Biobloc™ Orthotropics
A Clear Focus on Healthy Smile Development
Biobloc Orthotropics™ is an orthodontic approach that focuses on favorable facial growth to help develop a great smile and prevent many problems associated with unfavorable facial growth. Dr. Darin Ward is now providing Biobloc Orthotropic™ treatment for children ages 3 to 12 yrs, and is utilizing the diagnostic concepts of airway maximization and full facial development in his diagnosis and treatment-planning for Adults.
You can read more about the history and theoretical background of orthotropics; and find out about Dr. Ward’s mini-residency training in orthotropics.
Mainstream orthodontics teaches that all jaw growth is genetic and cannot be changed, and that there is no way other than surgery to change your profile until later in life, after facial development and growth is complete. Orthotropics has 50 years of evidence showing there is another way: by changing the oral rest posture, facial development and growth can be guided towards favorable jaw growth.
- favorable jaw growth = horizontal growth resulting in a balanced face and strong jawline.
- unfavorable jaw growth = vertical growth resulting in a long face and weak jawline
Orthotropics for Children ages 3 to 12:
Visit the NAAFO website to see great before & after photos showing the positive effects of Orthotropics.
It is recommended that children have an orthodontic check-up by the age of 6, or earlier if there are signs of:
- crowded primary (baby) teeth
- crossbite
- underbite
- premature loss of primary teeth
- and/or altered oral posture including mouth breathing, tongue posturing between teeth, and finger or lip habits (thumb-sucking, etc).
Early diagnosis will help identify problems with the growth of the jaws or crowding of the teeth can be addressed, often eliminating the need for complicated treatment, such as adult tooth removal or surgery, after the adolescent growth spurt. As well, some of the underlying causes of orthodontic problems, such as a dependency to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, thumb-sucking, and dental decay, can be recognized early to prevent problems from worsening. Biobloc Orthotropic™ treatment for children ages 3 to 12 yrs is uniquely suited to encourage favorable growth of the jaw and face, and can help reduce the need for surgery or more complicated treatments later in life.
Orthotropics for Adults
While Orthotropics is mainly focused on the growth of the jaw and the face in children, the Orthotropic concepts of airway maximization and full facial development provide unique benefits to adult patients, and can help address sleep apnea & sleep disorders, and provide esthetic benefits as well!
