Overview
Dentofacial orthopedics is the branch of dentistry, closely allied with orthodontics, that guides and corrects the growth and relationships of the jaws and facial skeleton, in addition to aligning the teeth, typically during a patient's growth period. It uses appliances such as rapid palatal expanders, functional appliances, and headgear to modify skeletal development, address discrepancies between the maxilla and mandible, and improve both function and facial esthetics. It matters because intercepting skeletal malocclusions during growth can reduce the need for later surgery and produce more stable, harmonious results. Common targets include skeletal Class II malocclusion, maxillary constriction with posterior crossbite, deep bite, increased overjet, and crowding, often managed with combined orthopedic and fixed-appliance therapy. Successful treatment depends on accurate diagnosis, timing relative to growth, and coordinated mechanics. Related open-access research available through this journal includes comprehensive case reports describing the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion and maxillary constriction with rapid palatal expansion followed by fixed appliances, documenting changes in dentofacial esthetics.