Orthotropics for Proper Facial Development: Before and After

If you practice mewing but aren’t familiar with orthotropics, it’s time to fix it. Since these two are very interconnected. Let’s dive into orthotropics to figure out its best features and compare the before & after pics.
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Orthotropics for Proper Facial Development: Before and After
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What Is Orthotropics?

Orthotropics is an approach to orthodontic treatment. It focuses on guiding facial growth and development to achieve proper facial balance and function. It aims to correct underlying skeletal and dental issues. The main goal of orthotropics is to achieve facial harmony and improve health. Thus, orthotropics promotes proper oral posture and encourages the forward growth of the jaws.

The foundation of orthotropics consists of proper tongue position, breathing, and swallowing patterns. As they play a crucial role in the development of the face and dental arches. The technique emphasizes correcting oral habits and optimizing oral posture to guide the growth of the jaws. Also, allows for improved facial aesthetics and optimal functioning of the airway.

The concept of orthotropics was developed by Dr. John Mew and his son Dr. Mike Mew. Dr. John Mew is considered the primary founder of orthotropics. He has been rooting for facial and dental development for many years. Dr. Mike Mew has also contributed to the field and has continued his father's work.

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Benefits of Orthotropics

Orthotropic treatment has shown many benefits when applied, including:

  1. Facial harmony. Orthotropics aims to enhance the natural beauty of the face by guiding the forward growth of the jaws. As a result, people get more balanced facial aesthetics.
  2. Corrected dental alignment. By encouraging proper jaw development, orthotropics can help align the teeth naturally. Thus, reducing the need for extractions or orthodontic interventions.
  3. Improved breathing and airway function. Orthotropics can address issues related to mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep apnea. As nasal breathing and proper tongue posture help open up the airway and improve breathing patterns.
  4. Better oral health. By aligning the teeth and jaws properly, orthotropics can reduce the risk of dental decay and gum disease. Thus, enhancing general oral health.
Proper tongue posture with orthotropics 

Drawbacks of Orthotropics

Although orthotropic treatment has shown great results, there are cases when it doesn’t work as it should. Mostly in cases of severe malocclusion, orthodontic treatment comes first. 

Let’s observe the drawbacks of orthotropics one may face:

  1. Limited availability. Orthotropics requires trained professionals, and its availability may be limited in some areas. Few dentists can tell the real advantages of orthotropic methods. Although, you can always turn to Dr. Mew’s website for more information and try mewing.
  2. Time and commitment. The treatment process with orthotropics can be lengthy, often up to several years. Consistency with exercises and maintaining proper tongue posture are essential for optimal results.
  3. Age limitations. The perfect age to begin orthotropics is during childhood when the jaws are still growing. The effectiveness of orthotropic treatment in adults is lower. As the potential for significant skeletal changes decreases with age.

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What Are the Main Orthotropic Methods?

Orthotropic treatment involves a combination of various tools and methods. 

While they may vary depending on the practitioner, here are some common elements:

  • Oral appliances. Orthotropics involve the use of specific oral appliances. They encourage proper tongue posture, correct swallowing patterns, and optimal growth of the jaws. For example, tongue cribs, myobraces, and functional appliances.
  • Myofunctional therapy. This involves exercises and techniques aimed at improving tongue posture, such as mewing. Also, includes swallowing patterns, and oral muscle function. Myofunctional therapy helps in developing proper oral habits and achieving proper tongue posture.
  • Facial exercises. Certain facial exercises may be recommended as part of orthotropic treatment. These exercises target the facial muscles. They aim to improve muscle tone, promote facial symmetry, and support proper facial growth.
  • Postural correction. Orthotropics emphasizes the importance of maintaining correct head and neck posture. Since it can influence facial development. Practitioners guide on posture correction exercises and habits to optimize craniofacial growth.
  • Orthodontic techniques. While orthotropics takes a different approach, certain orthodontic techniques still appear in orthotropics. These include braces, aligners, or other orthodontic appliances. Yet with a focus on guiding growth rather than solely aligning teeth. 

Forward facial growth with orthotropics 

Orthotropic treatment must be initiated by an orthodontist experienced in orthotropics. They will determine the most appropriate tools and methods based on the condition and treatment goals.

Yet, such orthotropic techniques as mewing or myofunctional therapy can become your usual routine. It’s key to understand how to mew properly, and it will also contribute to your facial aesthetics.

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Does Orthotropics Work for Adults?

Orthotropics is primarily focused on guiding facial growth and development in children. As their jaws are still malleable. Orthotropics are applied to adults and show great results with time. Yet the potential for significant skeletal changes is lower.

However, orthotropics can still be beneficial for adults in certain cases, such as:

  • Preparatory treatment. Adults considering orthognathic surgery or other orthodontic interventions may try the orthotropic treatment. It can optimize their facial and dental alignment before the surgical procedure.
  • Preventing relapse after orthodontic treatment. Orthotropics aims to guide and influence facial growth naturally, targeting the causes of malocclusion or misaligned teeth, rather than just addressing the symptoms. By doing so, it can potentially help to prevent relapse after orthodontic treatment.
  • Airway improvement. Adults with breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea or snoring, benefit from orthotropics. Especially the techniques that aim to improve the airway and breathing patterns.
  • Orthodontic alignment. In some cases, orthotropics can be used in combination with orthodontic treatment. To optimize dental alignment and improve facial aesthetics.
Results of Orthotropic techniques like mewing in adults (By Reddit user r/orthotropics) 

Orthotropics Before and After

As we’re all cleared up about the orthotropic principles, let’s get to the visual evidence. Orthotropic specialists share results on the before and after pictures.

Orthotropics before and after

Orthotropics before and after

Orhotropics before and after
Orthotropics before and after

Orthotropics before and after

Orhotropics before and after
Orthotropics before and after

Resources:

  1. https://orthodontichealth.co.uk/what-is-orthotropics/
  2. https://www.mewing.app/blog/forward-facial-growth
  3. https://functionalsmiles.com/services/orthotropics/#:~:text=Simply%20stated%2C%20Orthotropics%C2%AE%20places,and%20an%20adequate%20airway%20space
  4. https://www.mewing.app/blog/dr-mike-mew-john-mew
  5. https://www.ericdavisdental.com/facial-orthotropics-for-your-child/orthotropics/
  6. https://www.mewing.app/blog/how-to-fix-mouth-breather-face
  7. https://johnmeworthotropics.co.uk/pros-and-cons-orthotropics-orthodontics/
  8. https://www.lsfo.co.uk/about/what-is-orthotropics/
  9. https://www.mewing.app/blog/proper-mewing-tongue-posture
  10. https://www.mewing.app/blog/mewing-guide
  11. https://www.breathoflifedental.com/orthotropics-for-adults

The information provided in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional guidance. Mewing and other techniques mentioned on this website may not be suitable for everyone, and individual results may vary. We strongly recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional, such as an orthodontist, dentist, or myofunctional therapist, before starting any new oral or facial exercises, particularly if you have existing dental, orthodontic, or health concerns.
Written by
Victoria Punda
June 27, 2023