Adventure Difference

Why AO? The Adventure Difference

From your very first visit, experience the difference with Adventure Orthodontics.

We’ve come to appreciate that a smile is so much more than straight teeth! One of the hardest things in choosing an orthodontist is finding one that has a treatment philosophy or pattern of beliefs that a patient/parent feels best serves their unique situation. These core beliefs guide an orthodontist in their treatment decisions.

At Adventure Orthodontics we believe that orthodontic care needs to accomplish three things. First, it must enhance the confidence our patient has with their smile. Second, treatment should improve a patient’s oral function and bite. Third, our treatment decisions must not negatively impact a patient’s overall health. In fact, our treatment should improve the patient’s overall health and continue to do so, even many years later.

With regard to orthodontic treatment, our core philosophy can be summed up as “Airway First, Face-Focused.” In Airway-Focused treatment, we believe that a person’s ability to breathe comfortably should be considered first. Research is showing that orthodontic treatment can significantly impact the architecture of a patient’s airway. At Adventure Orthodontics we feel treatment should improve our patient’s ability to breathe. We are learning more and more about the detrimental effects of Sleep Apnea in adults AND children. Furthermore, research is showing that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) are becoming more common in pediatric-age patients. We also know that tongue position and jaw position play a major role in the obstruction of sleep apnea patients. Therefore, if we can improve our patient’s ability to breathe, even later in life, you better believe we are going to do it!!

In Face-Focused treatment, orthodontic techniques can be used to improve jaw position and support of the hard and soft tissues of the face. For example, in many orthodontic practices across the nation permanent tooth extractions during treatment is commonplace. However, we strongly feel this technique is over-used. Yes, it has its place, but we believe that creating more space for adult teeth is a better alternative. Why? When permanent teeth are extracted, support of the upper lip is lessened. It may not be readily obvious in a young patient, but years later (when the collagen is gone from youthful lips) those lips will be flatter without proper dental support. We haven’t heard of many people wanting flatter lips as they age. Also, when permanent teeth are removed, the orthodontist must then close the extraction space with braces. When these spaces are closed, the dental arches become more constricted. By constricting the dental arches, the tongue is robbed of its needed space! We know that the tongue can be a significant obstacle with regard to sleep apnea.

These core beliefs and our treatment philosophy force us to be better, more thorough providers for our patients, something we find incredibly rewarding. We want our patients’ smiles to be benefiting their lives long after we are gone. Thus, the “ever-benefiting” smile.

– Dr. Matt McCoy & Dr. Layne McCord 

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