You already know what it means to be an orthodontist, but what about specializing in dentofacial orthopedics? Specializing in dentofacial orthopedics is a special distinction earned by orthodontists who have received their orthodontic specialization in dental school, and have completed a two to three year orthodontic residency program.
Dentofacial orthopedics is the process of normalizing the growth of a patient’s bone structure and repairing any imbalances of the face and jaws. This process often involves a two-phase treatment and often begins when the patient is around 7 or 8 years old.