What is Orofacial Myofunctional Pre-orthodontics?
Optimizing Jaw Growth and Function through Early Intervention
At Sovereign Dental, our Orofacial Myofunctional Pre-orthodontics program is dedicated to optimizing jaw growth and function through early intervention. This approach addresses issues such as mouth breathing, tongue ties, narrow dental arches, and teeth crowding.
Early assessment, ideally by ages 3 to 4, aims to harness natural growth potential and prevent later complications such as snoring and sleep disorders. Our multidisciplinary approach involves collaboration with various health professionals to ensure holistic care, emphasizing optimal breathing, sleeping, swallowing, and eating habits.
Why Treat Early?
Growth studies indicate that 50-60% of head bone development is completed by age 4, 80% by age 6, and 90% by ages 9 to 11. Early treatment offers several significant benefits:
Minimizes the Need for Extractions: Early intervention can often eliminate or minimize the need to extract healthy adult teeth.-
Reduces the Need for Braces: Proper jaw development can reduce the need for braces or make subsequent orthodontic treatment easier and shorter.-
Unlocks Genetic Potential: Early treatment can help widen the jaws, correct the bite, and achieve optimal function.-
Improves Overall Health: Better breathing and sleep can help eliminate bedwetting, improve skin and respiratory conditions, enhance digestion, and prevent ear, nose, and throat issues.-
Prevents Sleep-disordered Breathing: Addressing sleep-disordered breathing early can prevent cognitive and developmental issues, such as a reduction in IQ, ADHD, weakened immune system, inhibited growth, and increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Our Approach
At Sovereign Dental, we focus on early evaluation and intervention for jaw growth by optimizing the function of the mouth and facial muscles. This comprehensive approach ensures that activities such as feeding, chewing, swallowing, drinking, speaking, and breathing are performed in a way that promotes favorable jaw development.
The tongue plays a crucial role in this process by applying pressure against the jaw and palate from the inside. Dysfunctional tongue movements, due to low tone, poor posture, or restrictions like a tongue tie, can lead to issues such as narrowed dental arches, crowding, malocclusion, and a high palate.
Case Studies and Multidisciplinary Care
Case studies with before-and-after photos of orofacial myofunctional pre-orthodontic treatment demonstrate that while results vary, thorough evaluation and documentation are essential to determine the most suitable treatment options and recommendations. Given the interconnected nature of the mouth and face with the body’s functional systems, a multidisciplinary approach is not just beneficial but essential.
This involves collaboration with various health professionals, including:-Neurodevelopmental chiropractors- Pediatric cranial osteopaths- Breathing educators- Allergists- ENT specialists- Naturopaths- Nutritionists- Pediatricians- Integrative medical general practitioners- Sleep physicians- TMJ dentists- Specialist orthodontists- Oral surgeons- Oral health therapists- Orofacial myologists- General dentistsThis team approach ensures that all aspects of a child’s development and health are considered, providing a comprehensive path to optimal jaw growth and overall well-being.
