A radiant smile and a harmonious facial shape are important concerns for many people. However, the natural development of the jaw has not always been optimal and malformations and deformations of the jaw can lead to impairments. Maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic procedures are heavily advertised and highly paid for today, but are they always necessary? What are the risks of such interventions? And isn’t there a holistic therapy that can support or avoid surgery? In this article, we take a look at the synergies of combining FaceFormer training therapy and orthodontic treatment. Discover how these two approaches work together to not only prevent jaw deformities, but also achieve long-term and sustainable results. Learn how individualised treatment planning and close collaboration between professionals can pave the way to a bright smile and healthy jaw structure.
They promise to correct jaw and tooth misalignments and create an optimal fit. But not all of these procedures are really necessary. Some are performed for purely cosmetic reasons, to change the shape of the face or to correct certain shapes that people are not happy with. The risky path of surgically cutting through healthy structures and reshaping them is often chosen. It must be critically questioned whether such interventions are really necessary and whether the associated risks are justified.
Every operation, especially on a site as sensitive as the jaw, carries risks. Unfortunately, these risks are sometimes played down and the procedures are presented as routine operations. However, it should be emphasised that there is no operation without risk. Jaw surgery can lead to complications such as infections, bleeding, nerve damage or disturbances in jaw function. Therefore, such an operation should always be carefully considered. One must be aware that even after surgery, the desired result is not always achieved.
In the first years of a child’s life, many factors play a decisive role in the development of facial shape and jaw structure. The time of breastfeeding is of particular importance. When sucking on the mother’s breast, the child not only develops the ability to take in food, but there is also intensive training of the muscles in the mouth and throat area. This training is of great importance for the later development of jaw functions, speaking, eating, drinking and swallowing.
Let’s look at the underlying causes of jaw malformations and deformations to understand the necessity and usefulness of jaw surgery. Often these problems do not arise from birth, but develop over time due to incorrect functions and movement patterns in the mouth and throat. Especially in early childhood, habits such as thumb sucking or the use of dummies can cause the muscles and jaw structure to develop incorrectly. The type of nutrition, especially breastfeeding, also plays a decisive role in the development of the mouth and throat muscles.
Early childhood habits such as thumb sucking or frequent use of soothers can lead to deviant movement patterns and maldevelopment of the jaw structure. In contrast to bottle feeding, regular breastfeeding promotes healthy jaw growth.
Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more common today for children to give up breastfeeding at an early age and to be bottle-fed instead. The use of dummies and soothers is also widespread. However, these habits can lead to the mouth muscles not being developed optimally and to incorrect movement patterns developing. If a soother or dummy is constantly in the mouth, the natural development of the musculature is hindered, as the disturbing objects in the oral cavity lead to unnatural movements.
A decisive aspect for the development of a healthy jaw structure is the formation of negative pressure in the oral cavity. This negative pressure is responsible for the palate forming laterally, i.e. transversely, and creating sufficient space for the teeth. In order for the negative pressure to develop, it is essential that the child breathes through the nose with the mouth closed. Without a closed mouth, there is no negative pressure! This means that nasal breathing should be particularly encouraged in early childhood. At the same time, influences that lead to mouth breathing should be avoided.
Mouth breathing – The sleeping habit is risky for the child’s jaw development
The malformations caused by unfavourable habits and incorrect functions can have long-term effects on the shape of the face. A narrow palate caused by not breastfeeding or constant soother use can lead to a lack of space for the teeth. In such cases, teeth are often extracted even before orthodontic treatment to create space.
It makes sense to look at jaw malformations and deformations holistically and not just focus on the outer shape. Often it is functional problems that lead to the external changes. Therefore, one should start early and try to correct the underlying causes before deciding on an expensive operation. This is where FaceFormer training therapy comes in, which aims to improve the musculature, movement patterns and functions in the mouth and throat area.
To prevent long-term changes and jaw malformations, it makes sense to start functional treatment at an early stage. FaceFormer training therapy offers an effective way to strengthen the muscles of the mouth and throat and improve their function. By applying this holistic therapy at an early stage, possible jaw malpositions and deformations can be corrected or even prevented in time.
In the following section, we will go into more detail about how FaceFormer therapy can be used as a preventive measure and as a correction option before and after jaw surgery.
FaceFormer training therapy is based, among other aspects, on the knowledge that musculature, movement patterns and functions in the mouth and throat are closely linked to jaw development. By working specifically on strengthening the musculature and improving movement patterns, healthy structures and shapes can be promoted and long-term changes prevented. FaceFormer therapy can be used both preventively and corrective. It aims to strengthen the muscles of the mouth, throat and face, develop correct movement patterns and thus improve functions to promote long-term healthy development of the jaw structure and face.
Prevention plays a crucial role in avoiding jaw malformations and deformations. By applying FaceFormer training therapy at an early age, possible causes and functional problems can be corrected before they lead to long-term changes. The targeted training supports healthy jaw development and later operations can be avoided already at an early stage.
An essential part of FaceFormer training therapy is to help the patient to practice correct functions and postures in the mouth and throat. By teaching children to swallow, breathe and position the tongue correctly at an early age, healthy development of the jaw and face shape can be encouraged and possible causes of jaw malocclusion can be prevented at an early stage. If jaw malformations or deformations have already developed, FaceFormer training therapy can be an effective solution. The targeted practice of natural movement patterns helps to correct existing problems. This can also be done before or after jaw surgery to achieve optimal results, minimise possible complications and prevent recurrences.
FaceFormer training therapy can be a useful complement to orthodontic treatment. By improving movement patterns, musculature and functions in the area of the face, mouth and throat in good time, the success of orthodontic treatment can be optimised and relapses prevented. Before or after orthodontic treatment, it is therefore advisable to carry out a functional treatment with FaceFormer therapy in order to create the best possible conditions for a permanently successful correction and to reduce the risk of recurrences.
Before starting orthodontic treatment, it can be useful to carry out a functional treatment with FaceFormer therapy. The targeted exercises and training of this therapy improve functions and postures such as breathing, swallowing and tongue position. By practising correct movement patterns, possible causes for jaw and tooth misalignments are avoided.
Orthodontic treatment focuses on the targeted correction of misaligned jaws and teeth. Here, orthodontic appliances, such as brackets and braces, are used to bring the teeth and jaws into the correct position. Functional treatment with FaceFormer therapy lays a solid foundation for orthodontic treatment, as the musculature and functions are already optimally prepared.
Every patient is unique, so it is important to create individual treatment plans that are tailored to the needs and conditions of the individual. FaceFormer therapy and orthodontic treatment can be flexibly combined to achieve the best possible treatment. Close cooperation between professionals such as therapists and orthodontists is crucial to ensure continued therapeutic success.
While there is never a guarantee of success with surgery, it is always associated with the risk of undesirable side effects and after-effects. FaceFormer therapy and orthodontic treatment form a promising team for the prevention and correction of jaw malformations. FaceFormer therapy lays the foundation by strengthening the musculature and promoting correct functions through the practice of natural movement patterns and postures. The synergistic effects from the combination of both therapy approaches lead to long-term and sustainable results.
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