Functional Orthodontics in Raleigh, NC

Most people associate orthodontics with cosmetic benefits like straighter and properly aligned teeth. Although your smile will look better thanks to this dental specialty, orthodontics does not exist for this reason alone. Although not popularly known, functional orthodontics also exists, which has a completely different goal from esthetics. Read on to learn more about functional orthodontics in Raleigh, NC.

What is Functional Orthodontics?

Functional Orthodontics involves repositioning misaligned teeth with the primary goal of correcting patients’ facial and dental structures. It differs from traditional orthodontics because it focuses on the root cause of tooth misalignment to find a solution, not the other way around. Before starting any treatment, an orthodontist will assess and determine the underlying reason for your issue.

A good example would be treating overcrowding. This issue happens when there is not enough jaw space to hold the number of teeth. While traditional orthodontics solves the problem by removing one or two teeth to create space, functional orthodontics focuses on widening the jaw to accommodate all teeth.

Key Features of Functional Orthodontics

Some other things that make functional orthodontics stand out from traditional orthodontics are the following:

• No tooth extractions  – The ultimate goal of functional orthodontics is  to keep all the teeth. The foundation of this specialization is the belief that the teeth themselves have nothing to do with the underlying cause of misalignment.

• Jaw expansion – The goal of this treatment is to encourage jaw growth. Functional orthodontics is the way to go if you want to relieve jaw pain while also improving your alignment. Thanks to an oral device that helps to enlarge the jawbone structure, there is more space in your mouth for all of your teeth to sit comfortably.

• Teeth rarely move back – Traditional orthodontics uses retainers after treatment to prevent teeth from moving back to the wrong position. Functional orthodontics does not require this as the created jaw space is enough to keep the teeth in place.

• Treatment for other oral health issues – Your smile is not the only thing that functional orthodontics will improve. For one, it can be used to treat sleep apnea. Your ability to breathe during sleep is improved by having more space in your jaw.

Improve Jaw Function and Alignment

VP Dental offers functional orthodontics in Raleigh, NC, if you are interested in an alternative approach to treating misalignment. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Preston, and she will be able to determine if this is the right approach to achieving your oral health goals.

Do you wish you had a bright, healthy smile? Visit VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina, to make that dream a reality. Call us at (919) 518-0540 today to learn more about how our experienced dental team and high-quality dental services can improve your smile and oral health!