Our Unique Approach

At QRDC we offer a totally unique, highly sophisticated orthodontic solution for our patients. Using the latest, state-of-the-art technology, Dr Stefan is able to identify imbalances in the development of the jaw and dental arches from as early as three years old. Early identification of these problems allow us to use some of the most advanced, orthodontic and orthopaedic appliances to stimulate growth in the developing child’s jaw and dental arches. These appliances, together with a personalised treatment plan, correct problems that often lead to tooth impactions and overcrowding in the teenage mouth, as well as poorly aligned jaws - problems that are very difficult to correct once the patient reaches puberty. And in 99% of even the most extreme cases, NO permanent teeth ever need to be extracted.

 

What Causes Overcrowding?

When we study the development and growth of faces, and particularly our jaws, we find many dynamics that have a profound effect on the cosmetic appearance of our adult facial image.

The size of our lower jaw is genetically determined. However, the upper jaw grows and develops under the direct influence of muscle and air pressure. Every time we swallow or breathe, pressure is placed on the bone of the upper jaw. The jaw then grows in the direction in which these pressures are exerted. When we swallow correctly, our tongue presses against the palate, flattening it out to help develop our jaw width – the wider our upper jaw, the fuller our lips and cheekbones appear in adulthood. When we breathe through our nose, the difference in air pressure between the nose and mouth also helps to shape the upper jaw. These factors have a significant impact as we develop, particularly during the growth spurt years. For our jaws to develop correctly, we need to swallow properly and breathe through our noses.

Incorrect feeding techniques, bottle-feeding, dummies/pacifiers, thumb sucking and incorrect breathing habits all disturb the natural balanced development and growth of our jaws. The result of these factors in all instances is a narrowed and underdeveloped upper jaw, leaving little room for our teeth to erupt. We then find that the teeth become crowded, misaligned and sometimes impacted. It also impedes the position of the lower jaw, forcing it backwards, sideways or both, causing the teeth to settle into an unnatural and irregular bite – very often an overbite or underbite develops. This is completely preventable if treatment starts at an early age.

 

What Impact Does This Have?

The narrow upper jaw, as well as the lower jaw trapped in a backwards position, has a dramatic effect on the appearance of our face, as well as the health of the joint of our lower jaw. The face appears narrow and long, and the chin looks small and set back. It gives the appearance of the front teeth protruding, when in fact it often is an illusion created by the lower jaw angled too far back. Headaches, clicking jaws, tooth grinding and breathing issues like snoring often arise from this unfortunate development.

 

How Is Overcrowding Treated?

Traditionally, overcrowding in the mouth has been treated by extracting multiple healthy teeth to make more room, especially for impacted teeth, and in extreme cases surgery is used. Pulling teeth out narrows our smile even further and can cause caved in chins and cheeks with age. It is also traumatic - would you not prevent your loved one from having tooth and bone extracted if you could avoid it? Traditional orthodontic techniques have made us come to accept that healthy teeth should be removed for cosmetic reasons – just think about that for a moment! Our teeth provide fundamental support to our jaw bone and soft tissues and the removal of teeth causes bone loss. However, advances in technology and techniques have now made it possible to gently stimulate and alter the shape and size of the jaw bones, to allow significant widening so teeth can erupt naturally. These new techniques make it possible to treat patients without the trauma of extracting healthy teeth, and restore the jaws and face to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

 

What Can I Do?

We frequently have parents contact our practice with concerns that their child’s teeth appear crowded or some adult teeth are not erupting. More often than not, these concerns are validated and Dr Stefan is delighted to provide a free consultation and advice service for all children. We can often correct adult crowding in a similar manner. If teeth have already been extracted, implants can often be placed once the widening process is complete. We are very excited to by embarking upon research in this field in conjuction with a renowned dental university in the UK - so watch this space and let us know if you would like your case to be taken up as documentary evidence of our ongoing success!