Dentofacial Orthopedics

All orthodontists begin as general dentists, but those who pursue the specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics complete an extra two to three years of focused residency training. This advanced education not only teaches them how to move teeth into ideal positions but also how to guide the growth and development of the jaws and facial bones—skills that go beyond what a typical dentist learns in dental school.

While traditional orthodontics focuses on straightening teeth with braces or clear aligners, dentofacial orthopedics utilizes appliances such as expanders and headgear to shape the underlying bone structure, particularly in growing patients. By combining both approaches, your doctor can address bite and alignment issues at their source, resulting in stable, balanced smiles and harmonious facial proportions within a single, coordinated treatment plan.