Different Systems & Types of Appliances
There are many different ways to treat in FJO orthodontics. Every patient is different so not all cases require the same treatment and cases can be assessed using many techniques… Your dental practitioner will use the technique they are most comfortable with and will usually require x-rays, photographs and models of your teeth. You can discuss risks and benefits of treatment with your practitioner. Risks can involve many things from minor discomfort, to loss of teeth in some rare cases.
Your Treatment Options
Practitioners will use these records in various ways to work out your treatment options. Some practitioners may actually make measurements of the x-rays using different analyses, such as:
What Else to Consider…
Other practitioners may use their experience together with particular indicators of facial aesthetics to determine exactly how to treat.
Sometimes all that is required is early intervention with myofunctional training (see below). This is when the patient is given a trainer appliance such as those used by MRC to help eliminate improper breathing and swallowing or remove a habit such as thumb sucking.
Other times cases may require the use of removable appliances to expand the jaws slowly. After this, sometimes fixed braces may be used to align the teeth. Examples of such appliances are the Biobloc, the R-N Sagittal and the Schwarz.
Sometimes expansion will be done at the same time as fixed dental braces using either The Damon System, or other systems such as Delta Force in combination with appliances such as the A.L.F.
Myyofunctional Orthodontics
The teeth are a connected structure of the face, the head and the body. The position of the teeth, good or bad, is determined by the muscles of the lip and tongue. Dentists and orthodontists are becoming increasingly aware that if a child’s teeth are not straight, facial growth and development are also not correct.
If your myofunction is not corrected you will probably need fixed retainers (wires) put on your teeth for life to stop relapse happening. If you opt to have traditional fixed braces (brackets and wires) you will probably need fixed retainers for life. This is because fixed braces usually put the teeth in a zone of imbalance and when the braces come off, the teeth may be pushed by the lips and tongue and other forces.
If you can have the teeth and jaws moved without braces, using your own proper myofunction. Learn about Myofunctional Orthodontics
The Best System for Your Particular Case?
Ultimately, providing the causes of the problem are identified and treated as well as possible, the system used is not too important. Of course, there are some practitioners who have a particular preference for one system or another. Your practitioner will advise the system that works best in their hands, for your particular case. For more info, view our Types of Dental Braces and Getting Braces 101 pages.
