Dentofacial Orthopedics
Guiding facial growth in growing children, in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA
If you’ve seen our doctor described as a specialist in “orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics,” you’re not alone in wondering what the second half means. Most people know orthodontics. Dentofacial orthopedics is less familiar, but it’s a core part of what an orthodontist is trained to do. Here is what it means and why it matters, especially for children. Dr. Christopher Myers practices both at New Element Orthodontics in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA.
What Is Dentofacial Orthopedics?
Dentofacial orthopedics is the part of orthodontic training focused on guiding the growth and development of the face and jaws, which happens largely during childhood. Where orthodontics moves teeth into better positions, dentofacial orthopedics shapes the bony framework those teeth sit in. The two work hand in hand, and “orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics” is the full name of the recognized dental specialty.
Orthodontics vs Dentofacial Orthopedics
It helps to think of them as two related jobs:
- Orthodontics is the management of tooth movement, the work most people picture when they think of braces.
- Dentofacial orthopedics is the guidance of facial growth, using a child’s natural development to influence how the jaws and face come together.
Sometimes orthopedic treatment comes before braces, and often the two happen at the same time. If your child wears both braces and an appliance like headgear or an expander, they’re receiving both at once.
The Appliances Involved
Orthodontics relies mostly on braces and aligners. Dentofacial orthopedics uses appliances designed to guide growth, such as expanders that widen the upper arch or headgear that influences how the jaws develop. Which appliance is used, if any, depends entirely on what’s happening with a particular child’s growth, which is something Dr. Myers assesses at an evaluation. It’s also why early evaluations matter: the window for guiding growth is open mainly while a child is still developing, a point we cover on our Early Orthodontic Treatment page.
Why Training in Both Matters
Because the specialty covers both the teeth and the structures around them, Dr. Myers can look beyond the teeth alone. He completed his orthodontic residency and earned a Master of Science at USC, and he is a board-certified orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. In practice, that means he diagnoses how the teeth, jaws, and facial structure relate to one another and builds a plan that addresses all of it, rather than treating the teeth in isolation.
Common Questions About
Dentofacial Orthopedics
Is dentofacial orthopedics only for children?
Mostly, because it works with active growth, which is why timing matters for younger patients. Adults still benefit greatly from orthodontics, but once the jaws have stopped growing, a significant jaw discrepancy is corrected with surgery rather than growth guidance.
How do I know if my child needs growth guidance?
You can’t really tell at home, which is the point of an early evaluation. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic visit around age seven, when Dr. Myers can see how the jaw and permanent teeth are developing.
Is this different from what a general dentist does?
Yes. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is a recognized dental specialty that requires two to three years of additional residency training after dental school, beyond a general dentistry degree.
Start With an Evaluation
If you’re curious whether your child could benefit from growth guidance, or you simply want to understand your own treatment better, an evaluation is the best place to start. Call us or request an appointment online.
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