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11

Orthodontics at Total Care Kids

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Airway-Focused Orthodontics for Proper Growth, Function & Beautiful Smiles

Orthodontics at our office is about so much more than straight teeth. We focus on creating healthy faces, healthy airways, and healthy function — so your child grows into a confident smile that lasts for life.

While many orthodontic approaches concentrate only on tooth position, we look at:

  • Jaw development
  • Airway and breathing
  • TMJ health
  • Facial growth patterns
  • Muscle function and posture

Because form follows function — and beautiful smiles come from healthy foundations.

Why Our Orthodontic Approach is Different

We use orthodontics to improve:

  • Breathing & airway space
  • Jaw shape and size
  • Tongue posture & oral function
  • TMJ position & comfort
  • Facial balance and symmetry
  • Long-term bite stability

Straight teeth are the result — not the only goal.

Your child’s bite and airway affect their:

  • Sleep
  • Behavior & focus
  • Facial development
  • Speech
  • Confidence & oral health

We consider the whole child, not just the teeth.

Oral exam for sleep apnea

🌱 Expansion First — Not Extraction

Whenever possible, we use expansion-based treatment rather than removing permanent teeth.

Why?

Because crowding is often a space problem, not a tooth problem.

We create space by developing the jaws — not shrinking the smile.

This approach supports:

✅ Wider, more balanced arches
✅ Stronger facial profiles
✅ More airway volume
✅ Better nasal breathing
✅ More stable long-term results
✅ Less TMJ strain

When we expand instead of extract, teeth, airway, and facial structure all benefit.

😴 Airway & TMJ-Protective Orthodontics

Traditional orthodontics can sometimes accidentally narrow the airway or stress the TMJ.

Our protocols prioritize:

  • Protected airway development
  • Healthy tongue posture
  • Stable TMJ positions
  • Nasal breathing
  • Proper bite guidance and joint alignment

This means fewer long-term issues like:

 ❌ Sleep-disordered breathing
 ❌ TMJ pain
 ❌ Chronic headaches
 ❌ Relapse or unstable results

Orthodontics should improve health — not compromise it.

💪 Orthodontics & Myofunctional Therapy Together

We often combine orthodontics with:

  • Myobrace®
  • Myofunctional therapy
  • Tongue-tie evaluation when needed
  • Breathing habit support

Because muscles guide bones.
When we improve function, we improve stability and growth.

📅 When to Start

We believe in early-guided orthodontics when appropriate — but we personalize every plan.

We evaluate:

  • Facial growth
  • Airway development
  • Tongue posture
  • Bite and TMJ function
  • Tooth eruption patterns

Some children benefit from early guidance.
 Others are best treated as teens.

We do what is right for your child’s biology and development — never a one-size-fits-all plan.

🌟 A Smile That Works as Beautifully as It Looks

Our goal is simple:

Healthy airway. Healthy joints.
Beautiful smile. Lifelong function.

Orthodontics should support the way your child breathes, grows, sleeps, and thrives — not just move teeth.

✅ Ready to See the Difference?

If you’re interested in a healthier, airway-centered approach to orthodontics, we’d love to meet you.

👉 Schedule an orthodontic & airway evaluation

Let’s grow a smile — and a airway — that lasts a lifetime.

Next Chapter: What to Expect at Your Child’s First Holistic Dental Visit

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