Functional Jaw
Orthopedics or FJO Treatment is a progressive
form of treatment that combines two methods of straightening
teeth and jaws. By using fixed and removable appliances
to get superior results, FJO Treatment works with
growth and development to give patients beautiful
broad smiles.
Fixed Appliance
Orthodontics or Traditional Orthodontics (braces),
uses brackets bonded to each tooth. Then wires connect
the brackets providing forces to move the teeth.
Removable Appliance
Orthodontics or European Orthodontics uses
sophisticated removable appliances that work in harmony
with specific muscle forces to move the teeth. The use
of removable appliances is not new, they've been used
in Europe since the 1920s.
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How
does Functional Jaw Orthopedics differ from Traditional
Orthodontics?
Functional Jaw
Orthopedics treats earlier when problems are
recognized, and usually aims to make room for teeth
to fit in, resulting in broader smiles. Traditional
orthodontics treats later with more extractions of teeth,
resulting in narrower smiles. Because the difference
in smile results can be seen, FJO Treatment is increasing
even as the removal of teeth has been decreasing. The
bottom line is that since most people who need orthodontic
treatment have crowded or protruding teeth, either you
start early to make room for teeth, or you accept later
you may only have the option to have teeth removed.
Functional Jaw
Orthopedics is progressive and most importantly
shows superior clinical results–nicer wider smiles.
FJO treatment is practiced by a growing number of highly
skilled general dentists, pedodontists, and orthodontists
in both Europe and North America.
Traditional
Orthodontic methods such as the use of serial
extractions have been decreasing. For many years the
traditional method of treating crowded and protruded
teeth included early removal of primary (baby) teeth,
and then the removal of secondary (adult) premolar or
bicuspid teeth. This resulted in clearly smaller dental
arches and obviously smaller narrower smiles.
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ADVANTAGES of
Functional Jaw Orthopedics
|
1.
|
Treats the TOTAL patient...Face...Teeth...and
TMJ. |
|
2.
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Beautiful Broad Smiles
and Nice Pleasing Facial Profiles. |
|
3.
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Pleasing Facial Balance
as Growth Continues. |
|
4.
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Healthier TMJs (Jaw
Joints). No Head Gear. |
|
5.
|
Very Stable Results. |
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6.
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Fewer Teeth are Removed. |
|
7.
|
Removable Appliances
are Easier to Clean, teeth and gums too. |
|
8.
|
Removable Appliances
are Less Conspicuous, and Can be Removed for Athletics,
Playing Musical Instruments, and Public Speaking. |
|
9.
|
Treatment Can be Started
Much Earlier, at Age 3 to 8, Correcting Problems
Early When Small, Rather than Waiting Until Age
11-14 When Problems are Larger. |
|
10.
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Superior Treatment
Results Are Easily Seen in the Smiles! |
|
11.
|
Patients Grow
Into a Smile, Not Out of One.
|
Requires TOTAL PATIENT
COOPERATION...if a patient has no self-discipline and
does not wear the appliances, wears them only intermittently
or keeps them in his/her pocket or purse, they will
not work. This limits results attainable.
