In a growing patient
with a significant overbite caused by a short lower jaw, a functional appliance
can be used. The appliance holds the
lower jaw forward for 10-12 months until the teeth and jaws have adapted to the
new, correct position. Braces are worn
in conjunction with the functional appliance and continue to be worn after the
appliance is removed to finalize bite correction and tooth alignment. This patient was treated for a total of 2 years and 5 months.
Before
After
Profile
photographs below show improved facial balance resulting from functional appliance
treatment and braces. The Lower jaw is moved forward to correct the bite.
Before
After
In the intra-oral photographs below, you can see that before treatment, the lower jaw is
back. The upper front teeth are flared
forward and there is a space between the top teeth. After treatment, the lower jaw has come
forward and upper teeth angulations and spacing is corrected
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
The X-rays show the relative position of the jaws and teeth before and after treatment.
Before
After
Cases such as this demonstrate why it is so critical to have children evaluated by an orthodontist at a fairly early age. If this patient were not treated in her youth while she was still growing, this type of result could not be achieved. Adults with this type of malocclusion require jaw surgery to reset the bones in order achieve similar results.
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