I just read in a magazine that you can judge a person's personality by the position of their jaw. Is that true?

These studies are actually about the perception people have about someone's personality based on chin or jaw position. Studies have found that a person with a "strong" or forward positioned jaw is perceived as being firm and aggressive in behavior. A person with a "weak" or protrusive jaw is perceived as being emotional and kind. It is speculated that judging a person by his or her jaw position is more of an instinctual behavior than a learned behavior.

My child has a narrow palate and a small lower jaw. I’m concerned his narrow palate is preventing his lower jaw from growing. Can orthodontic treatment help bring his lower jaw forward?

Yes, widening the palate allows the lower jaw to move forward. I use the high-tech H4 system of braces to gently widen the palate and to create wide beautiful smiles without removing teeth. I do not recommend using screws or palatal expanders to widen the palate because I feel that the forces used with this kind of treatment are too strong. I prefer to use a much gentler method to widen the palate. Please call 1-800-4BRACES for your free consultation.

I hear that you correct crooked teeth problems without taking out teeth using a high-tech system of braces. Does that really work?

Yes, for 12 years I have treated 98% of my patients without taking out any teeth, but sometimes I hear that people still have questions. I use the high-tech Damon System of Braces, which allows me to treat almost all of my patients without taking out teeth. If you are advised that you must have teeth taken out to correct a crowding or bite problem, please afford me the opportunity to provide you a second opinion. Please call 1-800-4-BRACES for a free consultation.

Q: I had four teeth taken out as a teen when I had braces. I am now 40 years old and I snore. My dentist says that the jaw holding my teeth is too narrow and needs to be widened in order to reduce my snoring. Are there any other side effects to having teeth removed?

Dr. Herman's Answer: Back in the last century, all orthodontists had no choice but to take out teeth. But since 2002 orthodontists, using the Damon System of Braces rarely remove teeth. We know that removing four healthy teeth can lead to a narrower jaw, create spaces later in life and sink in the mid face making a person age poorly. For over 10 years I have encouraged people to get a second opinion if an orthodontist wants to remove four healthy teeth. Call 1-800-4-BRACES for your free consultation before you remove any healthy teeth.