Do you have crowded or crooked teeth? Do you also have sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or simply have discomfort in the jaw? You may be an excellent candidate for jaw development orthodontics.Dr. Peterson offers jaw development orthodontics to patients looking to straighten their smiles without the need to remove healthy teeth or change the positioning of the teeth in such a way that new problems in the oral cavity are created. Oftentimes, traditional orthodontics can cause problems with the jaw, including sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), even if they are not already present prior to treatment.Jaw development orthodontics works by growing the jaw to make more space for the teeth, allowing the teeth to then move comfortably into their new position while improving the aesthetic of the face because the jaw grows naturally. This is not always the case with traditional orthodontics, because sometimes by simply realigning the teeth the symmetry of the face is adjusted.To perform jaw development orthodontic procedures, Dr. Peterson will use 3-D imaging to map out the ideal positioning of the jaw. He partners with Oral Maxillofacial Radiologists, specialists in facial growth, to create this imaging and solution plan. By doing this, he is sure to protect the jaw, airway, teeth, airway, and neck.Another benefit to jaw development orthodontics is that it takes less time to work than traditional orthodontics, which means any minor discomfort (which is usually equivalent to that of traditional orthodontics) will be over faster.If it is determined that more intervention than the wire braces used in this procedure are necessary, you may be prescribed an osseo-restoration appliance (ORA,) or anterior growth guided appliance (AGGA,) may be used. This device stimulates the nasopalatine nerve, encouraging the jaw to grow. For children, a removable anterior growth guidance appliance (RAGGA) may be used. Removable anterior growth guidance appliances are used when children do not have their adult teeth, and stimulates the overall face development, focusing on the middle of the face and upper portion of the jaw.If you are interested in learning more about jaw development orthodontics and how this course of action can get you the orthodontic results you desire, contact Dr. Peterson’s office today!