Functional Orthodontics

We specialise in the non-surgical treatment of complex dental and jaw anomalies for adults, adolescents, and children.

Exclusively embracing the functional principles pioneered by renowned Japanese Professor Sadao Sato, we offer patients aesthetic dental alignments while comprehensively addressing the root cause of their skeletal and dental-alveolar disorders.

A majority of our patients seek functional orthodontic care after experiencing unsuccessful previous treatments or surgeries, or as a result of persistent pain and discomfort. Their symptoms may include inadequate, unstable, or missing dental contacts, jaw clicking or locking, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis, facial pain, etc.

Dentofacial anomalies are frequently associated with an overload of one or both TMJs, leading to a wide spectrum of functional impairments and symptoms detailed under TMJ disorders. Our functional approach is specifically designed to address and prevent the degenerative processes affecting the TMJs, an aspect often overlooked in conventional orthodontics.

Benefits of functional orthodontics

Medical Approach

No premolar extractions
No orthognathic surgeries
No corticotomy or stripping (bone and teeth cutting)
No extra-oral devices

Aesthetic & Function

Aesthetic and functional dental alignment
Correction of asymmetries
Face muscles’ tonus and harmonisation (without injections)
TMJ health
Safe mastication and safe bruxism
Lasting resolution of occlusal traumas and disbalances

General Health

Positive impact on posture and vestibular balance
Improved breathing, speech, and sleep
Improved stress management and hormones regulation
Mental clarity and self-confidence

Dental malocclusions treated

Deep bite

Open bite

Class II

Class III

Class III + crossbite

Mandibular lateral displacement (MLD)

MLD + anterior crossbite

MLD + posterior crossbitE

Crossbite and crowding

Scissors bite

Skeletal malocclusions treated

Class II

Class III

Asymmetry + MLD

Examples of clinical cases treated may be reviewed here.

For Adults and Adolescents

As functional and aesthetics specialists, we address all classes of dental misalignments and occlusal dysfunctions for patients of all ages. Using precise and entirely tailored approaches, we offer our patients an ideal occlusion with a naturally harmonious smile.

Functional Diagnostic

-Photoprotocol, muscle palpation and anamnesis, occlusograms, brux-checkers, condylography, mounted casts with a kinematic face-bow, lateral / panoramic / frontal x-ray (cephalometric analysis), scans, CBCT and MRI (if required).

Treatment

The treatment may be conducted using either brackets with hand-made bespoke wires, or aligners, or a combination of both braces and aligners. A complete treatment would include two to three condylographies, cephalometric analyses, scans and casts analyses:

Pre-treatment, for the diagnostic and individual treatment planning.
Mid-treatment, to ensure that everything is moving according to plan.
Post-treatment, to confirm the achievement of the desired results and guarantee long-term stability.

Some of the treatments can require laboratory-made temporary restorations to assist in guiding the orthodontic corrections during the therapy, thereby accelerating the treatment process thanks to a gain in the activations’ precision. All of our orthodontic treatments, regardless of the severity and complexity of the patient’s malocclusion, can be completed in less than two years.

Techniques

When working with aligners, we offer patients the comfort of transparent orthodontics combined with the functional, individualised care that defines our treatments. All functional principles are fully respected, with a particular attention to TMJ health. Unlike conventional aligner treatments, which tend to be limited to dental misalignments alone, our approach targets both skeletal and dental distortions.

When working with brackets, we create entirely hand-made wires using the Multi-loop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) technique, allowing us to realign teeth in ways rarely achievable otherwise. Although both the preparation and activation of MEAW appliances are inherently demanding and complex, this technique provides significantly greater flexibility and control, notably in the treatment of severe malocclusion cases.

Multi-loop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW)

Aligners

For Children

For children aged 5 to 10 years, we aim to establish a harmonious occlusion and therefore normalise the function of the tongue, lips, and cheeks, while guiding and correcting the growth of the upper and lower jaws. Compared with conventional paediatric orthodontics, our functional treatments using cemented overlays offer considerable advantages:

No removable appliances
No aesthetic discomfort
No speech impairment
No dependence on the child’s cooperation for the treatment outcome

We generally recommend the following three steps:

1. A functional diagnostic with brux-checkers, mounted casts with an anatomical face-bow, lateral / panoramic / frontal x-rays (cephalometric analysis).

2. The fixing on milk teeth of temporary, custom-made overlays (4 - 8 pieces) prepared in a therapeutic position to reach the objectives established:

Centering and stabilisation of the lower jaw in case of asymmetrical development
Forward advancement of the lower jaw in case of insufficient development
Growth control of the lower and upper jaws in case of excessive forward advancement of the lower jaw
Verticalisation in deep bites

3. Regular controls until the child’s full dentition development.

Wax-up project of the future overlays incorporating a specialised mechanism that positions the lower jaw in a fundamentally better physiological position. This approach unloads the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and promotes a healthy growth of the jaws, as well as the facial and cranial bones.

Wax-up project of the future overlays incorporating a specialised mechanism that positions the lower jaw in a fundamentally better physiological position. This approach unloads the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and promotes a healthy growth of the jaws, as well as the facial and cranial bones.

3D printed overlays ready for the cementation

3D printed overlays ready for the cementation