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Tag: neutral bite plane

Correcting Facial Asymmetries with Bite Plane Appliances and Functional Therapy

Posted on by Dr Adams

Facial asymmetry in children and adults can often be traced back to imbalances in oral function and skeletal growth—especially when the tongue isn’t positioned correctly on the palate, or when tethered oral tissues (like tongue, lip, or buccal ties) pull unevenly on facial muscles and bones. At TMJ Sleep and Breathe Center, we use a holistic approach to the treatment of facial asymmetries that includes neutral bite plane appliances, frenectomy procedures, and myofunctional therapy to help the face grow more symmetrically from the inside out.

facial asymmetry

How Facial Asymmetries Develop

Facial asymmetry doesn’t usually result from trauma or genetics alone. It frequently stems from functional imbalances during growth, including:

1. Tongue Posture and Jaw Development

When the tongue does not rest on the roof of the mouth (the palate), it loses its natural role as an internal support for the upper jaw. Without that gentle, upward pressure:

  • The maxilla (upper jaw) can collapse downward
  • One side of the jaw may drop lower than the other
  • The entire midface can shift off-center
  • Facial elongation and asymmetry become more pronounced

2. Tethered Oral Tissues (Ties)

Tight tongue, lip, or buccal ties restrict movement and create asymmetric tension. When these restrictions are tighter on one side than the other:

  • Facial growth can be pulled unevenly
  • The jaw may grow at an angle
  • Cheeks and eye areas may appear imbalanced

3. Mouth Breathing and Muscle Imbalance

Chronic mouth breathing—often resulting from nasal obstruction, ties, or improper tongue posture—disrupts normal facial muscle tone and growth direction. This can:

  • Cause one side of the face to be more active than the other
  • Lead to muscular asymmetry and slanted growth patterns

The Role of the Bite Plane in Facial Balance

Bite plane appliances are used in many of our orthopedic and orthodontic devices to support the jaw in a neutral, balanced position. This “neutral bite plane” encourages:

  • Relaxation of head, neck, and jaw muscles
  • Equalized pressure across the dental arches
  • A more centered lower jaw position
  • Improved symmetry in bite force and muscular tone

By reducing the influence of an unbalanced bite, the bite plane gives the bones and soft tissues a chance to grow and settle more symmetrically.

Many of our appliances—including the Homeoblock, Schwarz, DNA appliance, and even our MASPE expanders can incorporate bite planes designed to encourage symmetry during growth.

Pairing Bite Plane Therapy with Tie Releases and Myofunctional Work

The best results in correcting facial asymmetry come from addressing both the structure and function of the oral environment. At TMJ Sleep and Breathe Center, we often pair bite plane therapy with:

1. Laser Release of Lip, Buccal, and Tongue Ties

When ties are released—especially if one side is more restricted than the other—we often see a dramatic shift toward more balanced growth and posture. We use the LightScalpel CO2 laser for precise, low-trauma frenectomies. Benefits include:

  • Improved tongue range of motion
  • Elimination of asymmetrical tension from one-sided restrictions
  • Better oral rest posture

2. Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy retrains the oral and facial muscles to:

  • Support a closed mouth posture
  • Maintain nasal breathing
  • Keep the tongue on the roof of the mouth
  • Swallow and speak correctly

When combined with appliance therapy and tie release, myofunctional therapy reinforces the newly balanced environment and helps guide symmetrical growth.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Children’s faces grow rapidly—and the earlier we intervene, the more we can influence bone remodeling and symmetry. That said, adults can also benefit from this integrated approach. Facial asymmetries in adults may soften, and muscular imbalances can often be retrained and improved over time.

Signs your child (or you) may benefit from this treatment approach include:

  • A noticeable midline shift
  • Asymmetrical smile or jaw movements
  • Chronic teeth clenching or grinding
  • Mouth breathing
  • Narrow or high-arched palate
  • Slanted eye or cheek level in photos

Our Holistic Approach to Facial Balance

At TMJ Sleep and Breathe Center, we don’t simply treat the teeth—we work with the entire craniofacial system to improve form, function, and long-term wellness.

Our protocol for addressing facial asymmetry includes:

  1. Comprehensive airway and skeletal evaluation (including CBCT imaging)
  2. Custom appliance therapy with a neutral bite plane
  3. Slow, biological palatal expansion (MASPE)
  4. Targeted release of oral ties using CO2 laser
  5. Myofunctional therapy from trained providers
  6. Ongoing monitoring and functional integration

Schedule a Consultation

If you or your child are showing signs of facial asymmetry or imbalance, it’s important to address the root cause—not just the appearance. Our integrative approach can help restore balance, improve breathing, and support healthier facial development.

Contact us today at TMJ Sleep and Breathe Center to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve more symmetrical, functional, and confident growth.

What Is a Neutral Bite Plane? How It Supports Orthodontic Expansion and Facial Balance

Posted on by Dr Adams

What Is a Neutral Bite Plane? How It Supports Orthodontic Expansion and Facial Balance. If you’ve ever heard the term “neutral bite plane” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. It’s a concept we use often in our practice, especially when working with patients undergoing orthodontic expansion or those suffering from jaw tension, TMJ discomfort, or facial asymmetry. In fact, many of the most effective appliances used in airway-focused orthodontics and craniofacial development rely on a bite plane to do their job properly.

Let’s break down what a bite plane is, what we mean by “neutral,” and how this feature supports skeletal changes, muscle relaxation, and even improved facial symmetry.

neutral bite plane

What Is a Bite Plane?

A bite plane is a flat, polished surface—usually made of medical-grade acrylic—built into the design of an orthodontic or orthopedic appliance. It covers part of the teeth (most commonly the lower back teeth) and determines how the upper and lower jaws come together.

The bite plane serves several functions:

  • Prevents full closure of the back teeth to relieve jaw compression
  • Reduces muscle hyperactivity by shifting the bite to a more open, relaxed position
  • Guides the jaws into a new relationship, often more stable or symmetrical

Bite planes are integrated into many well-known appliances, including:

What Makes It a “Neutral” Bite Plane?

The word neutral refers to a specific jaw position where the muscles of the face, head, neck, and jaw are at rest. This position varies slightly from person to person but is identified through clinical evaluation, often with the help of CBCT scans, jaw tracking, or facial symmetry assessments.

When a bite plane is designed to support the jaw in this neutral position:

  • The muscles stop compensating for an imbalanced bite
  • Clenching and grinding often subside
  • Head, neck, and TMJ tension are significantly reduced
  • Postural and cranial strain may also improve

In essence, a neutral bite plane doesn’t just support the teeth—it supports the entire craniofacial system.

The Role of a Bite Plane in Orthodontic Expansion

Orthodontic expanders like the Homeoblock, DNA, Twin Block, or even some Schwarz appliances often include a bite plane as part of their design. This isn’t just a coincidence—it’s a key component of successful orthopedic change.

Here’s why:

  • Expansion appliances stimulate bone growth by applying gentle pressure to the palate or lower arch.
  • When paired with a neutral bite plane, this growth can occur in a more balanced, symmetrical direction.
  • The bite plane also prevents compensatory muscle activity that might otherwise resist or distort the expansion.

By allowing the jaws to settle in a neutral zone, the bite plane removes interference that might skew bone development. This is particularly important when treating patients with facial asymmetry, narrow jaws, or chronic muscle tension.

Facial Asymmetry and the Bite Plane

One of the lesser-known but powerful effects of using a bite plane in expansion therapy is its ability to support symmetry in facial growth. This happens in two ways:

  1. Muscle Balance: Uneven bite forces and muscle strain often pull the face out of alignment. A neutral bite plane calms those forces and lets both sides of the face grow more evenly.
  2. Guided Growth: The appliance gently reshapes the bones of the face and jaw. When the bite is balanced, the direction of that growth is more likely to follow a symmetrical path.

While it won’t make asymmetries disappear overnight, this combination of expansion + neutral bite position can significantly improve balance and appearance over time.

Final Thoughts

The bite plane may look like a simple piece of acrylic, but it plays a profound role in supporting neuromuscular relaxation, skeletal balance, and orthodontic success. When designed in a neutral position, it helps unlock the full potential of appliances like the Homeoblock, DNA, Twin Block, and many others.

If you’re undergoing treatment with an expander—or dealing with jaw tension or facial imbalance—ask whether your appliance includes a neutral bite plane. It might be the key to a more comfortable and successful outcome.

Want to learn more about how a bite plane could benefit your treatment? Contact our office to schedule a consultation.

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