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Why Early Treatment?
- Facial Development – 75% of 12-year-olds need orthodontic treatment. Yet 90% of a child’s face has already developed! By guiding facial development earlier through the use of functional appliances, 80% of the treatment can be corrected before the adult teeth are present.
- Cooperation – younger children between the ages of 8 and 11 are often much more cooperative than children ages 12-14.
- Shorter Treatment Time – Another advantage of early Phase One treatment is that children need to wear fixed braces on their adult teeth for less time.
Phase One: FJO
Functional Jaw Orthopedics (FJO) is the newest, most progressive form of orthodontic treatment. This approach treats teeth and jaws starting at birth to manage growth, development and deformation. With this method, various dental techniques are used in one or more phases of treatment to give patients beautiful, broad, healthy smiles.
FJO using functional appliances can help correct:
- Bite problems
- Underdeveloped jaws
- Narrow arches
- Crowded teeth
- Deep overbites
- Jaw joint problems
- Airway problems
- Thumbsucking habits
Phase Two: Braces
Early use of functional appliances often cuts down dramatically on the lengthy procedure of straightening teeth with fixed braces. To reduce treatment time even more, Dr. Billings uses the clinically-proven Damon® System braces.
Independent university research in the U.S. and Europe has concluded that the triangular design of Damon System braces exerts up to ten times less frictional force compared to conventional braces. Consequently, teeth move faster and easier. Damon System braces are also more comfortable with minimal wire tightening. Often, this means less adjustments than with conventional braces.
Our patients love the ability to mix and match available rubber band colors on their braces to show their school spirit, celebrate a holiday, publicize their favorite colors or make their braces as discreet as possible.