Functional Jaw Orthopedics (FJO)

The jaws form the gateway to the human airway and influence a person’s life.

FJO is a progressive form of orthodontics and involves changing the relationships of teeth, bone, muscles and tissues of the upper and lower jaws, jaw joints and skull. FJO treatments utilize a broad range of appliances and techniques, including fixed and removable.

FJO treatments and traditional orthodontic treatment differ, for example, on how to handle early tooth crowding problems. Traditional treatments often involve prescribing a repeat process of serial tooth extraction. This process can result in loss of tooth space and airway space as dental arches collapse. FJO techniques actively guide dental arch development in order to make room for erupting teeth. FJO-guided arch development can also enhance jaw growth.

FJO treatments have also shown to help:

Some people with headaches and migraines (“Dental appliances have been found to reduce the number of migraine attacks by about 60%, especially in those who get frequent attacks” – British Dental Journal, 1996). Bite and jaw imbalances can often cause headaches. Sometimes simple tooth adjustments can balance a bite and bring relief.

Some problems with heart disease (“Dental disease persists as a major risk factor for heart disease even after adjusting for many lifestyle factors in the 13 known major risk factors” – Special Care in Dentistry, 1998).

Some children with bed-wetting (nocturnal enuresis) problems, as a lack of oxygen due to upper airway obstruction can cause bed-wetting (“10 out of 10 chronic bed-wetters stopped after just a few months of starting rapid palatal expansion” – Angle Orthodontist 1990)

(Details from “Your Jaws Your Life” by David C Page, DDS) See Testimonials

(Document updated on 18th June 2008)

[ Top ]