Real Patients. Guided Growth. Lasting Change.

Orthotropic Case Studies Led by Dr. Erika Peddicord

At Pure Facial Development, Dr. Erika Peddicord uses orthotropic therapy to address the root causes of dental crowding, airway restriction, and improper facial growth. Rather than focusing solely on straightening teeth, her approach guides how the jaws, face, and airway develop over time. Each case study highlights a real patient Dr. Peddicord has personally treated, demonstrating how early intervention, proper oral posture, and growth-guided therapy can lead to healthier breathing, improved function, and more stable outcomes. These stories illustrate what is possible when facial development is addressed proactively, before problems become permanent.

When Breathing Is the Root of the Problem

Challenge:
Early signs of restricted jaw growth and limited airway development placed the patient at risk for crowding, improper facial growth, and long-term breathing issues if left unaddressed.

Solution:
Dr. Erika Peddicord guided the patient through phased orthotropic therapy during active growth, expanding the arches, supporting forward jaw development, improving airway function, and establishing healthy oral posture for long-term stability.

This patient began orthotropic treatment under the care of Dr. Erika Peddicord during childhood, at a time when facial growth could still be guided rather than corrected later. From the beginning, Dr. Peddicord’s focus was not simply on straightening teeth, but on addressing the underlying structure that supports healthy breathing, jaw development, and long-term stability.

During Phase 1 therapy, Dr. Peddicord worked to expand both the upper and lower dental arches. This expansion helped increase airway space, allowed room for the teeth to erupt naturally, and created the proper environment for the tongue to rest and function as intended. By guiding the upper jaw into a more ideal position, Dr. Peddicord was able to “unlock” the lower jaw, giving it the ability to grow forward rather than downward or backward.

Once adequate space and alignment were achieved, treatment progressed into Phase 2. Dr. Peddicord introduced a training appliance designed to guide the lower jaw into its appropriate position as growth continued. This phase supported forward development of the mandible, strengthened the jawline, and guided the remaining teeth into the dental arch. Equal emphasis was placed on function, including proper tongue-based swallowing, unconscious oral posture, and reducing reliance on the lips and cheeks for support.

With each phase of treatment, airway function continued to improve. This case illustrates how Dr. Peddicord’s growth-guided approach addresses both structure and function early, helping reduce the risk of complex orthodontic and airway concerns later in life.

Treatment Progress Over 15 Months

When Sleep and Behavior Signal a Growth Problem

Challenge:
A 5 year old boy was brought to our office in Ankeny, IA with concerns that many parents in Central Iowa might recognize. He struggled with bedwetting, restless sleep, and what his parents described as “tired but wired” behavior during the day. He was constantly on the move, had difficulty settling down, and often woke up unrefreshed.

On examination, we noted several classic signs associated with poor facial development and airway restriction. He had minimal spacing between his baby teeth, a narrow upper jaw, and a tendency toward mouth breathing. According to the principles of orthotropics, these findings are not just dental concerns. They are indicators of downward and backward jaw growth, which can compromise the airway and affect sleep quality

In children this age, the bones are still developing. That means we have an opportunity to guide growth rather than wait and react with braces later.

Solution:
Using orthotropic treatment at Pure Facial Development, Dr. Erika Peddicord implemented early growth guidance therapy designed to widen the dental arches and encourage forward facial growth. Orthotropics supports the natural development of the jaws by creating space for the tongue and promoting proper oral posture

Over several months, we used a growth guidance appliance to gently expand his upper arch and redirect jaw growth. As his arches widened, we began to see positive changes beyond his teeth. His bedwetting episodes improved. Nighttime restlessness decreased. His daytime mood became calmer and more regulated.

Most importantly, he now has healthy spacing for his permanent teeth to erupt naturally, reducing the likelihood of extractions or traditional orthodontics in the future.

For families in Ankeny, Des Moines, Ames, and surrounding Iowa communities searching for orthotropics near me or a child facial development dentist, this case is a powerful example of how airway focused orthodontics can address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

When Chronic Nosebleeds Reveal a Narrow Airway

Challenge:
A 7 year old girl came to our office in Ankeny, IA with two primary concerns: chronic nosebleeds and significant dental crowding. Her parents were understandably focused on her teeth, but as a dentist trained in orthotropics, I look beyond alignment alone.

During her growth assessment, we used 3D imaging to evaluate her airway and facial development. What we discovered was important. The ideal position of the nasal septum should sit centered within the nasal cavity. In her case, the septum was clearly deviated. This type of deviation can occur when the roof of the mouth, also known as the palate, develops high and narrow. Because the palate forms the floor of the nose, a constricted upper arch can reduce nasal space and encroach on the sinuses.

She also had an asymmetrical palate. Left unaddressed, this can contribute to facial asymmetry, ongoing sinus congestion, and persistent airway challenges. According to orthotropic principles, improper jaw growth often leads to narrow dental arches, crowded teeth, and restricted airways.

Her dental crowding was not the root problem. It was a symptom of underdeveloped facial growth.

Solution:
Using orthotropic treatment at Pure Facial Development, Dr. Erika Peddicord implemented early growth guidance therapy designed to widen the dental arches and encourage forward facial growth. Orthotropics supports the natural development of the jaws by creating space for the tongue and promoting proper oral posture

Over several months, we used a growth guidance appliance to gently expand her upper arch and redirect jaw growth. As her arches widened, we began to see positive changes beyond her teeth. Her bedwetting episodes improved. Nighttime restlessness decreased. Her daytime mood became calmer and more regulated.

Most importantly, he now has healthy spacing for her permanent teeth to erupt naturally, reducing the likelihood of extractions or traditional orthodontics in the future.

For families in Ankeny, Des Moines, Ames, and surrounding Iowa communities searching for orthotropics near me or a child facial development dentist, this case is a powerful example of how airway focused orthodontics can address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

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