Dentofacial Orthopedics in Children: Guiding Jaw Growth for a Healthier Smile
Olmos Park Dental is excited to offer children’s orthopedics in San Antonio, Texas. Unlike traditional orthodontics, which focuses on tooth alignment, dental orthopedics focuses on guiding and correcting jaw growth and facial bone development in children. Dentofacial orthopedics at Olmos Park Dental intervenes early to ensure proper jaw positioning, bite function, and facial symmetry. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Brandi Lindsey and discover the difference early orthotropic services can make to your child’s oral health.
When should a child see a dentofacial orthopedist?
Orthodontic treatment with braces doesn’t start until permanent teeth have erupted, which happens from age 11. However, your child doesn’t wait until this age to seek orthodontic care. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. A specialist can detect early jaw growth issues at this stage and determine if orthopedic intervention is needed.
During childhood, the jawbones are still growing and can be gently guided into the correct position with orthopedic appliances. Children’s orthopedics or interceptive orthodontics is ideal for children between the ages of 6 and 10.
What are the common dentofacial orthopedic interventions for children?
Early orthotropic services help children develop proper jaw alignment and bite. The goal is to prevent future orthodontic issues and improve a child’s smile and overall health.
Your child’s dental orthopedics may include:
- Myofunctional therapy: The dentist will give your child specific exercises to help correct poor oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing to promote proper jaw growth.
- Myobrace® System: This preventive orthodontic treatment corrects poor oral habits contributing to dental misalignment and improper jaw development in children. These removable oral appliances retrain the tongue to rest correctly, encourage nasal breathing, and naturally guide jaw growth, reducing the need for braces later. Worn for a few hours during the day and overnight, Myobraces address issues like incorrect swallowing patterns, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting to promote proper dental alignment and facial development.
- ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functional) Therapy: This holistic orthodontic approach uses a lightweight, flexible wire appliance to promote natural palatal expansion and craniofacial development. Unlike traditional palatal expanders, which rely on forceful mechanical expansion, the ALF appliance gently stimulates natural growth and remodels the upper jaw by optimizing cranial bone movement, tongue posture, and airway function.
Class II and Class III orthopedics, depending on your child’s skeletal diagnosis.
Why is dentofacial orthopedics important for children?
During childhood, the jawbones are still growing and can be gently guided and reshaped into the correct position using orthopedic appliances and myofunctional exercises.
This approach can:
- Prevent severe orthodontic issues before they develop
- Improve breathing and airway function (helpful for children with sleep-disordered breathing)
- Enhance facial symmetry and aesthetics
- Avoid the need for jaw surgery in adulthood
- Correct bite problems that affect chewing and speech
- Prevent jaw joint (TMJ) issues later in life
Ready to give your child a lasting smile?
Early intervention with children’s dental orthopedics can help guide jaw development, improve bite alignment, and enhance facial symmetry—preventing future orthodontic issues. Ready to get started? Call (210) 767-3525 and book a consultation with Olmos Park Dental. Let us help your little one achieve a beautiful, confident smile that lasts a lifetime!
