Dentofacial Orthopedics

You may have noticed that our doctor specializes in “Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.”  Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Dr. Howell chose to pursue a specialty, which required additional schooling during a two and one-half year residency program.  While orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. Appliances are frequently used — the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like growth guiding appliances and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are used at the same time. So if your child gets braces and a growth modifying appliance, he's actually undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Being skilled in both areas, our doctor is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.