Metal Free Functional Orthodontics
Braces and extracting teeth in teenage years does not solve the underlying causes of crooked teeth and incorrect facial development.
Orthodontics with braces has been used for decades to straighten teeth in early teens when all the permanent teeth have appeared, and although effective in forcing the teeth into straighter alignment, it's important to recognise that there are well-documented disadvantages. Along with leaving the underlying causes of crooked teeth untreated, traditional orthodontic techniques have several other risks or limitations including surgery, enamel and root damage as well as the high likelihood of relapse, unless a permanent commitment is made to wearing a fixed or removable retainer.
The main risks and limitations of treatment with braces according to the "American Journal of Orthodontics" are:
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RELAPSE - up to 90%
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ENAMEL DAMAGE
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ROOT DAMAGE - 100%
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RETENTION - for life
The removable appliances like the ones we use have been shown to not cause root resorption because of intermittent use.
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Traditional metal retainer
Understanding the causes
Hereditary factors or big teeth in small jaws are not responsible for crowded teeth or incorrect jaw development. The real culprits are mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, reverse swallowing and thumb sucking, which are known as incorrect myofunctional habits.
The majority of children show signs of incorrect dental and facial development at an early age. Parents see the problem but are told to wait until the permanent teeth are present at 12 to 14 years of age before orthodontic treatment.
The traditional orthodontic treatment will align the teeth, maybe after some extractions of sound teeth to gain more room for movements, but it will not treat the root cause of the issue.
Myofunctional Orthodontic Appliances change function and improve craniofacial development - and align the teeth without braces, because they work on the cause, not on the effect.
WHY ARE THE TEETH CROWDED ?
AFTER
AFTER
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WHAT HAS CAUSED THE NARROW ARCH FORM ?
