What is Functional Orthodontics?

The objectives of functional orthodontic treatment include creating a full broad smile, a pleasing facial profile, a healthy and functional bite and jaw joints, and a stable and lasting result. AAFO Members are dedicated to a lifetime of study and practice to achieve the finest results possible for their patients.

Functional orthodontics utilizes the muscles of chewing to promote the proper growth and development of the teeth and jaws. By the use of various dental devices, or appliances, proper tongue and jaw position are created that eliminate negative forces on the teeth. Functional appliances are exceptionally good at aligning the upper and lower jaws in growing children. These appliances are usually made of a combination of plastic and wires, similar to a common retainer, but much more powerful in their effect upon the dentition.

Usually functional orthodontic treatment involves aligning the upper and lower jaws by use of a functional appliance, and then aligning the individual teeth via the use of standard braces. The long term results of this combined type of treatment, as opposed to using only standard braces, tend to be more esthetically pleasing and stable.