Enhancing Facial Growth

You may have noticed that Dr. Ebert specializes in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the "dentofacial orthopedics" part of the title. We can explain!

Every orthodontist starts out in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Others choose to pursue a dental specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two- to three-year residency program. There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association. Some you are likely familiar with are Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children), Periodontics (dentistry focusing on the gums), and Oral Surgery.

One of the nine specialties is Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. You probably know that an orthodontist straightens teeth, and indeed: "ortho" comes from the Greek for "straight" or "correct," and "dontic" from the Greek for "teeth." But what about dentofacial orthopedics? "Dentofacial" is "teeth" plus "face" while "ortho" again means "straight" and "pedic" is from the Greek for "child."

Essentially, while orthodontics involves the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood and adolescence. In both cases, appliances are frequently used – the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances if facial growth would benefit from modification. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time.

Because Dr. Ebert is skilled in both areas, she is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.