In Grand Rapids, Michigan, dental implants are becoming the gold standard for the replacement of missing teeth. For the best results, orthodontics must often be performed prior to implant placement to ensure proper spacing and orientation of the neighboring teeth. Fortunately, as a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Dr. Swan is experienced in the planning and preparation of dental implant sites. This practice ensures that your dental implants will have a natural-looking appearance. Moreover, such expertise translates into problem-free implant procedures..and consequently satisfied customers.

While most people have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the "dentofacial orthopedics" part of the title. Every orthodontist starts out in dental school. Upon completion of dental school, some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists. Others choose to pursue a dental specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two- to three-year residency program. There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association. Some you are likely familiar with are Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children), Periodontics (dentistry focusing on the gums), and Oral Surgery.

One of the nine specialties is "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." You probably know that an orthodontist straightens teeth, and indeed: "ortho" comes from the Greek for "straight" or "correct," and "dontic" from the Greek for "teeth." But what about dentofacial orthopedics? "Dentofacial" is "teeth" plus "face" while "ortho" again means "straight" and "pedic" is from the Greek for "child."

Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. In both cases, appliances are frequently used - the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics!

Because Dr. Swan is skilled in both areas, she is able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments. And thats why, for those seeking an alternative to dentures in Grand Rapids, dental implants placed by Dr. Swan appear strikingly natural!

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