The way I want to change the world.

I am thinking about orthodontics as a health service, not only an esthetic service...

Up until recently, I’ve felt that ortho was mainly an esthetic service, and that just few people really NEED it. Crooked teeth don't hurt. No one ever dies of a bad bite. But they WANT it.  And there are many benefits from a pleasing smile in our culture.  Better self-esteem.  More confidence smiling and speaking.  Pride in accomplishment.  Improved dental awareness and care.  All good things.  But like plastic surgery, it is a discretionary service, maybe even a luxury.  

From my new point of view, however, orthodontics, if and when it broadens its scope, can be a health oriented service that IS NEEDED by thousands of children.  When you look at alignment of teeth as merely a product of, a symptom of, or a solution to, a larger ailment that has health consequences well beyond just those of a pretty smile, then orthodontics takes on a greater significance.  

If crooked teeth are a symptom of early feeding and nutrition, then it is a health related matter.  If crooked teeth are a symptom of imbalanced musculo-skeletal alignment which contains vertebral subluxations and cranial strains, then it is a health related matter.  If crooked teeth are a symptom of suboptimal respiration where oxygen is not being processed efficiently and tissues are not being nourished as they should, then it is a health related matter.  If crooked teeth are related to mouth breathing, snoring, airway restriction, asthma, allergies, frequent upper respiratory infections, and sleep disorders, just to name a few, than orthodontics is certainly a health related matter.

What I am suggesting is that there is the possibility of a whole new line of concentration within our specialty.  One that is crying out for our attention. One that provides us with tremendous opportunity for improving the health of our children, now and into their future.  

Of course, we should still concentrate on the esthetic benefits of a beautiful smile.  But I also suggest that it is time to forgo esthetic goals when they are accomplished at the expense of health. Or when they are performed in ignorance of the health ramifications to our children. Ideally, our children have the right to enjoy both enhanced esthetics and enhanced health.

And that what I want to see happen in my lifetime.

...and how I discovered it.

I was looking at the description of this blog and realized how presumptuous it sounds that I "discovered" anything.  The only thing I discovered is the man who discovered all of what I now know before I did, and took it upon himself to tell the world about it.  Without Chris Farrell, I would not be writing this blog.


Dr. Farrell practices myofunctional dentistry in Helensvale, on the east coast of Australia.  Like me, he credits others for his knowledge, but he did three things that may yet change the face of orthodontics as we know it.   


First, over the past 20 years he's been developing a practical protocol for helping children change their bad oral habits.  Secondly, he developed the engineering techniques for producing a series of prefabricated appliances that can be used as part of this protocol.  And lastly, he is so passionate about the benefits of this treatment that he wants everyone - and I mean the entire planet - to know about it.  


He was well on his way to making it all happen before I ever heard of him.  Us Americans - so proud of our abilities with braces - are the last to know.


As my own dreams are beginning to align with his, I can only admire the big game he is playing.  So this blog is dedicated to Chris, with a big thank you for all you've done for the children of Earth.  May your success grow as others "discover" it, too.


Learn about his work here.

A Milestone

Milestones...things you pass along your way that let you know how far you've come.  I passed one today.  One I've been waiting for, and hope will be the first of many.


One of the issues with myofunctional therapy is that it requires the commitment and cooperation of the child.  Another issue is that it is new enough (in this part of the world) that not many people have heard of it.  And when you try to get a kid to do something new, it can be very difficult if he or she has never heard of it before...They'll say, "My friends don't have this, why do I need it?!"(drag out the word "I") or "You (if you're a parent, drag out the word YOU), YOOUUU told me I was getting braces with colors. What's this?!?".  Perception is everything, right?


So, today I was working with young girl, adjusting her light-wire expander and I said "So, now that you are used to your "wire thingy" (I call it), would you like to get your trainer this visit or next ?"(I always give choices)


"Oh, this visit!" Her face lit up so, that it took me aback.


"Why is that?" I asked, almost afraid to press my luck.


"Because Katie already has hers.  Can I have one in pink?"


Yaaaaaahhhhhooooooooooo! ( Drag that one out...).