There are many ways to approach underbite and overbite treatment as well as facial asymmetry jaw issues. Treatment recommendations are based on the dentist’s/orthodontist’s perspective and thinking and knowledge of different treatment modalities. When treated jaw and bite issues there is much more to consider than just teeth or straightening teeth. These photos show the use of an Anterior Guided Growth Appliance (AGGA) for jaw development and allowing facilitating proper growth on a patient who was midface deficient and also had TMJ pain.
Note lack of space for tooth eruption and patient
also had midface deficiency causing a tongue thrust
Notice the space created and tooth dropped in: also arch
development to allow forward growth creating
tongue and airway space
Traditionally, Orthodontics approaches treatment by:
-removing teeth to fit the others in
-line everything to Class I occlusion (bite)
-straight teeth and pretty smile
-make teeth fit
-thinking jaws cannot be changed non-surgically
– thinking if a patient is no longer growing cannot change jaw structures
-sometimes removing teeth to fit others in
Jaw Development Orthodontics thinking approaches treatment by:
-considering if the arch is too small for the teeth
-developing jaw back to genetic potential
-create broad arches
-creating plenty of room for teeth
-develop bone first
-move the teeth
– stimulate bone development at any age
The true objective is to develop jaws back to their genetic potential. The true genetic potential may have been corrupted by mouth breathing, allergies, tongue tie, traditional orthodontics, thumb sucking, pacifiers, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and even soft mushy diets. All these factors play a role.
However, with Jaw Alignment / Development more than just teeth are considered. The goal is to optimize the airway, TMJ, cervical posture, occlusion/bite, and facial appearance.
If you have any questions about Facial Asymmetry or Non-surgical underbite/ overbite treatment, please feel free to call our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF, FIAPA, 713-668-2289.
