Do you think your child needs orthodontic treatment, but you aren’t sure if it’s the best time for braces? What if there was a different way to treat your child’s bite problems and crooked or crowded teeth – one that didn’t require a bunch of wires and brackets? What if this way didn’t just treat crowded teeth and how the smile looks but also helped address issues with facial growth? There is a way: AGGA!
What Is AGGA?
AGGA stands for Anterior Guided Growth Appliance. This approach to orthodontics is different from conventional orthodontics because it does not just move the teeth to correct the smile. It is designed to correct or prevent misaligned jaws and bad bites using growth appliances.
There are two kinds of AGGA appliances: fixed (FAGGA) and removable (RAGGA). Both types work toward the same goal but have a few differences.
Fixed Anterior Guided Growth Appliance (FAGGA)
This type of growth appliance is ideal for adults who suffer from severe temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep apnea and other airway issues and bite problems. FAGGA helps by opening up the airway through expanding the upper jaw, which helps you get more air and sleep better at night. The upper jaw growth resulting from FAGGA also helps relieve painful TMJD symptoms. Many people who go through FAGGA treatment report a side benefit of improved facial appearance, too.
Removable Anterior Guided Growth Appliance (RAGGA)
Since we’re talking about children and their orthodontic experience, it’s important to mention RAGGA appliances. This type of appliance is ideal for children because it helps to direct the growth of the mouth. These devices look like a retainer, but instead of keeping teeth in place, they help to widen the palate like a palatal expander. Unlike a palatal expander, the RAGGA stimulates new tissue growth. This helps to model the mouth to allow enough space for adult teeth to erupt without issue or overlap.
Who Is a Candidate for AGGA?
AGGA is ideal for individuals who are living with:
- Sleep apnea
- Pain, discomfort or dysfunction while chewing
- Pain in the jaw or around the jaw joints
- TMJD
- Bad posture due to jaw alignment
- Dissatisfaction with facial structure
Do I Need AGGA?
Many of the conditions AGGA treats are very painful and leave sufferers with life-altering side effects, and AGGA can help patients get back to a pain-free life! If you’re thinking about AGGA and would like to know more about it, give Dr. Konig a call at 713-668-2289 to schedule a consultation.
