Functional Orthodontists or Traditional orthodontists?!


Question: Functional Orthodontists or Traditional orthodontists?
I'm 24 year old and will became 25 year old this year. I have an overjet 6mm, small jaw/chin, and having TMJ (jaw popping sound, headache, etc). I also have consultanting from an orthodontists in my place and my orthodontist said that it impossible to make my lower jaw to move forward (i'm to old) and also said that only people that growing can use functional appliance cause it doesn't give any improvement if i'm using it with my lower jaw. The only thing I can do is, according to my orthodontic is, to do a surgery (orthognathic) or just using bracelet to minimize the overjet (by pulling my upper teeth)... Also, TMJ can't be fix by any orthodontic my orthodontics said and she claim said that the internet source is unreliable or fake (I have print out all the necessary information regarding functional especially google and Tooth975), doctor that write the article have is not orthodontics, etc. I even give her the adult patient after and before that using functional orthodontist and she still refuse this method and said that picture might be fake and they using different person picture (wow I said in my head, can someone have the exactly same face only different with their lower jaw, or why don't said by using photoshop).

Also I have 2 broken teeth in my lower jaw, and it need implant or crown before putting any braclet (which i can accept...)

My question is:
- Is my orthodontist is traditional or functional? (she said she use some kind of functional appliance though)...
- can someone that 24 year old like me, which is doesn't grow anymore can get any improvement using functional orthodontics?
- can it make my jaw longer and balance my vertical profile (make it more harmony)?
- can it fix TMJ?

Thank you :-)

Answers:

Your orthodontist is a traditional orthodontist and she is wrong on all points you have listed. Rather than dispute her remarks point by point, here are the relevant facts:

Functional orthodontics can work no matter what the age. Although results are much more stable when it is done on growing patients (the reason why orthodontic corrections should be done as young as possible) I have treated patients as old as 50 effectively. Adults being treated (no matter which technique) will need to know that retainer(s) will need to be worn for the rest of their lives (usually at bedtime). Your orthodontist is dead wrong about not being able to move (BTW, the proper term is translate) the mandible forward; that has been successfully done for years and is not something new). That is the difference between someone practicing old and outdated orthodontics and the newer and more modern orthodontics.

Anyone following my posts will see that I almost always write "it would be in your best interests to avoid oral surgeons and traditional orthodontists." From what your orthodontists have told you, now you know why. There are, however, many traditional orthodontists who have embraced functional orthodontic technique so they are out there, you just have to find them. The ONLY difference between traditional orthodontists and functional orthodontists is the latter places emphasis on facial beauty and protection of the TMJ whereas the former places all emphasis on teeth only.

If your orthodontist wants proof about the effectiveness of functional orthodontics and how well it can fix TMJ disorders, she can contact Dr. Brendan Stack in Washington, D.C. I consider him the best TMJ dentist in the USA. FYI, he is a traditional orthodontist who uses functional orthodontics and limits his practice to TMJ treatment. He also presents courses all over the country on TMJ treatment to all dentists, general dentists as well as orthodontists. Another source is Dr. Terrance Spahl in Minneapolis, MN. All functional orthodontists who teach their technique to other dentists are also trained orthodontists who have abandoned traditional techniques because they have found a better way to practice orthodontics that will not harm the patient and improve, instead of make worse, their facial profiles.

So to answer your questions:

Your orthodontist is a traditional orthodontist and has a long way to go to learn about more modern orthodontic technique;

You are NOT too old to be treated using functional orthodontic technique. I have treated patients in their 50's successfully. You will, however, need to wear a retainer for life.

Translating the mandible with a functional appliance will NOT make your lower jaw bigger but it will move it forward to align properly with the upper jaw so that your profile will become normal (a Class I or straight profile); that way when you walk into a room, your nose will not the first part of your body to enter. So the answer is NO, it won't make your jaw longer but YES it will balance your vertical profile.

Yes, it will definitely fix your TMJ. BTW, functional orthodontics can routinely and effectively treat overjets as much as 10mm or more. And the correction is skeletal, not dental.

You're welcome, and ditch your present orthodontist and find one at www.iaortho.org. You do not want to be treated by someone that is still married to old, archaic ideas about treatment. You, as a layman, will not be able to convince your orthodontist of anything. She needs to go out and become educated.

functional orthodontist; treated TMJ since 1984




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