Functional Jaw Orthodontia (FJO Treatment)

What is Functional Jaw Orthodontia?

Functional Jaw Orthodontia (FJO Treatment) is a progressive form of treatment that combines two methods of straightening teeth and jaws. By using both fixed and removable appliances, FJO Treatment works with growth and development to give patients beautiful broad smiles.

Fixed Appliance Orthodontics or Traditional Orthodontics (braces) uses brackets bonded to each tooth. Then the wires connect the brackets providing forces to move the teeth.

Removable Appliance Orthodontics or European Orthodontics uses sophisticated removable appliances that work in harmony with specific muscle forces to move the teeth.

How does Functional Jaw Orthodontics differ from Traditional Orthodontics?

Functional Jaw Orthodontia treats earlier when problems are recognized, and usually aims to make room for teeth to fit in, resulting in broader smiles. Traditional orthodontics treats later with more extractions of teeth, resulting in narrower smiles. Because the difference in smile results can be seen, FJO Treatment is increasing even as the removal of teeth has been decreasing. The bottom line is that since most people who need orthodontic treatment have crowded or protruding teeth, either you start early to make room for teeth, or you accept later you may only have the option to have teeth removed.

Functional Jaw Orthodontia is progressive and most importantly shows superior clinical results - nicer, wider smiles. FJO Treatment is practiced by a growing number of highly skilled general dentists, periodontists and orthodontists in both Europe and North America.

Traditional Orthodontia methods such as the use of serial extractions have been decreasing. For many years the traditional method of treating crowded and protruded teeth included early removal of primary (baby) teeth, and then the removal of secondary (adult) premolar or bicuspid teeth. This resulted in clearly smaller dental arches and obviously smaller, narrower smiles.

Advantages of Functional Jaw Orthodontia

1. Treats the TOTAL patient...Face...Teeth...and TMJ.
2. Beautiful, broad smiles and pleasing facial profiles.
3. Pleasing facial balance as growth continues.
4. Healthier TMJs (Jaw Joints).
5. Very stable results.
6. Fewer teeth are removed.
7. Removable appliances are less conspicuous and can be removed for athletics, playing musical instruments and public speaking. (Age-related compliance).
8. Treatment can be started much earlier, at age 3-8, correcting problems early when small rather than waiting until age 11-14 when problems are larger.
9. Considers suspected airway issues:
• Treatment of airway in children deals with sleep patterns, attention, behavioral issues, etc.
• Mouth breathing leads to forward head posturing which leads to neck/shoulder/back postural issues.
10. Superior treatment results are easily seen in the smiles!
11. Patients grow into a smile, not out of one.

Disadvantage of Functional Jaw Orthodontia

Requires TOTAL PATIENT COOPERATION...if a patient does not wear the appliances, wears them only intermittently or keeps them in his/her pocket or purse, they will not work. This limits attainable results.

Who Provides Functional Jaw Orthodontic Treatment?

Choosing orthodontic/orthopedic treatment is a serious, costly decision and one that often includes considering the removal of teeth. To decide in the best interest of yourself or your child, carefully compare the methods of treatment.

1. Ask how many teeth will be removed - initially or later.
2. Ask which teeth will be removed; and why.
3. Ask if treatment will leave your face with a broad, natural, full smile.
4. Ask how treatment might affect your temporomandibular joints.
5. Ask if other diagnostic radiographs will be used in addition to a dental film such as lateral cephalometric to assess airway and skeletal growth and development.
6. Are airway influences addressed such as:
• a. How mouth breathing affects growth and development of the face and jaws.
• b. How mouth breathing can lead to orthodontic relapse with or without retainer use.
7. Are referrals ever made to ENTs for evaluation of airway?
8. Ask to see before and after photographs of patients treated.