What is functional orthodontics?
Functional orthodontics utilizes various appliances in the mouth to utilize muscle function and growth patterns to do its work. These retainer-like appliances are usually worn full time, even while eating. As the child grows, the forces of the appliances will redirect the growth of the jaws into a more favorable position. Since the jaw muscles are adapting to the different size and shape of the jaws, it results in a much more stable, long lasting result. These appliances can be used to make larger jaws to accommodate more teeth therefore lessening or eliminating crowding. They can even be used to make the lower jaw longer to help eliminate bad overbites. These appliances must be used at the proper age in order for the muscles to adapt to the changes permanently. There are even times that the need for braces can be totally eliminated.
