The Emerging Science of Full Face Orthodontics
We treat the underlying problem that causes most TMJ dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea
Many debilitating conditions such as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ/TMD), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Chronic Migraine-like Headaches, and Forward Head Posture (FHP) must have a root cause. These conditions seldomly occur in isolation. Research has found that about 80% of those with TMD also have OSA and Forward Head Posture (FHP). Emerging dental science shows the common denominators to be underdeveloped and/or mal-positioned jaws. Simply stated, lack of ideal jaw position and development lead to insufficient room for the teeth and tongue causing, facial muscle strain, crooked teeth, FHP, TMD, Chronic headaches and often sleep breathing disorders (SBD). More often than not the keys to optimal health include well positioned and developed upper and lower jaws.
Utilizing the latest advancements in dentistry to aid in accurate diagnosis, Dr. van Zyl can determine if jaw position and development could be the sources of your symptoms and plan for their correction. Since less than 20% of the population achieve ideal jaw development and position, addressing these foundational issues, should precede any major dental procedures, such as orthodontics, TMJ, or full mouth rehabilitation to ensure optimal results. Following diagnosis, the treatment for the child up to 12 years old entails a removable anterior repositioning appliance (ARA) and for the adult a fixed anterior repositioning appliance (FARA) with flat or indexed bite pads on all the lower molars. These appliances remodel the front part of the upper jaw and develop ideal angulation of the upper front teeth. This Guided Remodeling results in a stable structural dental and skeletal foundation ensuring a lifelong absence of many debilitating conditions such as chronic tension headaches, TMD, FHP and several forms of sleep breathing disorders.
Crowded or crooked teeth are signs of underdeveloped jaws. In the past surgery was the only option for correction, but now room can be created for straight teeth by remodeling the upper and lower jaws. If you or a family member has received advice to remove teeth before or during orthodontics, it is well worth your time to get a Full Face Orthodontic Analysis consultation to learn more about all your options. Addressing underdeveloped jaws prior to orthodontics eliminates future problems with TMJ dysfunction, FHP and sleep breathing disorders often aggravated by tooth extractions. Full Facial Orthodontic Analysis, diagnosis and treatment are available for both children and adults.
A compromised airway results from the tongue being positioned too far back in the throat often leading to many sleep breathing disorders including Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). When asleep, especially on your back, the muscles supporting and positioning the lower jaw relax, allowing the lower jaw to fall back. As the lower jaw falls back, the tongue attached to the jaw also falls back, decreasing the size of the airway and limiting the amount of oxygenated air reaching the lungs. OSA leads to restless and interrupted sleep as well as heart problems.
Guided remodeling of the upper jaw and repositioning of the lower jaw have shown promising results in increasing the size and volume of the upper airway. This treatment is effective for adults and children. In fact, directing face and jaw development in children, just about eliminates future issues with OSA, TMD, FHP and SBD.Underdeveloped jaws are a major contributing factor in TMJ dysfunction.
Full Face Orthodontics, optimizes the dimensions of the upper and lower jaws, the angulation of the upper front teeth, and the position of the lower jaw, resulting in beautiful smiles and proportioned faces. Misalignment of the jaw joints often leads to chronic pain experienced not only in the joint area itself, but also in the temples, the head, neck, back, and ears. The position and dimensions of the upper jaw determine the position of the lower jaw and the tongue attached to it. Therefore, when the upper jaw’s position is less than ideal, so is the position of lower jaw and the tongue. In turn, their positions play a major role in determining the size and stability of the airway. Straightening only the teeth with orthodontics in these patients never corrects the position of the jaw joints, usually resulting in the development or aggravation of TMJ dysfunction.
If you snore, have obstructive sleep apnea, experience symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, have bad posture or have crowded teeth, please take the time to explore a Full Face Orthodontic, Comprehensive Head, Neck and Jaw Analysis.
Full Face Orthodontics can drastically change the quality or your life as an adult and prevent future issues with TMD, obstructive sleep apnea, and bad posture when corrected as a child, optimizing the position of the jaws and teeth. A Comprehensive Head, Neck, and Jaw Analysis is always recommended prior to orthodontics, ensuring ideal jaw development and positioning are occurring and the presence of a good airway is confirmed. Any recommendation for extractions prior to orthodontic treatment should spur you on to investigate for an alternative solution to crowded or crooked teeth, because often they are indicators of less-than-ideal jaw position and development.
Full Face Orthodontics provide not only a beautiful smile but often also have many other benefits such as a significant reduction in migraine-like headaches and improved facial aesthetic. Some patients have such noticeable changes that it appears they had a non-surgical facelift. Learn more about the aesthetic enhancements that can accompany Full Face Orthodontics in a consultation with Dr. van Zyl.
