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

For part three of this series, I will be discussing interventional orthodontics to control habits such as thumb sucking, finger biting and a tongue thrust. As a quick refresh, parts one and two discussed interceptive orthodontic treatment for dental development or eruption anomalies and facial growth modification. In regards to habits, the earlier identified and treated, the easier it is for the patient as well as orthodontist to control. I have seen adults with a thumb sucki

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-

For this series, I’m going to discuss Interceptive Orthodontics. What that means is early interventional orthodontic treatment or Phase 1 treatment. Interceptive orthodontics is offered to better guide dental and facial growth and development. The aim of this treatment is to simplify a comprehensive (aka Phase 2) orthodontic treatment when older or to avoid it entirely! First, I would like to mention that the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that orthodontic c