At McNeal Orthodontics, we take a more advanced approach to orthodontic care by focusing not just on straight teeth, but on how your jaws, facial structure, and smile work together. This allows us to create results that are more balanced, more stable, and more natural-looking.
Dr. McNeal is both an orthodontist and a trained dentofacial orthopedist, a distinction that sets her apart from many other providers. Rather than simply aligning teeth, she evaluates and treats the underlying structure of the smile, helping ensure that results look right, function properly, and last long-term. Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, every treatment plan is designed with this comprehensive approach in mind.
If you’re looking for a more complete, long-term solution for your smile, schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Dentofacial orthopedics is a specialized area of orthodontics that focuses on how the jaw and facial structures develop and align over time. While traditional orthodontics primarily focuses on straightening teeth, dentofacial orthopedics looks at the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and overall facial structure.
This approach is especially important during growth, when the jaw can be guided into a healthier position. However, its principles also apply to teens and adults, helping ensure that tooth movement supports proper function, facial balance, and long-term stability.
Treatment may involve appliances designed to guide jaw positioning during key stages of development, or it may simply influence how orthodontic treatment is planned and executed.
By addressing the underlying structure of the smile, dentofacial orthopedics creates results that go beyond straight teeth for patients of all ages. This approach helps improve function, facial balance, and long-term stability, often reducing the need for more complex treatment later.
By guiding jaw growth early, dentofacial orthopedics helps create better alignment between the upper and lower jaws. This improves how the teeth come together and supports long-term function as your child grows.
Dentofacial orthopedic treatment considers how the teeth, jaws, and facial structure work together. This helps create a fuller, more balanced smile that complements your natural features, rather than simply aligning the teeth.
Addressing growth concerns early can help minimize the need for more extensive orthodontic procedures in the future. Early guidance can simplify later treatment and improve overall outcomes.
Jaw alignment plays a role in breathing, chewing, and speaking. Dentofacial orthopedic treatment helps support proper function, contributing to overall oral and facial health.
Dr. McNeal’s medical training as a dentofacial orthopedist allows her to evaluate the entire facial structure rather than just the teeth. This leads to more complete, thoughtful treatment planning for every patient.
Dentofacial orthopedics plays a role in nearly every orthodontic treatment plan. While it is most commonly associated with children and growth guidance, the principles apply to patients of all ages.
Children and pre-teens often benefit from early intervention, when jaw growth can be guided more directly. This can help address developing concerns before they become more complex.
Teens and adults also benefit from this approach, as it ensures that tooth movement is planned with overall facial structure, function, and long-term stability in mind.
At McNeal Orthodontics, this isn’t a separate service you “qualify” for. It’s part of how every patient is evaluated and treated, with the goal of creating results that look natural, function properly, and last.
At McNeal Orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics plays a key role in how every treatment plan is designed. We begin by evaluating the underlying bone structure and facial balance first, then plan tooth movement within that foundation.
Rather than treating teeth in isolation, every decision is made with the full picture in mind, including how your smile fits your overall facial structure.
We use the following treatments and technologies as part of this holistic approach:
The Damon Ultima System is designed to work with your child’s natural bone and facial structure, not against it. These advanced braces support healthy bone remodeling while guiding teeth into place, helping create balanced, natural-looking smiles with a focus on long-term function and stability.
Spark Aligners are carefully planned to move teeth in harmony with the jaw and facial structure. Built on the same principles as our bracket system, they allow for precise, controlled movements that support bone health while creating a smile that fits naturally within the face.
CBCT imaging gives us a detailed 3D view of the teeth, roots, and jaw structure. This allows us to plan treatment with a full understanding of the underlying bone, ensuring tooth movement is safe, precise, and supportive of overall facial balance.
With advanced 3D scans, we can map out your teeth and jaw with incredible accuracy. This technology helps us design treatment that works with their natural growth and bone structure, leading to more efficient care and results that look and feel balanced.
Remote Dental Monitoring allows us to track progress closely between visits using simple at-home scans. This consistent oversight ensures tooth movement is staying on track with bone development, allowing us to make timely adjustments that support healthy, well-balanced results.
Dr. McNeal’s expertise goes beyond traditional orthodontics. As both an orthodontist and a trained dentofacial orthopedist, she brings a deeper level of knowledge in how the teeth, jaws, and facial structures develop together. This advanced training allows her to identify and guide growth patterns that many general dentists, and even some orthodontists, may overlook or not address directly.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. McNeal combines clinical precision with a comprehensive, whole-face approach to care. This means your care is always personalized and designed for results that truly last.
Patients trust McNeal Orthodontics for advanced care that goes beyond the basics to deliver results that support both health and confidence.
A balanced, confident smile starts with the right foundation. With a personalized approach and advanced training in dentofacial orthopedics, Dr. McNeal focuses on results that support both function and confidence for years to come.
Let’s create that foundation together. Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
Orthodontics focuses on moving teeth into proper alignment, while dentofacial orthopedics guides the growth and development of the jaw and facial structures. Both work together to create a healthy, functional smile.
Treatment is most effective during growth, usually between ages 7 and 12. Early evaluation allows Dr. McNeal to determine the best timing for treatment.
While growth modification is most effective in children, some aspects of treatment may still benefit teens and adults depending on their needs and goals.
Treatment length varies depending on the individual case and growth stage. Some treatments may last several months to over a year, followed by monitoring or additional orthodontic care if needed.
