HELPING YOUR CHILDS JAW GROW
STATE OF THE ART CHOICES FOR INFORMED PATIENTS.
GROWTH-MODIFYING APPLIANCES
Growth modification is necessary when the patient has unbalanced growth between the upper and lower jaws. This type of treatment can only be done for patients who are still growing. Below are some of the growth modification appliances frequently used in our office:
TWIN BLOCK
This is a full-time appliance that consists of an upper and lower retainer that fit together in a certain way to advance the lower jaw. This is a removable appliance and requires superior patient compliance with regard to wear instructions. This appliance is used in patients who have unbalanced jaw growth with the upper jaw outgrowing the lower jaw. This appliance is usually used in a growing patient around the time they are reaching their pre-pubertal growth spurt.
MANDIBULAR ANTERIOR REPOSITIONING APPLIANCE (MARA)
This is a full-time appliances that is bonded to the permanent first molars on the upper and lower arches. This appliance can be used in conjunction with braces to decrease the amount of time in treatment. This appliance is also used in patients who have unbalanced jaw growth with the upper jaw outgrowing the lower jaw. This appliance is usually used in a growing patient around the time they are reaching their pre-pubertal growth spurt.
HEADGEAR
This is a part-time appliance that is worn inside the house and to bed every night. It is also used in patients who have unbalanced jaw growth with the upper jaw outgrowing the lower jaw. This appliance slows down the forward growth of the upper jaw and allows the lower jaw to catch up. This appliance is usually used in a growing patient around the time they are reaching their pre-pubertal growth spurt.
FACE MASK
This is a part-time appliance, like Headgear, that is also worn inside the house and to bed every night. This appliance is used in patients with unbalanced jaw growth with the lower jaw outgrowing the upper jaw. Unlike Headgear or the Twin Block appliance, the younger the patient is the better the orthopedic correction that can be made in the shortest amount of time. This appliance is ineffective at advancing the upper jaw once the patient has reached puberty.