orthopedics is a subspecialty of dentistry that is recognized by the American Dental Association. It is a growing field, and more and more dentists are beginning to specialize in it.

What Does It Treat?

#1 – Malocclusion

This is the most common reason that dentofacial orthopedics is used. Malocclusion is when the teeth are not aligned properly. This can be due to a number of reasons, including genetics, bad habits (such as thumb-sucking), or injury. Dentofacial orthopedics can correct malocclusion by guiding the growth of the jaws and teeth so that they are in the proper position.

#2 – Facial Asymmetry

Facial asymmetry is when one side of the face is different from the other. This can be due to a number of reasons, including genetics, injury, or tumors. Dentofacial orthopedics can correct facial asymmetry by guiding the growth of the bones in the face so that they are symmetrical.

#3 – Underdeveloped Jaw

This is when the jaw does not grow to its full potential. This can be due to a number of reasons, including genetics, bad habits (such as thumb-sucking), or injury. Dentofacial orthopedics can correct an underdeveloped jaw by guiding the growth of the jaw so that it is in the proper position.

Types of Appliances Used by A Dentofacial Orthopedic

#1 – Headgear

This is one of the most common appliances used in dentofacial orthopedics. It is a device that attaches to the head and face and is used to apply pressure to the teeth and jaws to move them into the proper position.

#2 – Expander

This is an appliance that is used to widen the upper jaw. It is usually used in conjunction with headgear.

#3 – Braces

This is an appliance that is used to straighten the teeth. There are different types of braces, namely: metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear plastic aligners.

#4 – Retainer

This is an appliance that is used to hold the teeth in their new position after the orthodontic treatment is completed.

Is A Dentofacial Orthopedic Right for Your Child?

If you or your child has any of the conditions listed above, then a dentofacial orthopedic doctor may be right for you. It is a growing field, and more and more dentists are beginning to specialize in it.

At Smiles by Lorino, we are proud to offer dentofacial orthopedics as one of our many services. With skills in both orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, Dr. Robert Lorino can diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both treatments.

This will ensure that any misalignment in your child’s teeth, jaw, and facial structure gets corrected early in their lives so as not to cause any problems later on. If you would like to learn more about dentofacial orthopedics or any of our other services, please contact us today.

We have 5 locations in New Jersey: Franklin Lakes, Long Hill, Belleville, Wayne, and Kearny. And we would be more than happy to cater to your oral health needs!