will continue to ensure that relapse does not follow this initially-successful outcome. Indeed, the patient continues to wear the upper DNA appliance passively at night-time only; not as a retainer per se but as an ‘anti-aging device’ to prevent vertical drift of the face that occurs with age. In summary, advances in technol-ogy and molecular science provide new approaches to orthodontic care in the 21st century for both adults and children. Molecular biology and molecular genetics have allowed human craniofacial growth and development to be studied and understood in ways that were not available previously. Thus, informa-tion on how natural developmental processes can be harnessed for clini-cal orthodontic correction is begin-ning to emerge. By understanding and appreciating developmental mechanisms and the sites and modes of tissue interactions, the natural processes of jaw growth and tooth movement can be mimicked for the benefit of the orthodontic Fig. 6 patient. This particular case was treated with a DNA appliance because diagnostic clinical facial features highlighted a need for midfacial development. However, rather than conventional mechanics, the utilization of craniofacial growth and developmental processes was envisaged, using orthodontic wire for signal transduction. 19 Indeed, discernible changes were noted in the face, jaws and teeth. We believe these changes equate to an increased level of craniofacial homeostasis, in accord with the Spatial Matrix Hypothesis. 20-21 These early results abide by principles under the novel concept of biomimetic orthodontic correction, which takes craniofacial growth and epigenetics into account for orthodontic corrections associ-ated with an enhanced level of cran-iofacial homeostasis. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: We would like to thank oral myofunc-tional therapist Natalie Mack, RDA, for providing oral myofunc-tional therapy in this case. We would also like to thank Space Maintainers Laboratory, Canada) for fabricating the DNA appliance prescribed in this case. www.orthodontics.com July/August 2013 33
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society July-August 2013 Buyer's Guide: Page 33
