What is Holistic Orthodontic Treatment?

We consider holistic orthodontic treatment as the first phase of orthodontic care. Typically starting between the ages of 5 and 9, our Independence, MO dentists guide proper jaw development and allow teeth to grow in correctly. By focusing on early growth guidance, we can often make straightening a smile more effective and less complex later in life. Without early intervention, children may face airway problems that contribute to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, improper tongue position leading to speech issues, and even TMJ disorders. With holistic orthodontics, we help prevent these problems before they begin.

Benefits of Holistic Orthodontics

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

  • Reduce Braces Time or Avoid Them Completely: Early treatment can guide teeth into better positions, often making braces shorter or unnecessary later on.
  • Prevent Sleep and Breathing Issues: Proper jaw and airway development can reduce the risk of sleep disorders like sleep apnea and snoring.
  • Avoid Permanent Tooth Extractions: By creating enough space for teeth to grow naturally, holistic orthodontics may prevent the need for pulling adult teeth.
  • Encourage Balanced Facial Growth: Guiding jaw development supports facial symmetry for a healthier, more attractive smile.
  • Improve or Prevent Speech Problems: Correcting jaw and tongue position early can help children develop clear, confident speech.
  • Correct Harmful Oral Habits: Thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing can be addressed before they cause long-term issues.
  • Reduce or Eliminate Bad Bites (Malocclusions): Early care helps teeth and jaws fit together properly, improving function and comfort.
  • Simplify Future Orthodontics: Early guidance often makes any future orthodontic care easier, faster, and less complex.
  • Prevent the Need for Jaw Surgery: By addressing growth problems early, children are less likely to need major corrective surgery as adults.

Why Choose Our Dentists for Early Orthodontic Care?

While our dentists are not orthodontists, they bring advanced training and a unique perspective to straightening a smile in Independence, MO. As active members of the International Association for Orthodontics (IAO), they stay connected to the latest research, techniques, and treatment philosophies in orthodontics. This membership reflects their dedication to providing safe, effective, and innovative orthodontic solutions for children and families.

In addition, our dentists have advanced training in TMJ treatment. Because the temporomandibular joints play such an important role in jaw growth and facial development, this expertise allows them to identify and address bite imbalances, muscle strain, and jaw joint issues that can affect long-term health. By combining knowledge in orthodontics and TMJ care, they ensure that treatment not only improves the appearance of a smile but also supports comfort, function, and overall well-being.

Parents can feel confident knowing their child is receiving care that blends early intervention with the highest professional standards.

Biobloc Appliance Therapy (Orthotropics)

young boy with a straight smile!

“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.

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.

Give Your Child the Best Start for a Healthy Smile

The earlier your child receives orthodontic guidance, the better their chances for balanced jaw growth, healthy airway development, and a naturally straight smile. With holistic orthodontic treatment, we can often prevent the need for braces, extractions, or even jaw surgery later in life—all while helping your child feel confident as they grow.

Don’t wait until the teen years to think about orthodontics. By starting as early as age 5, you can set your child up for a lifetime of better health and beautiful smiles.

Give your child a healthy start—schedule their early orthodontic consultation today! Call us at (816) 795-1000 to book their visit.