Functional Orthodontics

Orthodontic Treatment which focuses on the Airway, the TMJ, the Smile, and the Face.

Functional Orthodontics (braces) refers to a type of orthodontic treatment that deals with more than just straightening the teeth and correcting the bite. Functional Orthodontics refers to the function and correction of the cause of the malocclusion. This can mean preventive treatment such as making room or spaces for the teeth to erupt into the correct alignment and bite. Functional orthodontics can guide the teeth into proper alignment, all before placing any brackets on the teeth. Many times, crooked teeth or bite misalignment can be prevented if the patient is treated at an early age. Here at Manoa Dental, our unique method of orthodontics involves aligning the TMJ in the correct position, the airway in an open position, the face in a more harmonious position, and then moving the teeth to this healthy position to create a beautiful smile and face.  


Conventional Orthodontic (Braces) vs.  Airway, TMJ and Facial Beauty Focused Orthodontic 

Most orthodontic treatment methods only involve aligning the teeth but fail to address the root cause of the underlying problem (malocclusion). The teeth are straightened or the "bite corrected" without considering its effect on the TMJ, the airway, the smile, or the facial profile. With many conventional orthodontic treatments, teeth are sometimes even extracted to make room to align the teeth. We believe this is detrimental to your health since it will shrink the top and bottom jaw, and the tongue will not have room to function as well as positioning it further back. This can result in a strong gag reflex in certain individuals, since the tongue is in a position further in the back of the mouth due to  the lack of space. 

At Manoa Dental, we focus on the long-term health of the dentofacial complex by ensuring proper alignment of the jaw first, before moving the teeth to its proper position.  Dr. Keri Do recognizes that the teeth are only a by-product of what's going in the dentofacial complex. She strives to find the root cause of the malocclusion resulting in proper jaw and teeth alignment, healthy TMJ, healthy airway, and an attractive face.  In addition, Dr. Do, with her background in cosmetic dentistry, is able to provide a beautiful smile and not just straight teeth. Dr. Do is your expert in the areas of orthodontics which focuses on health, beauty, and long term stability. Please view our website and let us know how we can help you.

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