Functional Jaw Orthopedic Services by Dr. Michael Dagostino Parma Ohio
Functional Jaw Orthopedics ( Orthopaedics )
Creating Beautiful Broad Smiles and Healthy Temporomandibular Joints ( TMJ )
What? Functional orthodontics considers both the jaws and the
teeth, and the complex relationship between the two.
How? It is common that a dentist performing functional jaw
orthopedic ( FJO ) treatment will treat the patient in two phases. First,
an orthopedic appliance is inserted into the mouth to move bone. These
functional appliances are removable or fixed devices which alter the growth of
the jawbone to correct many problems such as airway obstruction, mouth
breathing, over bites (class II), under bites (class III) and other bone
formation pathology. In most cases, the purpose of the appliance is to
expand the arch to allow the teeth to fit in, rather than the traditional
orthodontist approach of extracting healthy teeth. In the second
phase of treatment, orthodontics (braces) are used to straighten or align teeth
to hold the jaws in place for a beautiful smile and a healthy temporomandibular
joint (TMJ).
Why? Practitioners trained and experienced in performing Functional
Jaw Orthopedic treatment are not only concerned with the teeth, but also with
the jaw joints, the jawbones and the facial muscles used for chewing. The
need for tooth extraction or multiple ( serial ) extraction with this method is
greatly reduced. The more teeth that a patient can keep produces a more
broad smile and a healthy TMJ. A common misconception is that
protruding upper front teeth (over bite) need to be pulled backward, whereas the
real problem is that the lower jaw needs to be moved forward. In the most severe
overbite cases the lower jaw (recessive mandible) is the problem. Our goal
with FJO treatment is to establish a stable occlusion (bite) in which the teeth,
bones and muscles are all working harmoniously, as well as a beautiful broad
smile. As patients become more educated about the ill effects of
unnecessary tooth extraction and retruding jaws, FJO is becoming very popular.
When? Jaw imbalance affects patients of all ages. Dr.
Dagostino treats patients as young as 3 years old. By the age of 6, most
(up to 80%) of the jaw growth has occurred. Active FJO treatment between
the ages of 2 and 6 years of age can effectively guide proper growth and
development of the jaws, the teeth and the airway. Whether you are a
child, adolescent, adult or in your senior years wearing dentures, an FJO
examination can evaluate your present jaw positioning, its potential risks on
your health and provide a treatment plan for the correction jaw health.
Symptoms of TMD, Malocclusion, Airway Problems and Narrow or Retruded Jaws.
Those who experience these symptoms could benefit by a Functional Jaw Orthopedic
examination:
- airway function
- allergies
- bad bites (overbites, underbites, crossbites)
- bed wetting
- ear aches and related problems
- ear infections
- finger habits (thumb and finger sucking)
- grinding and clenching
- head aches
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- heart disease
- hypertension
- infections
- mouth breathing
- narrow or underdeveloped jaws
- neck or facial pain
- sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea
- speech difficulty
- tongue thrusting
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Who? Functional Jaw Orthopedic treatments are performed by a growing
number of highly trained general dentists, pediatric dentists and orthodontists
worldwide. Dr. Dagostino has been educated and practicing FJO dentistry
since 1986. His appetite for continued education on the subject of FJO
dentistry results in world travel to attend courses, both to learn and lecture
on the subject.
Glossary of terms:
FJO - functional jaw orthopedics (orthopaedics)
TMJ - temporomandibular joint (s)
TMD - temporomandibular joint disorder
Occlusion - Occlusion is basically the way a person’s teeth fit together
and malocclusion or “bad bite” can cause a plethora of dental and/or
systemic problems.
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