Dentofacial Orthopedics

You may have noticed that Dr. Crawford 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 has received an advanced degree from dental school. After completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as general dentists. Some dentists choose to continue their schooling for an additional two to three years in a post-doctorate program to pursue specialist certification in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association. 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 entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. In both cases, appliances are frequently used – the more familiar braces or Invisalign appliances for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like expanders, space maintainers, and headgears, depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces with an early interceptive phase of treatment commonly referred to as Phase 1, but often the two are accomplished at the same time in a comprehensive treatment stage at 12-14 years of age. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he’s undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics!

Because Dr. Crawford is skilled in both areas, she is able to diagnose many 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.