Smile Transformations: Dentofacial Orthopedics

Correcting a severe Class II malocclusion—commonly known as a significant overbite—requires a sophisticated understanding of adolescent growth. For this 24-month transformation, I utilized a custom Herbst appliance to guide the lower jaw forward and achieve a balanced facial profile. This fixed solution works continuously without relying on the patient to remember elastics, making it an ideal choice for busy families. Because managing growth-related appliances requires meticulous clinical oversight, I personally handled every adjustment in our Miami office to ensure a precise, aesthetic result. If you notice your child has a recessed chin or protruding upper teeth, contact our office for ...

Correcting an underbite (Class III malocclusion) complicated by a jaw shift requires precise skeletal alignment. For this 24-month transformation, I utilized a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) to widen the narrow upper jaw, followed by traditional braces and elastics to eliminate the functional shift. This comprehensive approach established a stable, healthy bite and a balanced facial profile. Because correcting jaw shifts requires constant clinical monitoring, I personally managed every adjustment in our Miami office to ensure an optimal result. If you notice your child’s jaw shifting to one side or teeth not meeting correctly, contact our office for a clinical evaluation ...

Resolving severe crowding and a narrow palate in an adolescent requires strategic planning to avoid permanent tooth extractions. For this 24-month case, I utilized a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) to correct lateral crossbites and create the optimal arch width for a healthy, functional bite. Because achieving stability in complex expansion cases requires meticulous oversight, I personally managed every adjustment in our Kendall clinical suite to ensure a precise, aesthetic result. Now that the smile is straight, we are perfectly set to beautifully restore the chipped front tooth. If you are concerned about your child’s crowded teeth or narrow smile, contact ...

This 30-month case for a preteen addressed a lower jaw that sat too far back, protruding front teeth, a narrow upper jaw, and significant gaps. Treatment utilized a specialized appliance to comfortably guide the lower jaw forward into a healthy position during a key growth phase (ages 11 to 14). Following this, traditional braces were used to perfectly coordinate the upper and lower teeth, close all spacing, and create a balanced facial profile. If you notice your child has a receded lower jaw or severely protruding front teeth, we invite you to schedule a personal evaluation to discuss how specialized ...

This 30-month case for a preteen addressed a shifted bite and a narrow upper jaw. Initial treatment focused on widening the upper jaw using an expander to center the bite. Traditional braces were then used to align the teeth and close the significant gaps between them. To ensure the results remain stable, a minor gum procedure was performed after the spaces were closed to reduce the thick band of tissue between the front teeth. The final smile was secured with hidden permanent retainers behind the front teeth and removable retainers for long-term maintenance. If you notice your child has a ...

Before: This preteen patient in mixed dentition presented with an anterior crossbite, an orthodontic condition where the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper teeth, commonly referred to as an underbite.

After: Following a comprehensive Phase I early intervention, we utilized a bonded rapid palatal expander and partial upper and lower braces to successfully correct the crossbite. This targeted approach creates a healthy foundation for erupting permanent teeth and prepares the dental arches for potential Phase II treatment if necessary.

An anterior crossbite, or underbite, is more than a cosmetic issue; it can lead to abnormal tooth wear and unfavorable ...

Severe dental crowding and blocked-out canines were successfully corrected at our Kendall, Miami office using traditional metal braces. To create the necessary space for proper alignment and a stable bite, the treatment plan included the strategic extraction of four premolars. Over a 24-month period, we transitioned the teeth into their ideal positions, resolving the crowding and stabilizing the midline. At Martinez Orthodontics, complex cases involving extractions are personally managed by the specialist to ensure a balanced profile and functional health. Proper arch development during the teenage years is the foundation for a lifetime of oral health. If you are a parent ...

As a Kendall orthodontist, I utilized a Herbst appliance to address this patient’s severe protrusion and achieve a balanced, healthy profile. By focusing on skeletal alignment during the growth phase, we corrected the bite and significantly improved both function and facial aesthetics. This case demonstrates the precision and expertise available in our Kendall clinical suite. Contact us for a personal evaluation in our Kendall or Miami office to discuss your family’s orthodontic needs.

As a specialized orthodontist, utilizing traditional braces and Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE) for preteens allows us to efficiently correct severe skeletal and dental crowding. Over the course of this 30-month treatment, we addressed a notably narrow maxilla. By expanding the palate during this crucial growth phase, we established the necessary arch width to properly accommodate and align the erupting permanent teeth into a functional, healthy smile. Expanding a narrow palate during the preteen years is about more than just making room for teeth—it is about optimizing skeletal development and improving the airway while the jaw is still adaptable. This comprehensive ...

Before: This 13-year-old teenage patient presented with a recessed lower jaw, a narrow palate, and a severe overjet—meaning the upper front teeth protruded significantly. Additionally, the patient had an impinging deep bite where the lower teeth bit directly into the roof of the mouth, along with a fractured upper front tooth resulting from the extreme protrusion and trauma risk.

After: Following a 30-month comprehensive treatment plan, we utilized traditional metal braces combined with a custom Herbst and palatal expander to harness the patient's natural development. This targeted approach successfully guided the lower jaw forward and widened the palate to safely correct ...

Before: This teenage patient presented with a posterior open bite, a condition where the back teeth do not touch when biting down, along with a lingually ectopic lower canine, meaning it was erupting out of its normal alignment toward the tongue.

After: Following a 24-month comprehensive treatment plan utilizing traditional metal braces and targeted posterior box elastics, we successfully guided the canine into proper position and closed the posterior bite for a fully functional and healthy smile.

A posterior open bite or a misplaced tooth can lead to significant wear and functional issues if left unaddressed. This case demonstrates how a specialized, ...

As a specialized orthodontist, utilizing traditional braces for preteens allows us to efficiently correct severe dental discrepancies. Over the course of this 30-month treatment in our Kendall suite, we addressed significant dental spacing and protrusion. To beautifully close the gaps between the teeth, we used continuous orthodontic bands to gently draw them together. To correct the protrusion and properly align the bite, we incorporated specialized orthodontic rubber bands, guiding the upper teeth back into a functional, healthy position. Severe spacing and protrusion in a preteen are often more than an aesthetic concern; they can affect speech, lip closure, and the ...

Palatal expansion and traditional metal braces were used to correct a narrow palate, crossbite, and deep-bite. By addressing skeletal width first, we created the necessary space to resolve severe crowding and align the teeth into a functional, healthy smile over 24 months. A narrow palate and crossbite don’t always require a premature 'Phase I' intervention. This case demonstrates the success of a single, comprehensive phase of treatment (D8080) utilizing palatal expansion in the early teenage years. With 35 years of experience, we focus on evidence-based timing to achieve skeletal width and a functional bite during the teen growth spurt—avoiding unnecessary ...

This comprehensive teen case focused on correcting a combination of functional and aesthetic concerns. The primary clinical goals involved closing a significant front gap (midline diastema), correcting a deep bite where the top teeth overlapped the bottom too much, and aligning a midline deviation to ensure the teeth centered perfectly with the face. By managing the eruption path of the upper canines, we achieved a healthy, balanced, and stable smile. Our specialist-led approach at Martinez Orthodontics ensures that every teen in Miami and Kendall receives a customized treatment plan for long-term dental health. We invite parents to schedule a personal ...