Dentosophie,
functional orthodontics
Video 'Airway and TMJ', by Dr Derek Mahony
Functional therapy is more than a dental correction,
it is a process of development
The position of our teeth reflects our whole being. It is the result of the stresses of our birth, the imprint of our ancestors and family, our eating habits, the health of our organs, our stress management and the drive we put into life.
A beautiful smile is not just about straight teeth, it's also about the energy we give off.
To have a beautiful smile, we need to be free of all our negative impressions and burdens, and only then is lasting correction possible.
This is one of the therapies I can offer you.
Dentosophie, its discovery, applications and therapy
History
The activator was developed in 1960 by two French orthodontists. As activator therapy was not lucrative enough, it received little attention and fell into oblivion.
It was rediscovered in France 25 years ago and dentosophie, a philosophy of global positioning of the teeth, developed from there.
Michel Montaud, one of the founders of dentosophie, is a dentist who, very early in his career, became dissatisfied with the conventional way of working and questioned what he had learned.
Why, in our western world, does almost everyone have a dental malocclusion?
Why is it that, after conventional braces have been removed, malpositioned teeth return in 2/3 of cases? To avoid this, the teeth are fixed with a metal wire after correction. Why do patients react to this permanent fixing with scoliosis, migraines, sleep disturbances and behavioural problems?
Is it really possible that our mouths don't have enough room for all our teeth and that healthy teeth have to be removed, when nature is so adaptable and so often perfect?
Why do we have cavities when some indigenous peoples, who never brush their teeth, have perfect teeth?
Approach and impact
In all good conscience, Michel Montaud could no longer work in the conventional way.
He discovered the activator and began working, researching and distributing it.
His enthusiasm spread and more and more people are now able to develop thanks to this holistic dentosophy.
With 25 years' experience, he has highlighted the links between the psycho-emotional state of the individual and the position of the teeth.
Our dental position is a reflection of us as a whole. It is the result of the stresses of our birth, the imprint of our ancestors and our family, our eating habits, the state of health of our organs, our stress management and our determination in life. Teeth show the agreement or disagreement between who we are and who we should be. It shows the separation between our body, our mind and our soul. The more the society in which we live allows for this harmony (as is the case for some indigenous peoples), the more perfect our teeth and dentition are.
By wearing an activator, a process is set in motion. Each tooth is encouraged to move and the corresponding tension is invited to release, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously.
Slowly, the person becomes harmonised and the position of the teeth is corrected.
The functional correction of teeth is a journey towards beauty
The correction takes place at an emotional, social and physical level. Energy and the will to live return, and many of the body's aches and dysfunctions disappear.
Thanks to the activator, the jaw corrects itself, leaving more room for nasal airflow, the size of our throat normalises, we sleep more calmly and our immune system is strengthened.
We also learn to position our tongue correctly, which stimulates our pituitary gland each time we swallow. The pituitary is responsible for regulating numerous hormones and glands, including the thyroid and endorphins (relaxation hormones).
The activator distributes pressure evenly over all the teeth, stimulating blood circulation and the nerve connection with our brain, so that each tooth becomes healthier and its position changes.
A beautiful smile is not just about straight teeth, it's also about the energy we radiate.
To achieve a beautiful smile and lasting correction, we need to be free of all our imprints and negative charges.
Dentosophie has proved its worth in the following areas, among others :
- Sleep disorders
- Snoring
- Sleep apnoea
- Teeth grinding
- Nightmares, night terrors
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint and back pain
- Scoliosis
- Jaw joint problems
- Headaches, migraines
- Hormonal problems
- Lack of self-confidence
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Attention disorders
- Concentration problems
- Behavioural problems
- Eating disorders
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Asthma
- Otorhinolaryngological disorders
Respiratory and dysfunctional disorders
Ideally, people breathe through their nose. This optimises air quality and oxygenates the blood better. The mouth is closed, the teeth are in close contact with each other and the tongue is placed at the top of the palate. Nasal breathing is optimal for craniofacial development, tooth position and general health.
During mouth breathing, the lips are opened, the tongue descends and an incorrect swallowing pattern (called visceral swallowing pattern) is created.
These dysfunctional patterns are collectively known as myofunctional habitus. They modify the forces acting on the teeth and jaws, resulting in a multitude of dysgnathias. This effect is particularly pronounced during periods of active facial growth.
Temporomandibular joint diseases With each visceral swallow, the lower lip presses against the lower jaw, pushing the condyles up and back into the cavities of the temporomandibular joint. This displaces the disc and compresses the bilaminar region. Inadequate jaw growth can also lead to a compensatory change in head position to allow unimpeded breathing. This contributes to tension and inflammation in the muscles of the head, neck and back.
If this problem is not treated in childhood, a symptom known as craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) develops in adulthood.
Since most dental and orthodontic practices are unaware of this relationship, there is little effective therapy available to those affected. Sleep and breathing disorders Breathing through the mouth is medically recognised as a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing (SBAS, Symptom Breathing Airway Syndrome), which includes snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome) and also obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome). Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is characterised by repeated obstruction of the upper airways, preventing the people concerned from breathing while they sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing is linked to many health problems in children, such as restless sleep, anxiety, hyperactivity, bedwetting and many others.
Adults with untreated sleep-disordered breathing are at greater risk of excessive fatigue, cardiovascular disease, psychological problems and many other disorders. There is also a link between sleep-disordered breathing and dental problems such as bruxism, tooth decay and periodontitis.
SOURCE: 1. Bonuck, K. et al. Pediatrics. 2012; Apr;129(4): e857-65. 2. Angle, E
A good video providing a pictorial summary that is easy to understand https://youtu.be/PVxlL_lMces
Therapy
The therapy consists of osteopathic treatment at regular intervals, supported by the use of a night splint. This device corrects the position of the tongue, teeth and temporomandibular joints to their physiological position, so that the mouth can regain its functional characteristics. Active exercises are taught for conscious correction.
This therapy enables the mouth, jaw and skull to free themselves of tension, both in childhood and adulthood. This corrects the position of teeth, stress and the lack of oxygen from which 70% of adults suffer. A well-oxygenated brain produces more endorphins, leading to greater relaxation. This therapy leads to rest and a state of well-being for the brain and the whole body.
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Activator,
silicone dental splint |
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