What is Holistic Orthodontic Treatment?

We consider holistic orthodontic treatment as the first phase of orthodontic treatments. We usually start providing these treatments from ages 5 through 9 years old. Holistic orthodontic treatments help children correctly develop their jaw and allow teeth to grow in correctly. Without growth guidance, children can develop airway problems that cause sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, improper tongue position which can cause speech problems amongst other issues, and TMJ disorders. With holistic orthodontics, we can help prevent all of these issues from occurring.

Benefits of Holistic Orthodontics

Preventing problems from occurring in your child can benefit their health in numerous ways including:

  • Reduce braces treatment time or prevent the need altogether
  • Prevent sleep disorders and other breathing issues
  • Reduce or eliminate the need to extract permanent teeth
  • Guide facial symmetry growth
  • Improve or prevent speech problems
  • Correct oral habits
  • Reduce or eliminate malocclusions
  • Simplify future orthodontic treatments
  • Prevent the need for jaw surgery

Holistic Orthodontic Treatment Lee’s Summit, MOBiobloc Appliance Therapy (Orthotropics)

“Biobloc” is actually a series of removable orthodontic appliances (and some brackets on the front teeth if recommended) that are worn full time, even during eating, sports, and sleep. They are made of hard acrylic and wire(s).

BioBloc is an orthodontic technique that can correct the upper jaw in all three planes of space (wider, more forward, and back up where it belongs) and bring the lower jaw forward without anchoring on the upper jaw to do it.

Orthotropics is guiding the natural growth of the face from a young age to avoid mal-development. This is an appliance that our practice offers.

Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF)

ALF appliances have many different designs and purposes. Most designs are very small, thin (but durable) all wire (no acrylic). ALF is a non-invasive appliance.

ALF care can address the underlying causes of crooked teeth. Locked up bones in the cranium, mouth breathing, tongue position, habits like thumb sucking, nutrition, posture, genetics: they all have an effect on how the face grows, the jaws form, and the teeth line up. ALF appliances are very kind to the TM joints.

There are many goals of ALF treatment. Establishing a healthier occlusion to stabilize the jaw joints, address facial asymmetries, have a positive effect on one’s airway, enhance proper facial growth and development, and encourage proper tongue posturing and function.

ALF results can include a gorgeous smile, minimizing the risks for jaw joint dysfunction, and improved airway health.

Homeoblock Appliance

We use the Homeoblock Appliance to expand arches, to increase nasal patency, and improve nasal breathing. This appliance is also very good when we want to promote bone growth and bone remodeling. Older teenagers and adults benefit the most from using Homeoblock appliances.

Myobrace

Another appliance we recommend our patients use is Myobrace. Myobrace is recommended for ages 5 to 15 years old and it only requires one hour of wear per day and while sleeping to address any underlying causes of crooked teeth. Myobrace encourages natural growth and development in the mouth. Wearing this appliance may prevent the need for any sort of braces in the future.

Would you like to set your child up for healthy jaw growth development and potentially prevent the need for braces down the line? With holistic orthodontic treatment, you can. Most of the appliances only need to be worn during sleep so they won’t disrupt your child’s daily life.

If you’re interested in learning more or find out if holistic orthodontic treatment is right for your child, contact Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea in Lee’s Summit to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pribyl today. Please call (816) 795-1000 to schedule an appointment.