Dentofacial Orthopedics

Our experienced orthodontist, Dr. Tripti Pawar, is committed to creating incredible results! A huge part of that commitment is providing truly comprehensive orthodontic care.

Through dentofacial orthopedics, Dr. Pawar takes orthodontic treatment one step further to achieve a perfect outcome.

A maxillary skeletal expander (MSE)
Logo for Greater Northwest Orthodontics with turquoise mountain and clear smile in center

What is dentofacial orthopedics?

It’s not just about the appearance of the smile. It’s about facial structure too—where ‘dento’ meets ‘facial’. 

Orthodontic treatment primarily focuses on the position of the teeth and jaw bones, whereas dentofacial orthopedics focuses on the development of the face as it relates to the teeth and jaws. 

The purpose of dentofacial orthopedics is to guide the bones that support the teeth and contribute to the appearance of the face to support harmonious, proportional development. 

By combining orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics into a custom treatment plan, Dr. Pawar can optimize the patient’s aesthetics and functionality with greater comfort and efficiency.

Who’s a candidate for dentofacial orthopedics?

Dentofacial orthopedic treatment is most efficient when the jaw bones and facial bones are still developing. Treatment that begins while the bones are still growing works in tandem with the patient’s natural development process. 

Because children’s bones are still developing, early treatment with dentofacial orthopedics is highly-effective and can reduce treatment time significantly.

What can I expect with dentofacial orthopedics?

To find out whether your teeth or jaw bone alignment is affecting your facial structure, you can schedule your complimentary consultation with our orthodontist in Issaquah.

Dr. Pawar will perform a full exam to assess your teeth and jaw bones. Depending on your age and your specific condition, Dr. Pawar may suggest a comprehensive treatment of dentofacial orthopedics with orthodontics.

Orthodontic appliances are often used with a full treatment of braces or Invisalign® to treat the jaws, teeth and facial features with the most efficiency. For example, a narrow palate (upper jaw bone) is sometimes the cause of facial irregularities and misalignments, so a palatal expander is a common appliance used to widen the palate to accommodate all teeth, while creating a harmonious facial structure. 

When we create your treatment plan, it’s personalized to you and your needs. Once we examine your smile, we can determine the best plan of action to help you achieve your ideal smile.

Have questions about dentofacial orthopedics?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

Dr. Tripti Pawar and our experienced team are here to guide you and support you along your treatment process, while you achieve the perfect smile.

Ready to get started? Request your complimentary consultation at our conveniently located orthodontist office in Issaquah today!