A smiling young woman and a young boy sit at a table in front of a fireplace with a stone wall and a TV above it, in a modern living room with large windows and contemporary furniture.

About Pure Facial Development

A Natural Approach to Healthier Facial Growth in Central Iowa

At Pure Facial Development, we believe that every child deserves the chance to grow into a healthy, confident version of themselves without surgery or unnecessary extractions. Led by Dr. Erika Peddicord, a compassionate dentist and mother who successfully treated her own son with orthotropics, our clinic helps children thrive through natural facial growth guidance and airway-centered care.

We are not just improving smiles. We are improving quality of life.

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Meet Dr. Erika Peddicord

Iowa’s Leader in Orthotropic Dentistry

Dr. Erika Peddicord is a respected general dentist based in Ankeny, Iowa. She discovered orthotropics when searching for answers to help her own child and has since dedicated herself to mastering this unique approach. Today, she is Central Iowa’s most experienced provider of orthotropic therapy and airway-focused orthodontics.

As a member of the North American Association of Facial Orthotropics (NAAFO), Dr. Peddicord actively pursues advanced training in facial growth, breathing development, and oral posture. She combines clinical excellence with heartfelt care, guiding families through complex challenges with empathy and clarity.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science/Integrated Physiology
    University of Iowa

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery
    University of Iowa

  • Certificates and Continuing Education

  • Mini-Residency - Pediatric Dental Sleep Medicine
    Tufts University

  • Mini-Residency
    Orthotropic Academy

You can learn more about her dental background at Peddicord Family Dentistry.

A woman lying on a dental chair in a dental office, talking to a dental professional standing beside her.

What Sets Us Apart

Traditional orthodontics moves teeth into alignment. Orthotropics works differently by guiding how the face and jaws grow.

At our Ankeny clinic, we use non-invasive techniques and custom appliances to encourage forward facial growth.

This creates room for teeth to erupt naturally, supports proper tongue posture, and opens the airway for healthier breathing and better sleep.

Our focus is always on the root cause, not just the symptoms. The result is a more balanced face, a healthier airway, and a stronger foundation for lifelong wellness.

We specialize in:

  • Forward facial growth and proper jaw development

  • Orthotropic therapy for kids

  • Non-extraction appliance therapy and early intervention

  • Growth guidance for children with narrow arches or crowded teeth

  • Correcting mouth breathing and poor tongue posture

Our Team

  • Professional headshot of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, smiling, wearing a dark suit and light blue shirt, against a plain white background.

    Becca

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a black top against a white background.

    Lindsay

  • Portrait of a young man with brown hair, a beard, and light-colored eyes, wearing a plaid shirt, smiling against a gray background.

    Kimberly

  • A professional woman with medium-length brown hair, wearing a beige blazer over a plaid shirt, smiling with arms crossed against a gray background.

    Jess

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Why Consider Orthotropics?

Orthotropics guides the upper and lower jaws to grow forward during childhood, which helps prevent many of the problems caused by downward or backward jaw development.

Common signs your child may benefit from treatment include:

  • Mouth breathing, snoring, or noisy sleep

  • Night terrors, teeth grinding, or frequent waking

  • Restless during sleep 

  • Difficulty being put to bed/aversion to sleep

  • The need for naps and falling asleep outside of bedtime hours

  • Bed wetting

  • Allergies

  • Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use

  • Crowded or crooked teeth

  • Forward head posture or dark under-eye circles

  • Behavioral issues such as hyperactivity or poor focus

  • “Hair trigger” personality. Easily agitated and upset.

Children with poor jaw development often suffer from narrow dental arches, restricted airways, and misaligned teeth. Left untreated, these problems can affect breathing, sleep, and even emotional health. Orthotropics works to correct these issues early by addressing the underlying growth pattern.

A young boy undergoing a dental X-ray, with a dental technician assisting him using an imaging machine.

Our Approach to Treatment

Pure Facial Development offers customized plans based on your child’s age, needs, and jaw growth pattern. For younger children, early intervention often focuses on creating space for the tongue and widening the arches. For older children, we use phased treatment to reposition the teeth and jaws more comprehensively.

We do not use Myobrace. Our appliances are specific, proven, and customized to each patient. Treatment may also include myofunctional therapy and collaboration with other specialists to support proper oral posture and breathing habits.

Our clinic serves families throughout Iowa, including the central Iowa areas of Ankeny, Des Moines, Ames, Altoona, Waukee, Clive, Johnston, Urbandale, and West Des Moines.

Real Stories, Real Outcomes

Parents often notice changes in more than just appearance. Families report:

  • Better sleep and fewer nighttime disruptions

  • Improved concentration and daytime energy

  • A more confident facial profile

  • Healthier breathing habits

  • Reduced anxiety or irritability

Orthotropic therapy not only supports physical development. It also supports a child’s overall well-being.

Take the First Step Today

If your child is showing signs of poor jaw development, mouth breathing, or crowded teeth, now is the time to act. Orthotropics works best during childhood, especially between the ages of 4 and 10. We are here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and help your child grow forward.

Visit us at 3720 N Ankeny Blvd., Suite 200, Ankeny, IA 50023
Call 515-963-3339
Or contact us to schedule your consultation

Give your child the opportunity to grow up with the healthiest foundation possible. Let us help you breathe easier about their future.

Schedule a Consultation

Ready to Learn More?

Help your child breathe, grow, and thrive using a natural approach to facial development.

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