5 Benefits of Full-Face Orthodontics

If you are simply concerned about crooked teeth, there are many orthodontic options available.  However, if your concerns include the shape of your face, the size of  your airway, and the function of your jaw, then you should look to full-face orthodontics, sometimes called epigenetic orthodontics.

Full-face orthodontics describes what the technique does: it works not just to move your teeth, but to reshape your jaw and your skull. Epigenetic orthodontics describes how the technique works: it helps your body achieve unrealized genetic potential. No matter what you call it, this approach offers benefits over traditional orthodontics for many people.

Personalized Approach to Treatment

In order to be successful, full-face orthodontics depends on understanding your current situation and your genetic potential. It is a customized approach to encouraging the proper development of your teeth and jaws.

When you get full-face orthodontics at Divine Smiles, Dr. Ryan Clancy takes the time to assess your personal condition. After talking with you about your goals, Dr. Clancy will then design a custom approach to reshaping one or both jaws.

Treat Multiple Problems Together

Full-face orthodontics is what the name implies: a comprehensive approach to orthodontics that impacts more than just the position of your teeth. In the course of treatment, this approach lets you achieve multiple goals to look and feel better. That’s because it addresses the root cause of many common problems in the orofacial area.

With full-face orthodontics you might be able to improve or resolve concerns like:

• Crooked or crowded teeth
• Facial shape
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD)
• Sleep apnea

By reshaping your jaw and/or skull, full-face orthodontics makes room for your teeth to move into a straight arc. While making room for your teeth, full-face orthodontics can improve the appearance of your face, addressing many common concerns that make people self-conscious about their appearance.

In the process of moving teeth and reshaping jaws, full-face orthodontics can improve how well your jaws work together. This not only improves chewing and swallowing, it can reduce the severity of TMJ, possibly eliminating some of your symptoms.

In addition, reshaping and expanding the jaws will improve the size of your airway, which makes it easier to breathe while you’re awake, as well as while you’re asleep. This makes it less likely that your airway will collapse at night, reducing or eliminating sleep apnea.

No Extractions for Orthodontics

If your jaw is too small for all your teeth, many orthodontists recommend extractions to help teeth fit. Nothing is a true replacement for your natural teeth, so it’s important to preserve them whenever possible.

Full-face orthodontics offers another way to make room for your teeth: expanding your jaw. In many cases, it’s possible to encourage jaw growth so that all your teeth will fit in a straight, smooth arc. You will enjoy a beautiful straight smile with all of your teeth.

Improve Facial Appearance

Full-face orthodontics can also improve your facial appearance. The appearance of the lower third of your face is determined by the shape and size of your jaws. Soft tissues like skin, muscles, and fat drape over the framework of your bones, so the ability to reshape these bones can make a big difference in your appearance. A sunken midface and receding jaw are the two cosmetic complaints that respond best to full-face orthodontics, but others might also improve.

There are limits to full-face orthodontics. During your consultation, Dr. Clancy will talk to you about these limitations to help you understand what are reasonable expectations.

Permanent Results Are Possible

While many dental procedures can give you long-lasting results, there are few that have the potential to be permanent. Full-face orthodontics is one of them. These results are fixed in your bones, and as long as you maintain the health and structure of your bones, you can enjoy the results of your orthodontics.

Maintaining results is easy. In addition to taking care of your bones, you just have to wear a retainer.

Then you’ll enjoy your straight smile, better jaw function, and improved breathing for life.

Are You a Candidate for Full-Face Orthodontics in Woburn/Winchester?

Full-face orthodontics aren’t the best approach for everyone. In general, this approach works best for people who have underdeveloped jaws and unrealized genetic potential. It’s also the best choice when you have problems relating to your jaw function and/or airway. During your initial consultation, Dr. Clancy will evaluate your condition and decide whether full-face orthodontics is right for you, or if you might benefit more from simple orthodontics approaches like Invisalign.

Please call (781) 396-8558 or use our online contact form to request a consultation at Divine Smiles in Woburn, MA.

By Ryan M. Clancy, DMD, MAGD, LVIF, FPFA, FIAPA | December 29th, 2021 | Orthodontics