DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS

What Are ‘Dentofacial Orthopedic’ Treatments?

Dentofacial orthopedics is a branch of medicine that includes the treatment of teeth as associated with the structure of the face.

Dentofacial orthopedics focuses on the development of healthy dental arches, alignments and bite positions in harmony with a person’s facial appearance.

Dentofacial Orthopedics in Medicine

Becoming a specialist in the dentofacial orthopedic branch of dentistry requires additional, higher education than a dental degree requires. Once a person has completed dental school, he or she can practice as a dentist or continue their education to become a specialist within the dental branch. A degree in specialized dentistry requires a 2 to 3 year residency after dental school.

Treatments in Dentofacial Orthopedics

Treatments that alter the appearance of the jaw are used in dentofacial orthopedics. In some cases, the jaw needs to expand to align proportionately with the rest of the face. As these facial disproportions are visible in the early years of a child’s life, it’s advantageous to begin treatments during these formative years. The teeth, gums and jaw have not fully developed yet, so they are significantly impressionable by dentofacial orthopedic treatments at this time.

Dentofacial orthopedic treatments, often used in accordance with an orthodontic treatment, include:

  • Palatal expander
  • Jaw expander
  • Bite corrector

Dr. King and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Dr. King is highly educated, qualified and experienced in dentofacial orthopedics. This means he considers how your appearance will match your smile and the alignment of your jaw before he creates your personalized treatment plan. Dr. King assesses your facial structure to determine the proper orthodontic treatment that will either maintain existing facial proportions or correct any misproportions.

Dr. King pairs his decades of experience in orthodontics with his expertise in dentofacial orthopedics to guide your face and teeth toward an aligned, balanced appearance.