Modern growth-guided treatment for children
Dentofacial orthopaedics focuses on guiding how your child’s face and jaws grow. During the early years, we can gently correct developing issues with jaw position and bite before they become more serious.
For example, in selected growing children where the lower jaw is significantly set back and top teeth stick out over the bottom teeth, we may recommend mandibular advancement features — a modern orthodontic approach designed to guide jaw growth while straightening the teeth at the same time. Kid who have protruding top teeth are a higher risk of trauma. Girls go through a growth spurt at age 11-13 and boys 12-14, treatment for patients with lower jaw setback is best completed either before or during this stage. If treated after the growth spurt then jaw correction is limited and more complex treatment such as jaw surgery may be needed for full correction. This system is very different from the traditional block-style braces used in the past.
Helps to improve overall bite function and reduce risk of trauma as top teeth no longer stick out
Enhances facial balance by bringing the lower jaw into a better position
It is an orthodontic treatment that helps to guide and posture the lower jaw forward to improve the bite and jaw balance.
It is most commonly used for children and teenagers who are still growing and have a lower jaw that sits too far back where there is a moderate to severe discrepancy between the upper and lower jaws.
Most patients experience only mild discomfort or pressure at the start, which usually settles quickly as they adjust. Young kids tend to adapt very well to these appliances.
Yes, braces can technically be used after bite correction with aligners. However most of our patients only need aligners as we are straightening the teeth at the same time as correcting the bite therefore completely avoiding braces – as long as there is excellent compliance with wearing the aligners to achieve better overall bite correction and alignment.
