Dentofacial Orthopedics

Jaw Alignment

Commonly, orthodontists will use braces to adjust the alignment of a patient’s teeth, to improve the function and overall appearance of their teeth. However, for some patients, the problem can be more deeply rooted in the jaw alignment, resulting in decreased function and, often times, severe pain.

Patients who have misaligned jaws can experience any number of symptoms. This includes headaches, dizziness, oral pain or discomfort, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue, irritability, locking or clicking of the jaw, and ringing ears. The misalignment can also cause problems for the teeth, resulting in wear or cracking and increased sensitivity.

In some patients, the jaw and face develop and grow improperly, resulting in a misalignment of the mandible and maxillary bones. Some patients may experience an overbite, which occurs when the lower jaw and teeth are too far back from the upper teeth. The opposite of this would be an underbite, which occurs when the upper front teeth are behind the lower front teeth when a patient bites together. A crossbite occurs when the patient’s upper back teeth are set in too far from the lower back teeth when they bite together.

Treatments

Since there are various types of jaw misalignment, there are also various ways to treat the problem. Dentofacial orthopedic treatments in Brooklyn are often recommended for children since their jaws are still growing and developing, but treatments can also be used for adults.

Depending on a patient’s particular case, Dr. AlJanabi may suggest a special orthodontic appliance that will gradually correct the alignment. Commonly used appliances include palatal expanders, a Forsus appliance, a Twin Block appliance, and a MARA appliance. These treatments will often be combined with braces to ensure the patient’s bite is exactly where it needs to be for health, function, and aesthetics.

In some instances, patients may need to undergo surgery to correct the issue. In these cases, Dr. AlJanabi would adjust the location and positioning of the jaw to correct the patient’s condition. This treatment is used for more difficult cases and is typically reserved for adults whose jaws are no longer developing and growing.

Contact Brooklyn Orthodontics

Dentofacial orthopedic treatments in Brooklyn are a valuable aspect of orthodontic care. Fortunately, for patients of Brooklyn Orthodontics, Dr. Mohamed AlJanabi has undergone an additional three years of specialized training and education to ensure he is well versed in proper procedures. This is in addition to the high-quality education he received at SUNY Storybrook, where he attended dental school. Because of his extensive education, he is able to diagnose all misalignments that may occur within a patient’s mouth.

Properly treating jaw misalignment can greatly improve the life of those who suffer. Patients who undergo treatment see a reduction in pain, a corrected bite, and an overall improvement to their life.

If you feel you or a loved one may be in need of dentofacial orthopedic treatments in Bay Ridge, please contact our office at your convenience. Our well-trained staff is available to address any concerns and answer any questions you may have.