Over time, the changes in our diet and agriculture have been associated with reduction of our jaw size as we have evolved. As a result, many of us end up with football player’s teeth in ballerina jaws. This means that our jaws are oftentimes smaller than what is optimal for our adult teeth to comfortably fit. We expect that, in the future, there will be more need for surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy to accommodate the limited spacing that exists in our jaws for our teeth.
Additionally, since the bone housing is so limited, the orthodontist can only move the teeth so much, and many times at the end of the movement, we see a lot of gum recession. Surgically facilitated orthodontic treatment is the solution to the problem of having insufficient bone to accommodate tooth movement.
During the treatment process, Dr. Ntounis or Dr. Pitman will work to create a denser, stronger bone base so that your orthodontist can shift your teeth into their proper position. By creating a stronger base, the complex tooth structure will remain stable while the arch width of your jaw can be expanded without having to extract teeth for your orthodontic treatment.
Synergy Periodontics and Implants will work with an orthodontist to plan the treatment and the timing for the SFOT procedure. After the periodontist has performed the necessary surgery and the patient has healed sufficiently, the orthodontist will then place the appliances on the patient’s teeth and make adjustments every other week or so as needed for the desired movement. Because the providers work together, patients can be assured that they are receiving the best care possible while working towards an optimal outcome.
Surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy is an advanced procedure used when there is insufficient bone to expand the arches for tooth movement. In some cases, the bone is too thin to move teeth with traditional orthodontics and the arches still need to be expanded.
Additional benefits of surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy (SFOT) include:
- Reduces need for extractions to create space
- Enhanced aesthetics to include adequate lip support and ideal function
- Maximizes orthodontic possibilities
- Enlarges arches
- Creates long-term stability
If you believe you may need surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy, or have been discussing treatment options with your orthodontist, contact Synergy Periodontics & Implants for a consultation. We would love to help you find your best smile.