Dentofacial Orthopedics

You may have noticed that our doctor specializes in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the dentofacial orthopedics part of the title.

Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. Appliances such as headgear and palatal expanders are frequently used, depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Usually orthopedic treatment precedes conventional braces, but sometimes the two are used at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's actually undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Being skilled in both areas, our doctor is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaws as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.