Paradigm Shift in Orthodontics:
Introduction to Health Centered Functional Orthodontics
by Gabor Hermann
DMD, Orthodontist
Abstract
Orthodontic specialty is the oldest specialty of dentistry. Although over its 120 years of existence there have been some debates over its relationship to the human body, ultimately the profession remained at its 3 main fundamental pillars.
- The etiology of malocclusion is mainly genetical
- Malocclusion is a limited phenomenon to the stomatognathic system and it has no relationship to orofacial and body functions and body structures
- Still, it is widely believed that malocclusion is a pathology and has to be treated because malocclusion is the cause of some potential consequences.
However, over these 120 years there have been many changes in genetics, basic sciences and medical law, medical ethics that can potentially influence the tenets of the orthodontic profession. In addition to this, although over this period of time there have been some advances in evidence based orthodontics, the most important aspect of why and when should we treat our patients, these 3 aspects remained unsupported.
This presentation will introduce those changes that will support the need to introduce new definitions and terminology in contemporary orthodontics.