Alternative to jaw clenching: Modern ways to a wide smile
Many adults who suffer from crooked teeth, a narrow smile or even discomfort when chewing or breathing are often advised: "Your upper jaw is too narrow - it needs to be widened surgically." However, in traditional orthodontics, "surgery" often means that the jaw has to be surgically cut - commonly known as "jaw clenching".
But why actually?
Why is this being done at all?
In many adults, the upper jaw is too narrow. As a result, the teeth have no space, twist or bite incorrectly - a so-called malocclusion. This also often makes the smile look narrower than it should be.
Imagine a child's room was planned for a small child - small, compact, everything fits perfectly. But the child grows, gets more toys, books, a desk.
Suddenly the room is too small.
It is the same with a narrow upper jaw in adulthood:
The jaw was too small during development - but the teeth are normal size. Now they are crooked, crowded and the bite is no longer correct. You feel uncomfortable - both visually and functionally.
The solution? Don't remove the desk, but extend the room.
This is possible today using modern methods - without having to break through the wall.
left: narrow smile, teeth are crowded → right: wide smile, all teeth have space in the jaw.
In the past, this meant breaking jaws
Because the so-called growth plates of the bone are already ossified in adults, it was previously no longer possible to open them gently, as was the case with children or adolescents. For this reason, surgical methods were used: the bone was incised in several places to artificially make the joint "mobile" again.
Today, this is often possible without surgery
Thanks to modern technology, this drastic step is no longer necessary in many cases.
The bone can be reactivated through the targeted use of mini implants in the palate area - without any incisions. Using a special biological protocol ("Force-Controlled Polycyclic Protocol" Dr. Heinz Winsauer et al.), controlled tension is applied to the bone over a period of several weeks. This causes the growth plate to "react" again - very similar to the way it did in adolescence.
Left: Expanders on mini-implants to create the width required by the teeth - without any bone cuts.
What does this mean for you as a patient?
No operation
No cuts in the bone
No inpatient stay
No scars
And yet: more space for your teeth, a wider smile and better function
Modern orthodontics therefore offers gentle alternatives where drastic interventions were previously necessary. It is important that your situation is analyzed individually - because not every method is suitable for everyone. But it's worth asking: Can I be treated without surgery?
Already during the treatment (picture on the right) patients are pleased about a broader
Smile.