Presenter: Jim Bieneman, DDS

Format: MP4 Video file download
Includes: Audio & Slides

Families are frequently told that their child’s face was genetically programed to grow the way that it did.? This is a myth. Mouth breathing, tongue ties, poor quality diets and so many other factors influence how a child’s face grows and develops. When children have proper oral habits and a healthy lifestyle in which to develop, they can achieve the proper facial growth that they need.

Throughout this presentation, we will explore how the child’s face is supposed to develop and many of the factors that can lead to unfavorable growth such as tongue ties, mouth breathing and poor oral rest posture. The role of the tongue in the development of the face will be explored with an explanation for how myofunctional therapy can correct poor oral rest posture.

When unfavorable growth is identified in children it must be corrected for the long-term health of their airway, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), as well as to preserve all permanent teeth. There are several orthodontic techniques that can be employed to correct undesirable growth that is happening; however, there are just as many orthodontic techniques that are either ineffective or have the potential to cause harm. Done improperly, orthodontics can lead to an increase in long term health problems such as obstructive sleep apnea and temporomandibular disorder. Join us, as we explore how to ensure proper development for our children and how to avoid the pitfalls that can negatively influence growth and long-term health.