Introduction to Orthotropic Remediation and the Importance of Nasal Breathing

Tenets of an orthotropic paradigm:

• The orthotropic objective aims to keep the growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) up and forward vs. down and back.
• Treatment of crooked teeth addresses the symptom rather than the cause, which explains the high rate of relapse in traditional orthodontia.
• Removing teeth actually hinders growth and development.
• Malocclusion is related to vertical growth instead of horizontal development.
• Cases should be initiated by eight years old as the maxilla fixes to the cranium between the ages of eight and nine.

Dr. Mew’s most important goal targets adjustment of the shape of the dental arch to restore a normal pattern of nasal breathing (eliminating mouth breathing).

Nasal breathing reestablishes a more protrusive mandibular (lower jaw) position, optimizing TMJ (temporomandibular joint) position and function. This readjustment works similarly to a cranial manipulation.

What happens during mouth breathing? The mechanics of the obligatory mouth breather are based on the compromise of the airway and associated musculature positioning in and around the mouth. When the mouth is open a significant part of the day and night for breathing, the tongue drops from its natural position inside the maxillary arch. This lingual drop results in a reduction in intraoral pressure, causing the dental arch to collapse inward, down, and back. The arch narrows, the palate elongates vertically, and the maxilla is restricted from expanding anteriorly and laterally. This maxillary restriction tightens sutures in the facial bones and causes tension to transmit through the cranium, resulting in postural changes and additional unwanted compensations throughout the musculoskeletal system.

Balanced breathing is achieved when inhalation and exhalation is performed through the nose with the lips sealed. In this position, the pressure coming from outside the teeth (lips & cheeks) matches the pressure from inside the teeth (tongue) and maintains an appropriate maxillary dental arch.

Coming full circle, it becomes clear that creating an oral environment in which normal nasal breathing is achieved and the ideal dental arch is maintained impacts development of appropriate dental structures, normalizes maxillary and mandibular growth patterns and creates a beautiful functional and aesthetic result—sans headgear!

Read our previous article with information on the causes of the Headgear Effect»

At Wholistic Chiropractic, we are happy to answer your questions. Call and find out what we can do for you.

In Health and Happiness,

Dr. Richard Gerardo

D.C., C.S.C.P., D.A.C.B.N.

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Growth Pattern Distortions Related to Orthodontic Headgear Placement.

Simply put, traditional orthodontics is structured on the premise that there are too many teeth (or teeth that are too large) for the mouth. Protocol in traditional orthodontics recommends the extraction of four bicuspids to reduce crowding and make space so that teeth can then be pulled together and straightened. Braces and headgear are utilized to achieve this effect, creating posterior pressure on the remaining six front teeth, maxilla and cranium.

As everyone who went through a “brace face” period of adolescence knows all too well, the primary goal of traditional orthodontics is alleged to be an attractive smile with straight teeth, along with an improvement in facial aesthetics. What we don’t often hear about however, are aesthetic issues created by headgear.

Few dental patients understand the role headgear may play in the patterns of growth and development of the cranial facial structures, as well as the rest of the body. Let’s investigate a primary concern regarding headgear placement known as “Cranial Facial Distortion” (CFD).

CFD is a term that applies to the alteration in the growth and development of the facial structures and musculoskeletal system. Dentists have termed CFD growth distortion patterns related to the placement of head-gear as the “Headgear Effect” or HGE.

HGE describes the downward and backward growth of the oral facial structures. The forces applied when using head-gear restrict or distort the growth patterns of the upper jaw and result in the following:

• Arrestment of the normal growth pattern
• Restriction of the arch width of the upper jaw
• Inhibition of proper growth of the cranial facial structures

Growth and advancement of the lower jaw is often restricted as well, resulting in a narrowing and elongation of the face.

S.O.T. (Sacro-Occipital Technique) uses a system of categories and indicators to systematically reduce the stresses, reactions and compensations that contribute to and worsen effects of HGE. The imbalanced forces on the cranium and mandible can be addressed using S.O.T. to lessen the imbalance and to allow the system to undistort, stabilize and destimulate the whole body so that it will heal.

How might we address these issues? Read here for more info addressing the Headgear Effect»

At Wholistic Chiropractic, we are happy to address any concerns you may have. Call for an appointment and find out what we can do for you.

In Health and Happiness,

Dr. Richard Gerardo

D.C., C.S.C.P., D.A.C.B.N.

The post The Headgear Effect appeared first on Richard C. Gerardo, D.C., C.S.C.P..

Balancing the cranial-sacral system using SOT cranial therapy (a system of adjusting patterns in the body rather than focusing solely on individual body parts), along with chiropractic spinal therapy, myofascial treatment, foot mechanics, postural corrections, nutrition and exercise all play an integral role in analysis and treatment.

Properly diagnosing the root cause of the patient’s symptoms and correctly prioritizing treatment aimed at a reduction in the fight or flight response allows the nervous system to calm down and release out of sympathetic overload. With this release, muscle tension decreases and improves posture, allowing the patient to experience relief from symptoms and finally break the cycle of tension, instability and pain.

Keep in mind that jaw clenching, tooth grinding, headaches of any type and/or facial tension may be red flags indicating a TMJ issue. If you’re plagued by any of these common symptoms and have not found effective, long-lasting relief, a global chiropractic approach may be exactly what your body is asking for.

In Health and Happiness,

Dr. Richard Gerardo, D.C.  C.S.C.P. & D.A.C.B.N

View Part 1 of this series Holistic TMJ Treatment – Part 1

View Part 2 of this series Holistic TMJ Treatment – Part 2

TMJ Diagnosis and Treatment – Burbank and Thousand Oaks, CA.

The post Holistic TMJ Treatment – Part 3. TMJ Diagnosis appeared first on Richard C. Gerardo, D.C., C.S.C.P..

The musculosteletal system is made up of the bones of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissue that support and attach tissues and organs. This system supports the body, allowing motion and protecting vital organs. As TMJ issues inherently involve the musculoskeletal system, treatment of TMJ issues necessarily requires a holistic approach.

Apart from garden-variety stress, any instability or injury to the musculoskeletal system can cause or contribute to tension, including clenching and/or grinding and muscle guarding (muscle guarding occurs when muscles are tensed in preparation for use). What may have begun as a simple injury or instability too often results in a painful cycle of tension, further instability and pain.

Any treatment approach which fails to take the entire system into account is by definition an incomplete approach that will yield few, if any, lasting results. To be truly effective and provide patient relief and healing, TMJ therapy must move from traditional symptom care to a global, holistic approach. Stress and tension must be addressed first to render the system receptive to any and all treatments. The jaw, the strongest muscle in the body, serves as both an important monitor for tension patterns in the human body and as an essential entry point onto the path of true health and wellness.

In Health and Happiness,

Dr. Richard Gerardo, D.C. C.S.C.P. & D.A.C.B.N

View Part 3 of this series Addressing TMJ Diagnosis & Treatment.

TMJ and the Musculoskeletal System – Thousand Oaks CA

The post Holistic TMJ Treatment – Part 2 appeared first on Richard C. Gerardo, D.C., C.S.C.P..

In our complex modern lives, we tend to overload our schedules, spend long hours in front of computer screens, skimp on nutritious meals and adequate sleep and run from appointment to appointment on our “time off.” Exhausting! This near-constant state of busyness and stress often results in facial tension, jaw pain and headaches, along with a whole host of nagging health issues. Many of these problems originate from an often unconscious habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth that impacts the temporomandibular joint.

The temporomandibular joint, commonly known as TMJ, serves as a monitor or sentinel for the postural system. This joint contains the most nerve receptors of any joint in the body. As a result, vital information relayed to and from the TMJ regarding chewing, speaking and swallowing, for example, has priority when it reaches the brain—and with good reason! These functions are obviously essential not only for optimal health, but for survival.

Tension in the TMJ, (including clenching and grinding), is part of the body’s fight or flight response, an integral function of the musculoskeletal system that is often over-activated in a stress response to our hectic lives. To break this cycle of stress including clenching and grinding, successful remediation starts by treating the whole system rather than simply focusing on individual symptoms.

Jaw clenching, tooth grinding, headaches of any type and/or facial tension may signifiy a TMJ issue. If you’ve experienced these symptoms and have not been able to find relief, a global approach may be the missing puzzle piece.

In Health and Happiness,

Dr. Richard Gerardo, D.C.  C.S.C.P. & D.A.C.B.N

View Part 2 of this series TMJ and the Musculoskeletal System.

TMJ Holistic Treatment – Burbank, Montrose and Thousand Oaks, California

The post Holistic TMJ Treatment – Part 1. What is TMJ? appeared first on Richard C. Gerardo, D.C., C.S.C.P..