A Functional Removable 'Bionator' can be used successfully in patients who are 7 years or older. These patients have a front to back or anterior/posterior jaw discrepancies. This is usually described as an overbite or over-jet. Most orthodontists will recommend a headgear to hold the upper jaw growth or upper braces with headgear. Some orthodontist will recommend no treatment until the patient has all the permanent teeth. This can often result in a need for extractions and a more difficult and timely braces care.
Dr. Garvey used a cemented upper expansion appliance (RME) with braces on top in early care for a patient with a complete posterior right and anterior cross-bite. The expander will increase the width of the upper jaw and correct the posterior cross-bite and the upper braces will move the upper front teeth out of anterior cross-bite. The under-bite patient (called Class III) should have early interceptive care to stimulate the mid-face or upper jaw which is usually back and the lower jaw is forward from a side view. It is very strong in family heredity. This care only took 6 months.
As an Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. Garvey has a responsibility to offer all that modern dentistry has to offer and present various treatment options to his patients. One of those options is a combination of comprehensive braces combined with jaw surgery to obtain the best and most stable correction of a severe functional imbalance. Dr. Garvey will discuss the combined care at a free consult. Usually the braces are places first and the jaw surgeries are done towards the end of the orthodontic care. The teeth are moved into a position where the best fit is obtained immediately after the jaw surgery.
A childs self-esteem can be affected by their smile. It can effect them socially and emotionally. Upper braces can be placed for a short period of time (below only 12 weeks) to improve the alignment of the teeth. Young kids teeth really move fast. Full braces may be needed again in the future but by having the early Phase I care the end result is more stable and the child often has an improved outlook and self esteem. This pretty young lady had a great outlook and self esteem even with crooked teeth!
Any time the front teeth are in anterior cross-bite the patient should see an Orthodontist immediately! We caught it in time on this patient, the gums were just starting to recede on the lower teeth. The pressure of the biting forces on the front teeth will cause gum recession and the cross-bite will be an unbalance which may set off TMD or jaw joint problems. The teeth and gum health will only get worse over time. Here a simple sagittal retainer was worn for only 2 months full time to forever correct this condition. Why wait for potential tooth loss or the headaches which can result from potential TMD?
An anterior (front) permanent tooth in crossbite should be corrected very early after the 1st molars (6 year molars) erupt. The picture shows an upper right front tooth on the inside of the lower teeth when the teeth come together. In this case the cross-bite in front is very hard for the jaw joint balance and will place periodontal stress on the other nearby teeth. Notice the gum recession on the lower front tooth where the upper tooth in cross-bite pushes the lower tooth out of the bone. The teeth will continue crowed and space and the gum attachment get worse.
TMJ/TMD Care Example Complex TMD Orthodontic/Both TM Joints Replaced and Jaw Surgery
In addition to treating patients orthodontically, Dr. Garvey also treat patients who have temporo-mandibular dysfunction often called TMD or TMJ. He personally has had this condition for years which gives him first hand experience. Less than a year ago he did his own braces to help improve the function of the bite to improve the TM condition. TMD is multi-factorial and many varied aspects of total health are involved. A comprehensive health history is taken and often TMJ records are needed for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
A Functional Removable 'Bionator' can be used successfully in patients who are 7 years or older. These patients have a front to back or anterior/posterior jaw discrepancies. This is usually described as an overbite or over-jet. Most orthodontists will recommend a headgear to hold the upper jaw growth or upper braces with headgear. Some orthodontist will recommend no treatment until the patient has all the permanent teeth. This can often result in a need for extractions and a more difficult and timely braces care.
Dr. Garvey used a cemented upper expansion appliance (RME) with braces on top in early care for a patient with a complete posterior right and anterior cross-bite. The expander will increase the width of the upper jaw and correct the posterior cross-bite and the upper braces will move the upper front teeth out of anterior cross-bite. The under-bite patient (called Class III) should have early interceptive care to stimulate the mid-face or upper jaw which is usually back and the lower jaw is forward from a side view. It is very strong in family heredity. This care only took 6 months.
As an Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. Garvey has a responsibility to offer all that modern dentistry has to offer and present various treatment options to his patients. One of those options is a combination of comprehensive braces combined with jaw surgery to obtain the best and most stable correction of a severe functional imbalance. Dr. Garvey will discuss the combined care at a free consult. Usually the braces are places first and the jaw surgeries are done towards the end of the orthodontic care. The teeth are moved into a position where the best fit is obtained immediately after the jaw surgery.
Any time the front teeth are in anterior cross-bite the patient should see an Orthodontist immediately! We caught it in time on this patient, the gums were just starting to recede on the lower teeth. The pressure of the biting forces on the front teeth will cause gum recession and the cross-bite will be an unbalance which may set off TMD or jaw joint problems. The teeth and gum health will only get worse over time. Here a simple sagittal retainer was worn for only 2 months full time to forever correct this condition. Why wait for potential tooth loss or the headaches which can result from potential TMD?
An anterior (front) permanent tooth in crossbite should be corrected very early after the 1st molars (6 year molars) erupt. The picture shows an upper right front tooth on the inside of the lower teeth when the teeth come together. In this case the cross-bite in front is very hard for the jaw joint balance and will place periodontal stress on the other nearby teeth. Notice the gum recession on the lower front tooth where the upper tooth in cross-bite pushes the lower tooth out of the bone. The teeth will continue crowed and space and the gum attachment get worse. 
In addition to treating patients orthodontically, Dr. Garvey also treat patients who have temporo-mandibular dysfunction often called TMD or TMJ. He personally has had this condition for years which gives him first hand experience. Less than a year ago he did his own braces to help improve the function of the bite to improve the TM condition. TMD is multi-factorial and many varied aspects of total health are involved. A comprehensive health history is taken and often TMJ records are needed for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.