You may have noticed that at Nellie Gail Orthodontics, Dr. James & Dr. Stephanie specialize in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Dentofacial orthopedics is a specialized field that focuses on guiding the development of your child’s facial structure, harmonizing facial bones and soft tissues to achieve optimal aesthetics and function.

Traditional orthodontics are suitable for patients of all ages and primarily focus on teeth alignment. Dentofacial orthopedics, on the other hand, is more effective during the growth phase, particularly for children and teenagers, as it can guide facial bone and soft tissue development.

Our orthodontists are uniquely qualified in both orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and have undergone additional, specialized training in orthodontics dentofacial orthopedics, which typically involves an extra 2-3 years of education and practice. This advanced knowledge allows us to address facial irregularities, jaw imbalances, and bone structure issues to optimize both aesthetics and function, giving us the expertise to recommend the most appropriate treatment based on individual cases. We understand that each patient is unique, and we provide tailored treatment plans to ensure the best results.

Dr. James and Dr. Stephanie evaluate and monitor your child’s growth to determine the most effective time to commence treatment. If your child embarks on orthodontic treatment before their adult teeth emerge, it’s termed Phase-One treatment. During this phase, our orthodontists utilize techniques to address your child’s jaw growth and establish the proper alignment of the jawbone before progressing to the next treatment phase.

In dentofacial orthopedics, various appliances are frequently employed. You might be familiar with braces as a common orthodontic tool, but other specialized appliances like expanders are utilized as required, depending on the specific facial irregularities. Sometimes, orthopedic treatment may precede the use of traditional braces, but it’s also common for these two approaches to be employed simultaneously. So, if your child is undergoing both braces and an expander, they are actually experiencing a combination of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Dentofacial orthopedics is also employed for adult patients at Nellie Gail Orthodontics. However, this may involve surgical procedures. When dealing with younger patients, the jaw bones are still developing, allowing our team at Nellie Gail Orthodontics to have greater control over bone growth and tooth movement. Conversely, with adult patients, their bones have stopped growing, and their jaw bones have solidified, making it more challenging to adjust the bite and move teeth into their correct positions. Dr. James and Dr. Stephanie may suggest surgery to modify the jaw bone and establish the correct bite alignment before commencing treatment.

Our aim is to provide insights into the field of dentofacial orthopedics, with a focus on its effectiveness in guiding the growth and development of children and teenagers. With expertise in both of these areas, our orthodontists are proficient in diagnosing misalignments affecting the teeth, jaw, and overall facial structure. This enables them to create comprehensive treatment plans that seamlessly blend orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic therapies. Nellie Gail Orthodontics, proudly serves Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, and Orange County, providing high quality dentofacial orthopedic treatment.

If you have specific concerns or need personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. We’re here to ensure your child’s orthodontic journey is as smooth and effective as possible, ultimately enhancing their facial aesthetics and functionality as they grow.