Dental and Facial Orthopedics

Table of Contents:

1. What is dental and facial orthopedics?
2. Why is it performed?
3. What is dental and facial orthopedics?
4. Preparation for treatment
5. Care after treatment
6. What are the alternatives to dental and facial orthopedics?

What is dental and facial orthopedics?

Dental and facial orthopedics deals with the correction or modification of skeletal structures in the face. In general, it is usually indicated to patients with problems in the bone structure, with the objective of achieving a dentition with the correct position, facial harmony and balance in the occlusion.

It is usually applied in childhood or adolescence. That is, the recommendation is to apply this type of treatment before the age of 12, since the facial structure is still developing.

It uses removable or fixed appliances, depending on the problems of each patient.

Why is it performed?

Dental and facial orthopedics usually intervene to correct abnormalities in swallowing, phonation, breathing and sucking. That is to say, it is a technique that avoids the complications of the mandibular bone mass, which can generate problems in breathing, eating or vocalizing.

Dental and facial orthopedics is indicated for the following pathologies:

• Prognathism: consists of an excessive extension or growth of the mandible or lower jaw. This has not only aesthetic consequences that could worry the patient, but also generates complications in speaking and chewing. When a person suffers from prognathism, he/she may suffer from severe headaches and joint pain.
• Mandibular retrognathia: in these cases the lower bone grows little or incorrectly, so there is no alignment of the two jaws and the upper jaw protrudes over the lower one. The consequences are usually difficulty in chewing, articulation and vocalization, as well as sleep apnea. Dental and facial orthopedics can help correct the problem by bringing the jaw forward.
• Orthodontics: in many cases it may be advisable to accompany orthodontics with orthopedic treatment, since one corrects the position of the teeth and the other corrects malformations or anomalies of the maxillary bones. When it is a fixed orthodontic treatment, interceptive orthopedics is usually indicated. This is of great help, since both treatments complement each other and the time is shortened.

What does it consist of?

Within the dental and facial orthopedics there are several techniques that will be implemented according to the situation of each patient. This type of treatment can use fixed or removable appliances and the choice of one or the other should be based on the pathology of each patient.
On the other hand, it is a painless method and almost all patients adapt to this type of treatment without any problem.

Dental and facial orthopedics usually intervene to correct anomalies in swallowing, phonation, breathing and sucking.
in swallowing, phonation, breathing and sucking.

Preparing for dental and facial orthopedic treatment

Dental and facial orthopedics does not require preparation on the part of the patient, but it is important to pay attention to hygiene throughout the process.
In addition, as the materials used are usually removable, a committed collaboration on the part of the patient is required, otherwise the treatments are prolonged or do not achieve the expected results.

Care after the operation

The duration of a dental and facial orthopedic treatment depends on its objectives but, in most cases, it usually takes between 6 and 18 months.
Once treatment is completed, if removable appliances have been used, fixed orthodontic treatment and interceptive orthopedics will most likely be required.

Alternatives to dental and facial orthopedics

This treatment is applied in childhood or adolescence, so if this has not been the case an alternative will have to be sought. One of them is orthodontic treatment, although in most cases bone correction is achieved by maxillofacial surgery.