ALF is a name of an orthodontic appliance. ALF also labels an appliance family. ALF also means a treatment philosophy. ALF is comfortable, invisible, can be used as a useful tool for early treatments arch developments, pre-aligner treatments and functional treatments. There are different courses about ALF. Now we can hear the authentic source. The inventor of the ALF Appliance Family and the Nordstrom Treatment Concept starts his new curriculum in Europe.
- If you think that an orthodontic treatment should work with the human body instead of moving teeth and bones forcefully according to some structural norms, you are a functional orthodontist. - If you believe that being a functional orthodontist is not equal to putting a so called functional appliance into your patient’s mouth, than you are not alone
Darick Nordstrom DDS, a pioneer dentist in CA, USA had been introduced to a bodywork called osteopathy early of his career. As a dual trained practitioner (osteopath and dentist) he had the opportunity to see what an orthodontic treatment can cause to the human body. He experienced that the side effects of regular orthodontic forces are much deeper beyond gum recess and root resorption. He recognized that another approach is necessary. Than he started to investigate what the appropriate appliance design and appropriate treatment protocol should be. This happened in the 80s. He was much more ahead of his generation. With osteopathic monitoring he developed first the original ALF design and later all the other appliances belonging to the ALF Appliance Family. Also he developed the most functional orthodontic approach ever. He had been the first in history of orthodontics starting implementing osteopathy in form of interdisciplinary cooperation. Also he as one of the first started to involve orofacial myotherapy into his dental, orthodontic treatments. He talked about breathing and sleeping much earlier than the sleep apnea dentistry started to be published and got its current popularity. He developed a new curriculum. In a series of courses he will teach his ALF Appliance Family and Nordstrom treatment concept from the very beginning to the most advanced level. ALF has been taught by some lecturers for years, however, the real essence of Nordstrom Treatment Concept is not transmitted most of the time. Due to the fact that ALF can be interpreted at different levels, the real functional concept is not understood well.
Participant following this introductory course will be able to select basic appliance design to their orthodontic cases, use them for conventional orthodontic purposes, like early treatments, arch development, mandibular advancement and orofacial functional training. In addition to this during the first course, participants will be introduced to Nordstrom Treatment Concept and to the highest level on which orthodontic treatment will work and treat the whole body. So those, who are fine with the basic features of the ALF will be able to use these appliances for conventional orthodontics. Others who want to be as functional as possible will be able to continue their curriculum on next courses.
ALF is a name of an orthodontic appliance. ALF also labels an appliance family. ALF also means a treatment philosophy. ALF has been distinguishing functional orthodontist from conventional structural oriented orthodontist for many years. The beauty of ALF is that this appliance can be used on 2 very different levels. On the one hand this is very comfortable, mostly invisible, but conventional orthodontic appliance. Removable, so hygienic, but still in the mouth for almost 24/7, so works with continues and low forces. This appliance is a very useful tool for early treatment, arch development, cross-bite correction, mandibular advancement, molar distalization, and pre-treatment for invisible aligners. However, on the other hand ALF is a functional orthodontic appliance which can be intentionally used according to the body’s need. When an osteopath will ask for a support of the body treatment by changing the intra-oral structures, ALF will get another meaning. Throughout the curriculum participants will learn how to cooperate with a body worker, being an osteopath, craniosacral therapist, chiropractor, or myofascial release therapist.
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