A young boy is having his dental X-ray taken by a smiling woman in a dental office. The boy is facing to the right, with his head inside a white panoramic dental X-ray machine.

Orthotropic Care in Ankeny, IA

Natural Solutions for Lifelong Health and Facial Balance

At Pure Facial Development, we help children grow into their healthiest, most confident selves by guiding the face to develop the way nature intended. Led by Dr. Erika Peddicord, our clinic specializes in orthotropic treatment for children throughout Ankeny, Des Moines, Ames, and surrounding Iowa communities.

Orthotropics is not traditional orthodontics. It is a proactive, non-extraction method that focuses on forward facial growth, proper oral posture, and healthy airway development. We do more than straighten teeth. We help guide the entire face to develop in a way that supports breathing, sleep, behavior, and appearance for life.

Is Your Child Showing These Signs?

Orthotropic therapy works best when started early, ideally between the ages of 4 and 10. This approach may prevent the need for braces, jaw surgery, extractions of permanent teeth, or CPAP use later in life. These signs often point to underdeveloped jaws, restricted airways, or poor oral posture. Orthotropics targets the root cause of these issues rather than just masking symptoms

Watch for these signs in your child:

Sleep and Breathing

  • Snoring or noisy breathing

  • Night terrors or bedwetting

  • Daytime fatigue or frequent naps

  • Teeth grinding or clenching

  • Bedwetting

  • Open mouth during sleep

  • Frequent movements during sleep

Behavioral or Postural

  • Hyperactivity or attention struggles

  • Mouth breathing

  • Thumb sucking

  • Forward head posture or dark under-eye circles

  • Fidgeting

  • Frequent oral habits (chewing or sucking on objects)

Dental and Facial Development

  • Crooked or crowded teeth

  • Gummy smile, open bite, or crossbite

  • Narrow upper jaw

  • Baby teeth with no spacing (there should be room for a nickel between each tooth)

  • Jaw growth that is downward or set back

What Is Orthotropics?

Orthotropics is a method that uses removable dental appliances and behavior-based therapy to guide proper facial growth. Developed by Dr. John Mew, this technique supports the forward and outward growth of the face, which helps create room for teeth, opens the airway, and supports lifelong health.

Unlike braces, which only move teeth, orthotropics aims to correct the underlying cause of misalignment. This includes habits like mouth breathing or poor tongue posture that can compromise facial growth.

Dentist taking a photo of a young boy sitting in the dental chair, who is smiling and holding a toothbrush, in a dental office.

Why Forward Growth Matters

When the jaws grow forward, there is enough room for all the teeth to erupt naturally and for the tongue to rest comfortably on the roof of the mouth. This tongue posture is key. It promotes nasal breathing, supports proper jaw development, and helps maintain a clear, stable airway.

The tongue is a complex muscle group, and like any muscle, it needs to be used properly to stay strong. When the tongue rests low or is not engaged correctly, it can become weak over time. A weak tongue is more likely to fall back into the throat during sleep, partially blocking the airway and contributing to issues like mouth breathing, restless sleep, or sleep-disordered breathing.

Improper jaw growth and poor tongue posture can lead to long, narrow faces, recessed jaws, crowded teeth, and long-term breathing and health problems. Orthotropics addresses the root cause of these issues by guiding the jaws to grow forward while a child is still developing. This growth pattern supports not only better alignment but also acts as a foundation for the surrounding muscles and soft tissues of the face to function properly.

When the face grows forward and in balance, it does not just improve function; it transforms appearance. Orthotropic treatment naturally enhances facial harmony by encouraging the jaws, cheekbones, and midface to develop in proportion. This forward growth supports the airway, creating the space needed for healthy breathing and strong tongue posture. As a result, children often develop more defined jawlines, balanced profiles, and improved symmetry. These visible changes are not only cosmetic in nature; they are the outward reflection of proper growth and airway health. A face that looks healthy is a sign that the body is healthy too.

By promoting strong oral posture and forward facial growth, orthotropic therapy helps create the structure children need to breathe, sleep, and thrive.

Dr. Peddicord on WHO 13 Des Moines:
Understanding Orthotropics

Dr. Erika Peddicord appeared on WHO 13 Des Moines to explain what orthotropics is and why early treatment is so important. She discussed how this natural, growth-guidance approach supports healthy facial and airway development by correcting the root causes of poor jaw growth. Dr. Peddicord also shared key signs parents and grandparents can watch for, including mouth breathing, crowded teeth, and restless sleep. Identifying these issues early allows orthotropic therapy to guide the face to grow forward, helping children breathe, sleep, and thrive.

Source: Hello Iowa! WHO 13 Des Moines

How Orthotropic Therapy Works

At Pure Facial Development, each child receives a personalized treatment plan based on a thorough exam and growth assessment. A typical care plan may include:

  • Removable appliances that expand the dental arches

  • Postural appliances that encourage children to maintain correct jaw position

  • Myofunctional therapy to improve breathing and tongue function

  • Lifestyle coaching to support better sleep and oral posture

  • Referrals to trusted specialists when additional care is needed

Appliances are worn full-time during active phases and at night during retention. Appointments are scheduled every 2 to 6 weeks, depending on treatment stage.

Orthotropics vs Orthodontics

Orthotropics

✓ Guides facial growth

✓ Corrects root causes

✓ Improves airway and sleep

✓ Encourages nasal breathing

✓ Supports proper jaw growth, reduces future issues, and limits the need for long-term retainers.

Traditional Orthodontics

✗ Moves teeth only

✗ Focuses on alignment

✗ Airway not considered

✗ Does not address oral posture

✗ Does not address jaw growth, often leads to permanent teeth extractions, relapse, and lifelong retainer use.

3D dental imaging scan showing a side view of a human skull with teeth, jaw, and other facial structures. The scan includes measurements and cross-sectional views of the jaw and teeth.

The Role of Digital X-Rays in Diagnosing Bite and Growth Issues

At Pure Facial Development in Ankeny, Dr. Erika Peddicord uses advanced 3D digital x-ray technology to evaluate how a child’s teeth, jaws, and facial structures are developing. Unlike traditional two-dimensional x-rays, 3D scans provide a complete view of the jaws and airway, making it easier to spot growth concerns early.

Crowded teeth, recessed jaws, or airway restrictions may not be visible during a routine exam, but 3D imaging captures these details with precision. This allows Dr. Peddicord to identify the root causes of poor development and design treatment plans that guide forward facial growth rather than simply moving teeth into place

For parents, 3D images provide clarity and reassurance. They make it easy to understand why a child may be snoring, grinding their teeth, or showing early bite issues, while also tracking progress throughout orthotropic care.

Dr. Peddicord has invested in 3D digital imaging because it leads to more accurate diagnosis, better monitoring, and healthier long-term outcomes. At Pure Facial Development, this technology is a cornerstone of helping children grow forward with balanced faces, strong airways, and lasting confidence.

A woman with long blonde hair wearing a dark green blouse and blue jeans standing in an office reception area with a white counter and a metal wall art of a tree in the background.

Why Families in Iowa Trust Dr. Erika Peddicord

Dr. Erika Peddicord is one of the only providers in Iowa offering full orthotropic care. She brings years of experience, a deep understanding of facial growth, and a warm, honest approach to each family she serves.

What makes Pure Facial Development different:

  • One of the only orthotropic providers in the state

  • Comprehensive care that includes both appliance therapy and habit correction

  • Strong family involvement and support throughout treatment

  • A philosophy rooted in natural facial development with no extractions

Dr. Peddicord partners with families to ensure compliance, success, and long-term health outcomes. The greatest risk with this therapy is not medical. It is non-compliance. Success requires full cooperation from both the child and caregivers.

Personalized Treatment Plans with Transparent Guidance

Every child is unique, and so is their treatment. At Pure Facial Development, we believe in full transparency when it comes to your investment in care. During your initial evaluation, Dr. Peddicord will take the time to explain your child’s diagnosis, walk through each phase of the recommended treatment, and answer every question you have.

You'll receive a clear, customized overview of the treatment timeline, the types of appliances involved, and how follow-up visits will be structured. We’ll also outline the financial commitment and discuss available payment plan options to make care as accessible as possible for your family.

There are no surprises, no pressure, and no one-size-fits-all approach. Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.

A dental patient is lying back in a dental chair, smiling and wearing orange safety glasses. Two dental professionals, both wearing pink masks and gloves, are attending to her in a dental office.

Schedule Your Child’s Consultation Today

If your child is showing signs of poor jaw development or sleep-disordered breathing, the best time to act is now. Early intervention can prevent lifelong problems and give your child the foundation for a healthier future.

Give your child more than a smile. Give them the gift of healthy growth and a lifetime of confidence, health, and natural beauty.

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