As stated above most patients have an underdeveloped upper jaw and mid face. The lower jaw thus becomes entrapped and retruded. Dr. Buck believes in an approach that stimulates growth of the upper jaw at the same time as stimulating the lower jaw to also grow forward. Here is an example of in less than 8 months a growing patient can have corrected jaw growth patterns and expression.

Is an orthodontist recommending extractions to make room for remaining, straightened teeth? That’s a sign the full face and long-term health is not being fully considered. Extractions are amputations, and Epigenetic science has ended the need for extractions. For most of us in modern society, underdeveloped jaw and facial bones are like a broken foundation for our teeth. Dr. Buck believes in fixing the foundation, not just moving teeth around in a broken foundation. With just a few months of Epigenetic orthopedic treatment to fully develop the jaws, all your natural teeth will fit into the jaws. When there is the proper amount of room nature intended, we can straighten your teeth, make everything fit right and avoid any future maladies that are caused by the orthodontics process that tries to force the teeth to be straight in a broken foundation.

Dr. Buck believes in creating broad and full arch forms. This provides for beautiful smiles that create a stunning first impression, but as importantly allows maximum room for the tongue to position up in the palate comfortably which protects the airway during sleep. An open airway means no forward posture insuring a healthy cervical spine.

The picture shows a comparison of conventional orthodontic treatment arch form, versus a broad arch form created by physiologic “roman arch” form wires.

The left side is the lower arch, and the right side is the upper arch. The circled models show clearly the well rounded forms Dr. Buck has created by using these wires. Note how the traditional “gothic arch” wire creates a much smaller form.

Orthodontics straighten your teeth for a beautiful smile. However, patients with under-developed jaw bones who undergo Epigenetic treatments see an improvement in facial bone structure resulting in a more attractive appearance. The corrupt pattern of facial and jaw development always leads to narrower and longer faces with the collapse of both jaws in a down and backward trajectory. This results in a larger appearing nose; thin and unattractive lips; sunken cheek bones; weak and retruded lower jaws; bags under the eyes; sloping foreheads. In fact our transcendent appreciation of facial beauty or the lack thereof follows this theme.

Notice the artists interpretation of beauty is a more face forward horizontally developed profile, while decreasing beauty parallels the path of faulty growth.

A properly proportioned jaw completes a shape in the lower face that makes the face more attractive. Combined with a smile of straight teeth resulting from orthodontics, an Epigenetic approach to orthodontics can have the result of both facelift and cosmetic dentistry.

Traditionally orthodontic work has been done mostly on teens.  However, recent breakthroughs in orthodontic technology such as clear braces and Invisalign^® have removed many adults’ cosmetic objections to braces.  Epigenetic science also has dispelled a long-sustained myth that underdeveloped jaws cannot be grown out naturally in adults.

Thanks to Epigenetic science, orthodontics has become the answer for adults wanting to straighten teeth and the can be the answer for some adults seeking relieve from TMJ pain headaches including migraines, and most cases of sleep apnea.  An Epigenetic approach to orthodontics in teens means straightening teeth and securing a stable bone structure reducing the chances of TMJ and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in later life.

Dr. Buck also uses an Infrared Laser for all orthodontic patients at all visits as it greatly decreases discomfort associated with moving teeth and gently speeds up treatment as well.

Conventional orthodontics straightens the teeth, but very often does not positively enhance growth in a face forward direction. Note the example on the left is a conventional orthodontics and the treatment actually lengthens the face, hurting the esthetics of the face and also puts the TMJ’s at risk as well as the airway. This is due in large part to the unrecognized underdeveloped midface and upper jaw. Notice the case on the right which had orthopedic growth guidance to grow the mid face and upper jaw, which at the same time allows the lower jaw to follow in a forward or horizontal direction. The result is a better looking face and more open airway, along with protected TM joints. This young patient can now finish growing into adulthood with a much reduced risk of upper cervical spine problems; no sleep apnea; healthy and stable TMJ’s, and a much better looking face. Dr. Buck believes in an approach to maximize the total health of the bite system, not just straight teeth. However, a healthy foundation in harmony with body physiology will of course allow for straight teeth.

Observe the effects of extracting four bicuspids (premolars) from the dental arches for orthodontic purposes. These identical twins had identical bad bites of crooked teeth (malocclusions). The twin on the left had four bicuspids extracted and orthodontic treatments of the traditional variety. Her twin sister, on the right side, had her malocclusion treated the European Functional Jaw Orthopedics way using removable Functional Appliances as a part of her treatment plan, and most importantly, she did NOT have four bicuspids extracted as part of the treatment. Look Closely. Now remember, these photos are not repeats of the same person but individual pictures of two different persons, identical twins. After orthodontic treatment was completed, notice the difference in facial appearance of the girls’ faces. The girl on the left has had four bicuspids extracted and traditional American style metal braces. The girl on the right had her treatment done by means of European style removable Functional Appliances and did NOT have any teeth removed. Notice the wide face, the broader smile, the fuller appearance to the entire smile line, and the fullness and beauty of the lower facial structure!

Functional Orthopedic Orthodontics

Functional orthopedic orthodontics emphasizes how the muscles, jaw joints and teeth affect one another. A proper gearing of the teeth to function in harmony with the jaw joints and muscles will allow the teeth to wear and function evenly, be stable and decrease any trauma to the surrounding supporting bone. Narrow dental arch forms are properly developed to a full contour–enhancing breathing and appearance. The “functional jaw orthopedic approach” is a very important approach that will help you achieve your goals of an improved profile and facial appearance, as well as the establishment of a proper joint position that ensures optimum TMJ health, appearance and comfort.

Functional orthopedic orthodontics
Narrow dental arch forms are properly developed to a full contour–enhancing breathing and appearance. The functional approach is far superior as the lower jaw is moved forward with jaw repositioning appliances while the child is still growing. parents and children prefer the non-surgical orthopedic approach.

By the use of dental appliances, a proper tongue and jaw position is created to eliminate negative forces on the teeth. Our functional orthopedic orthodontic treatment involves aligning the upper and lower arches by use of appliance therapy, and then aligning the individual teeth via the use of braces. The long-term results of this combined type of treatment, as opposed to using only standard braces, tend to be more esthetically pleasing, stable, and shortens treatment time. Crowded teeth with seemingly little space should certainly be properly evaluated to prevent permanent tooth extractions.

The combination of these two phases of treatment ensures beautiful faces, full lips and outstanding profiles.

State of the art computerized diagnostics and functional jaw scans are used before beginning the treatment

to determine the proper jaw position
to determine an optimal muscle length, function and comfort
to identify a correct treatment end-point for proper tooth positioning.

Our approach is to look at the fundamental and structural components of the face, which includes the jaw, the jaw joints and muscles. Once we can determine were these structures want to naturally function with the least strain, the teeth can then be moved to a proper position for function, stability and appearance.

TMD Screening Consultation

TMD Head, Neck Pain Exam and Workup

Conventional Orthodontics

Conventional or retractive orthodontics, looks at straightening teeth for esthetics and appearance and assumes that the facial muscles and jaw joints will accommodate to their new position. Teeth are considered for extraction if there is insufficient space to align the teeth. Making the teeth look straight is often the primary concern. Narrow and constricted arches will often result. This approach often does not consider the impact it has on the airway (breathing) of the individual. The head, neck as well as the jaw joint position is often ignored.

Conventional or retractive orthodontics
Traditional orthodontics treats receding lower jaws by surgically moving them forward. Traditional orthodontics, which involves the use of headgear and bicuspid extractions, does not consistently provide the patient with joint stability and can aggravate jaw joint problems. Joint stability is a principal concern to Dr. Buck and his team.

Those patients that have been treated by conventional orthodontic techniques have complained of having problems such as high vaulted palates causing breathing problems, under developed dental arch form, gum recession, unstable teeth, continual use of retainers, teeth not gearing properly, improper vertical position, as well as developing TMJ symptoms with persistent head and neck problems.