Orthocephalogy: what is it?
Orthocephalogy (myoskeletal-facial remodelling) is an area that deals with facial development, with skeletal and muscular awareness, so that the anatomy reaches its fullness, as well as the associated functions and their impact on body posture.
Why do so many children grow up with crooked or misaligned teeth? We now know that this is the most obvious sign of a deviation in the correct development of the face, which can jeopardise various functions such as: breathing; diction; chewing; swallowing; joint pain; impact on overall posture.
Consequently, many of the young patients who come to the Orthocephalology (myoskeletal-facial remodelling) and Functional Orthodontics consultations are referred by other professionals such as physiotherapists, ENT doctors, paediatric dentists, osteopaths, paediatricians or speech therapists.
Thus, in a treatment of orthocephalogy (myo-skeletal-facial remodelling) and functional orthodontics, which can be carried out on both children and adults, there is a 3D reprogramming of the faceThe orthopaedic approach to the jaw(s) will restore form and function, correcting any deformation that may exist.
With the MYFACE protocol, functional facial orthopaedic appliances are designed for each individual. Entirely individualised, these appliances work simultaneously on the skeletal and muscular parts of the face with the ultimate goal of protecting/restoring the airway.
Intervention should take place as early as possible, since craniofacial development also occurs earlier than height.
Stages
treatment plan
individualised appliances
If you have problems such as crooked teeth, teeth that don't fit together properly, an open or cross bite or anomalies in the position of the jaws, watch the videos by our specialist doctor, Dr Sílvia Martins Neves, and find out the real reasons behind these problems.
Before / After
Facial orthopaedics and functional orthodontics treatment
Treatment: 1st phase: functional facial orthopaedics and 2nd phase: functional orthondontics.
MEDIC/A: Dr Sílvia Martins Neves
Facial orthopaedics and functional orthodontics treatment
Description
MEDIC/A: Dr Sílvia Martins Neves
FAQS
Orthocephalogy (myoskeletal-facial remodelling) is a medical concept dedicated to studying alterations in facial growth and designing a treatment plan that functionally and structurally reorganises facial harmony.
It consists of a global, multidisciplinary approach aimed at the correct development and growth of bone, muscle and dental structures.
Because the face develops at more than 90% until pre-adolescence, it is imperative to start correcting growth problems as soon as the child allows, which is usually by the age of 4.
It is therefore urgent to warn of the consequences of late and exclusively dental treatment!
The teeth are always in balance between the tongue and the craniofacial muscles. The tongue, when on the palate, provides for the growth and development of the upper jaw forwards and sideways, as well as the tonicity of the facial muscles. Therefore, the development of the upper jaw provides for mandibular growth, but only if there is a nasal breathing pattern in conjunction with lip closure.
The open-mouth posture (due to the need for oral breathing) means that the tongue is no longer the natural moderator of the upper jaw. As a result, there is a kind of vertical growth and the jaw loses the feedback to grow in harmony with the maxilla. There is less space for the teeth, which become misaligned and, as the jaws become more recessed, they come into "conflict" with the airways, worsening the respiratory condition and creating a vicious circle.
- Breathing: Mouth breathing is the factor with the greatest influence on alterations in the growth and development of the face. The most common types of respiratory alterations are: deviation of the nasal septum, hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates, hypertrophy of the adenoids, repeated infections over a short period of time; allergic component (sinusitis, rhinitis).
- Brakes: Alterations in the position and structure of the labial and lingual brakes condition the function and development of the orofacial muscles, which consequently interfere with cranioencephalic growth and development.
- Harmful habits;
- Congenital deformities (plagiocephaly, etc.);
Tooth decay.
All children (with the exception of syndromes) have the genetic potential to have "perfect" facial growth and development. For this to happen, the tongue must be resting next to the palate, the lips pulled in (without forcing them), signs that there is nasal breathing.
If this is the case, "genetics will do the rest": there will be muscle balance and therefore teeth and bones will be perfectly matched in size.
The treatment aims to restore the balance of facial growth and development characteristic of each child, lost due to environmental factors.
When we have correct growth and development of the jaws, we naturally have aligned teeth.
Mouth breathing is the main cause of bone and muscle growth atrophy, altering their original functions and leading to their "wrong" adaptation.
The craniofacial complex is home to the most important human functions, such as breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech. If growth is "deviated", these functions will invariably be altered. This problem is already evident at the age of 3 or 4.
- You breathe more through your mouth than your nose;
- If you snore;
- You sleep with your mouth open;
- If your mouth is ajar at rest;
- You chew with your mouth open, making noises;
- If you have difficulty swallowing;
- If you have difficulty making certain speech sounds.
Therefore, in order to receive a reference value, please make this request or book an appointment with Dr Sílvia Martins Neves via our contact form. contact form.
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