QUESTIONING By Chris Farrell BDS, CEO & Founder of Myofunctional Research Co. ORTHODONTICS: Is It Just a Mechanical Makeover of a Biological Problem? E dward Angle, the man who is considered the father of modern orthodontics, initially estab-lished the doctrines of the orthodontic profes-sion in the early 20th century. One hundred years later, with the incidence of malocclusion in modern children approaching 100 percent and demand among adults for re-treatment following relapsed earlier treatment on the rise, orthodontic specialists should expect a brighter future. However, as the orthodontic profession passes its 100th anniver-sary, there are reasons to pause and reflect on the basis of those principles and doctrines established by Angle, a century ago. Although technology has made the mechanics of orthodontics easier for practitioners and treatment more accessible to patients, increasing demand has encouraged non-specialists to become involved. This has also given rise to increasing concerns regarding techniques where the anterior teeth are straightened rapidly then fixed in place via permanent retention, ignoring Angle’s dogma of correcting to a Class I (Molar relationship). Some groups like the Australian Society of Orthodontists have expressed their view on their website involving short courses with quick results. “The ASO regularly reviews orthodontic courses in the market and to date has not seen any short course that trains a dentist to safely put on fixed appliances or carry out complex orthodontic work.” 1 A further cause for concern is that during the past 100 years, despite technological advances improving the mechanics of orthodontic practice, no scientific evidence has been produced to corroborate Angle’s orig-16 Winter 2017 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Winter 2017: Page 16
