orthotropics - anyone done this? Tell me more...

[geekgirl]

because the orthotropics website is pretty rubbish and I can't find much other info online.
I am considering this for dd1 who has been a thumb sucker for many years, but I am curious as to why, if orthotropics is so effective and non-invasive, it's not become part of mainstream orthodontics.
The cost seems to be about the same as traditional train tracks, so why is it not more widespread?
Dd2 (who has severe overcrowding as she has small facial features as a result of having Down's syndrome) sees a consultant paediatric dentist and he's never mentioned anything about guided growth etc.

I went to see someone in this field for DS1, also a thumb sucker. I didn't really come out of the appointment any the wiser. He seemed to think DS didn't need any treatment, but now that his front two teeth have started coming through they are very crooked and gappy.
From what I could gather from the literature, the treatment seemed to last for years and was pretty complicated?
I made an appointment for DS to see a traditional orthodontist this half term but had to cancel. I think now I would just like him to have a traditional brace as soon as all his teeth are through. I just wish there was some kind of "junior brace" to catch the front teeth as they come through.
I will be interested to see if anyone else has any information.

I've tried ringing some of the people listed locally on the orthotropics website, but at all 3(!) dental surgeries I had a baffled receptionist telling me that 'Mr So-and-so hasn't worked here for years!'.
Dd1's teeth look straight to me but apparently she has misshaped her jaw somewhat. She does have a bit of a receding chin but then so do I.

Ditto about the chin, this was partly what attracted me to it especially with having a boy and the square jaw thing.

The chap I went to see couldn't have been a day under 80. Probably older. It was really odd.

bumping this - anyone else out there? the Dc had their regular dental check-up yesterday and dd1 does have quite an overbite apparently and will need braces in the future...