The OrthoSmile™ Newsletter

What's New on the Block?

Saturday, May 14, 2011

WHY SHOULD I USE THE HOMEOBLOCK™ APPLIANCE?

Using the Homeoblock™ appliance:

Intermittent light forces can be applied to the teeth that can remodel the dental alveolus and make more room to straighten teeth.

The frontomaxillary, nasomaxillary and zygomaticomaxillary sutures remain open up to the seventh and eighth decades of life.1
These sutures can be activated with intermittent force applied by biting on the bite block on the appliance resulting in midface development.

The bite block provides the opportunity to bring the tongue upward and forward through the teeth to the lips. This is the best possible way to open the airway for maximum airflow.

The following is a case study that has been successful in treating the patient's headaches and daytime fatigue in just one month:


Compromised airway shows inflammation


AP airway 3.6 mm. should be 16mm


Short face and retruded maxilla


Hyoid below the 3rd cervical vertebrae, cervical spine in extension



Frankfort Plane


Head position in extension. The Frankfort plane should be parallel to the floor.

Note: His head position in extension for survival.
Bringing the jaw forward is not good enough to open this patient's airway.

Getting the tongue out of the mouth is more effective.

The patient was given tongue and breathing exercises along with the Homeoblock™ appliance.

He was instructed to raise the headboard of his bed 3 inches. Raising the headboard helps to prevent the gastric juices backing up into throat when negative pressure is present in the airway.

In one months time he reported considerable improvement in daytime fatigue and no more headaches.

The following demonstrates airway changes bringing the tongue forward through the teeth to the lips.


References

Rice D.P., Craniofacial sutures; development disease and treatment. Frontiers of Oral Biology 2010 (12)