Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the alignment of the teeth and the dental arches: the maxilla and the mandible. The practice of this specialty includes diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of misaligned dentition and other abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.

Orthognathic surgery is surgery to correct conditions of the jaw and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, malocclusion problems owing to skeletal disharmonies, or other orthodontic problems that cannot be easily treated only with braces.

Our goal: better appereance, better quality of life.

Orthotropics® is a specific type of "Facial Growth Guidance". Many studies have shown that the way the face grows can be negatively or positively affected by postural changes. So, if the face can change for the worse with improper posture, this technique is basically changing it for the better with proper posture.

The technique involves maxillary expansion and forward development of the maxillary anterior teeth, followed by the wearing of an appliance which postures the mandible forward but does not allow the mandible to retract the maxilla with the goal of optimizing rest oral posture.

It is most effective from ages 5 to 10.  It can work for some children who are even older, but the results may be more limited and larger spacing may result between upper back teeth.

The lower jaw is encouraged to grow forward by teaching the child to hold the teeth together, lips together and the tongue to the roof of the mouth. While this is not always easy for the child, it has very good results. The results of Orthotropics® are often to be compared as an alternative to jaw surgery and orthodontics, but consulting a specialist is mandatory for proper diagnosis and for understanding its limitations.

For more details, you can also consult our page on plastic and maxillofacial surgery.