Epigenetic Orthodontics (also called Functional Orthodontics) is a specialized field in dentistry dealing with correcting the narrow palates, poorly aligned bites, facial asymmetries and small jaws that so many of us are afflicted with (it can also deal with crooked teeth). It takes a look at where our development went wrong and looks at the dental structure in the context of the whole face and how it all functions, rather than just looking at whether or not the teeth are straight.
The objective is to allow the craniofacial structure to develop in the way they would have, had our gene expression been optimized. Epigenetic Orthodontics stimulates a person’s genes to correct and straighten the teeth without the use of force brackets, affecting craniofacial, dental, and airway structures so that natural developmental processes are evoked by the use of orthodontic appliances. In simpler terms, the appliance makes room by causing new palate and jaw growth and the teeth naturally move into a healthy position.
Unlike traditional orthodontics, where the main objective is to simply straighten the teeth at all costs, (how many of you had teeth yanked before you got your braces?), it addresses the foundational issues. It's like the difference between "flipping" a house by doing cosmetic fixes and doing a real renovation, addressing the structural issues. Other issues with traditional orthodontics are that the teeth often shift and somewhat revert back to their original positions, unless a retainer is worn and the shape of the face and profile can be negatively affected due to extractions and pulling the upper row of teeth back, creating a pinched appearance or a receded chin.
Epigenetic Orthodontics uses removable palate expanding retainers, usually worn at night, that use light biological force, making it a much more comfortable process. It's not only more comfortable, it's also safer, as high forces from traditional orthodontic palate wideners can exert unhealthy pressure on the cranial bones (even affecting mental function in children.) There's no way you can put s much pressure on the cranial bones and NOT affect brain signaling.
The result of treatment is horizontal bone tissue growth resulting in better facial symmetry, nicer bone structure, healthy orthodontic alignment, better airways and better TMJ alignment.
Getting Treatment
[Edit: you can find lists of practitioners on each of the treatment option sites listed below.]
It used to be thought that you could only change the palate during childhood, but it's now been demonstrated that the palate can be expanded in adults even into their 70's, so there's hope for all of us. There are a number of different orthodontic appliances being used to accomplish adult palate expansion:
The pioneer in this still relatively obscure (at least in the U.S.) field is Dr. G. Dave Singh, DDS, creator of the DNA Appliance. You can listen to an interview with Dr. Singh. The DNA Appliance is worn while sleeping and works with the circadian rhythms (night is when most of the body's repair goes on).
Another appliance also worn only at night is the Homeoblock appliance, developed by Dr. Theodore Belfor, DDS. This was used in the treatment of the young man pictured at the top of this article (this change is after only 6 months of treatment). You can see that his facial structure became wider- that's what horizontal growth looks like. There are some fascinating videos on the website of people's faces morphing from "before" to "after" and some of the facial changes are absolutely amazing. Definitely check them out!
Here's a woman after 6 months of treatment. You can see the improvement in symmetry- the right side of her face is now less drooping and she almost looks like she's had a subtle lower face lift. Her cheekbones are slightly more prominent and less flat (and no, it's not just because she's wearing makeup in the second shot):
More effects on symmetry:
There are many skeptics in the dental community claiming that Functional Orthodontics don't actually change the bone structure, but when you look at the cases presented in the Facial Development Newsletter, complete with computer imaging of areas of bone growth and expansion, it's pretty clear that they do indeed change bone structure and increase bone growth.
A slightly different type of orthodontic appliance that is less bulky, but worn continuously is Advanced Lightwire Functionals (ALF), developed by Dr. Darick Nordstrom.
Dr. Raymond Silkmanm, DDS, who uses ALF appliances, did a fantastic 2 part interview that I highly recommend listening to. Here's Part 1 and Part 2.
What about treating children?
Early Orthotropic growth guiding
treatment during childhood, when development issues first surface, is ideal, but treatment can be done at any point during childhood, usually avoiding the need for braces. There are early signs that parents can look for to determine if their child's jaw and bite are developing improperly.
Here's an example of Orthotropic-guided growth:
So, I've given you an overview of the effects of poor jaw development and some of the treatment options. I hope to try this technology out for myself one day, as I could definitely benefit from bite correction and better airway development (and, let's be honest, more sculpted cheekbones sound pretty good, too!)
Nourishing NancyMay 17, 2011 at 8:23 AM
Erin,
I think I'll send this off to my orthodontist, who is using the Damon
System on me. Damon seems to be achieving some similar results because
it also expands the palate.
So far, the braces have moved my front teeth further up into the palate, which took away some of the gummy smile that I had. I still see gums, but not quite as much. Also, I know that there was some palate expansion because I suddenly had huge gaps between some teeth. Since there is no room between the teeth to start with, the newfound space is proof of the expansion.
So sad all this, however. Dr. Price was right: we were meant to have perfectly formed palates and faces WHEN WE ADHERE TO A NUTRIENT DENSE TRADITIONAL DIET!
Sorry for cyber screaming, but that's how frustrating it feels. Thanks for the very interesting post!
http://www.nourishingnancy.com/2011/05/11/new-video-damon-braces-progress/
ReplySo far, the braces have moved my front teeth further up into the palate, which took away some of the gummy smile that I had. I still see gums, but not quite as much. Also, I know that there was some palate expansion because I suddenly had huge gaps between some teeth. Since there is no room between the teeth to start with, the newfound space is proof of the expansion.
So sad all this, however. Dr. Price was right: we were meant to have perfectly formed palates and faces WHEN WE ADHERE TO A NUTRIENT DENSE TRADITIONAL DIET!
Sorry for cyber screaming, but that's how frustrating it feels. Thanks for the very interesting post!
http://www.nourishingnancy.com/2011/05/11/new-video-damon-braces-progress/
Exteneded breastfeeding definitely helps , but it doesn't necessarily prevent poor development (I was breastfed for a year and a half). A lot of it has to do with preconception and prenatal nutrition (and existing deficiencies), as well as the foods the child is eating as they develop (again, I ate whole "healthy" foods as a child, but grains do not agree with me and I have a gluten intolerance, so that likely affected growth).
We also have to remember that our soil is MUCH more nutrient depleted than it was a century ago, so it takes extra effort to get the nutrients needed.
Nutrients for bone that most don't get enough of these days are D3 (not everyone makes enough from the sun and we wash it off before it's done forming in our skin- it takes 48 hours), Vitamin A (retinol)- not everyone converts beta carotene to retinol efficiently, K2 (fermented foods and grass fed butter) magnesium (very important for bones) and silica (the forgotten bone matrix/connective tissue mineral!)
Bone broths, rich in gelatin and collagen are important, too, as well as organ meats!
Firstly, the only difference that I can tell between functional orthodontics and the dna appliance (epigenetic orthodontics) is that patients are asked to wear the dna appliance fewer hours. Supposedly this invokes some kind of circadian rhythym or growth factor and helps the skeleton grow. This is pure conjecture.
All palatal expansion appliances, whether they are fixed or removable, rapid or slow produce very similar results. While some studies have shown alveolar expansion (the bone around the teeth)in adults, I have not been able to find a study showing expansion of the mid palatal suture in adults. One study looked for this and the only expansion was dental-alveolar. No magic stimulus at the suture has ever been demonstrated, no change in our epigenome has ever been demonstrated. Again, pure conjecture. No change in the skeleton has been measured with either dna appliances or functional appliances.
I read a comment from a PhD in epigenetics and genomics who stated that the epigenetics and orthodontic treatment are completely unrelated and that perveyors of this treatment were ripping people off.
The upper dna appliance is nearly identical to what is known as Schwarz/Sagittal Active Plate and this has been around for at least 50 years.
This appliance might cost someone about 4-500 dollars. You could get this and wear it fewer hours....and presto....it's a dna appliance!! You just saved $7500!!!
