A new idea in braces focuses on the whole person. This “whole-person” orthodontics cares about more than just straight teeth. It looks at how lifestyle, food, and environment shape our face and teeth as we grow. It sees crooked teeth as the body’s way to manage stress. The goal is to fix problems in breathing, sleep, and development. This makes the face balanced and healthy.

A key part uses expanders, braces, and muscle therapy. This gives a pretty smile and good breathing and facial balance. Genetics alone don’t make crooked teeth. Our DNA says teeth should be straight, jaw right, and airway clear. “Airway” orthodontics specifically helps the airway stay healthy. This prevents issues like sleep apnea in kids.

Whole-person orthodontics tackles many issues: crooked teeth, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, sore jaws, and more. Left untreated, these worsen – more crowded teeth, poor growth, gum disease, neck & face pain.

The treatment goes beyond looks. For kids, early braces help with bite and crowding. Repositioning the jaw, palate, and tongue corrects problems. Key is face grows right without losing any teeth. Airway experts address posture, breathing, eating, posture, airways, and sleep. The goal is a pretty smile but also a balanced face.

Adults can also be helped. New techniques make more jaw bone, fixing airway issues. This allows better facial shape and smile. Muscle therapy builds healthy habits for airway and teeth.

Breathing treatment matters because mouth breathing from daytime habits can cause poor sleep. This is sometimes misunderstood as ADHD. It really causes problems in behavior, mood, and learning.

In summary, whole-person orthodontics takes complete care of the mouth, face, and airway. The goal is dental health and overall well-being from childhood through adulthood.