Dentofacial Orthopedics
Dentofacial orthopedics is for patients where the dental problems are actually a result of an underlying skeletal disharmony; either under or over developing jaw bones. These patients usually display noticeable facial proportion issues, but not in all cases.
This type of treatment involves utilizing appliances and treatment mechanics to help direct the patient’s inherent growth potential to correct or improve skeletal disharmony. Because growth potential is necessary in these cases, dentofacial orthopedics is typically attempted only in growing adolescent patients at or around their pubescent growth spurt. However, Dr. Weaver will attempt dentofacial orthopedic correction in younger patients in cases such as extreme facial disharmony or debilitating bite problems.
Dr. Weaver uses several evaluative techniques in the determination of when to commence dentofacial orthopedic treatment for each patient.