Orthodontic Functional Orthopedic Therapy (Second Edition)

Author: Xu Yun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Explains the various important roles metabolism plays in biological reactions, aiming to better understand the working principles of functional appliances. Regardless of the type of functional appliance used by clinicians, it should provide them with a tool to enhance treatment. Function is certainly key to achieving the greatest biological response, but as orthodontic scholars, we should also be applied biologists, doing our best to elicit the best response from tissues. Even orthopedic surgeons should adopt this approach when dealing with general orthopedic issues. We have spent too much time focusing on the mechanical properties of appliances, brackets, bands, wires, and plastics. By limiting our perspective to our own specialty, we have lost our way forward. We can learn a great deal from other disciplines that can help transform our efforts into success. I want to repeat the statement I made at the beginning of this chapter: the key is not the tool itself, but how you use it—timing, reason, case type, patient age, and treatment duration. A more comprehensive understanding of human physiology will not only enable us to move teeth better but also make us better maxillofacial orthodontists. This book introduces the philosophy and methods for addressing skeletal and neuromuscular issues in the treatment of common malocclusions, such as Class I, Class II Division 1, retrognathia, Class III, anterior open bite, and growth-related problems. This does not mean that the orthodontic methods for moving teeth are wrong, but rather that only after a thorough and precise diagnostic analysis for each patient can we determine whether functional orthopedics (growth guidance) is needed, whether teeth need to be moved, and whether both should be done simultaneously or separately. The key is not the orthodontic tool you use, but the timing, reason, mechanism, and specific issues you need to address. The concepts and appliances introduced in this book are highly suitable for the demands of the new millennium. The challenge you face is to apply comprehensive diagnostic principles to make correct treatment decisions. We have orthodontic tools capable of achieving various treatment goals, but we must have sufficient and accurate information to determine whether treatment is needed, as well as the timing, reason, and mechanism.