For the final part of this interceptive orthodontics series, I would like to discuss several lifestyle practices that can encourage ideal orofacial growth. These topics include breastfeeding, diet, space maintenance and positioners. Proper growth and development starts at birth! Breastfeeding provides proper upper and lower jaw development and positioning. This action advances the mandible (lower jaw), while bottles position the mandible back. Breastfeeding for this reason su

Next in this mini-series I would like to discuss the “orthopedic” aspect of orthodontics, which entails growth modification. There are three dimensions that we will discuss: the transverse dimension of growth; this is the “width” dimension or x-axis when looking at your face straight-on. Next will discuss the vertical dimension of growth, or y-axis. Lastly, we will address the anteroposterior dimension; this is the growth direction from looking from a profile stance or the z-