Orthodonics
And Brain Therapy
© 2005 Dr. Barry R. Gillespie
At some point in your career a child client, who is presenting
with a treatable chronic condition, will be wearing braces.
You will need to know as a massage therapist
that the type of orthodontic work being done can be a critical
factor in your treatment of that child. This article will
explore the avenue of orthodontic care in relation to our
Brain Therapy work.
Orthodontics In A Perfect World
In a perfect world if I had a child starting orthodontics,
I would want the brain to have a beautiful, long cycle with
very relaxed, surrounding fascial and muscle tissue. All orthodontic
procedures would ideally be done within the framework of creating
and reinforcing the best physiological motion and function
of my child’s brain.
I would request that functional appliances do the job, so
as not to disturb that beautiful brain motion. In essence,
I would be looking for a brain friendly orthodontist. That
can be a challenge in today’s society!
Orthodontics In The Real World
A more typical story is that of a child who may have had
a difficult birth delivery and many childhood traumas that
were unrecognized and untreated.
By the time the orthodontist starts, there may already be
significant brain restriction and muscle and facial tightness
in the craniosacral dental area. The orthodontist may also
suggest the extraction of four premolar teeth to make more
room for the present crowded teeth.
When all of the remaining teeth are banded and an arch wire
placed and tightened, this therapy can severely restrict any
existing brain motion.
When you palpate the head for motion, you may feel nothing.
An arch wire is a wire going around the entire maxillary
arch inside the bands tying all of the teeth (and unfortunately
the two maxillary bones) together.
As an adjunct, the orthodontist may recommend a headgear
device. This can squeeze the head like a vise and even further
restrict the motion of the brain. This apparatus and
the four premolar extractions should be avoided, if at all
possible. For an excellent real life story, please
see Brendan's
Story.
Brain-Friendly Orthodontists
A brain friendly orthodontist would want to start therapy
when the child is structurally healthy and not create a problem
with the brain’s physiology. A good website to check
out for a local referral is www.aafo.org.
These dentists use minimal banding and arch wiring and instead
primarily use removable appliances such as Crozats and Bionators.
Problems From Orthodontics
The whole idea in orthodontics is to work within the framework
of the craniosacral fascial mechanism and not disturb the
physiology of the brain.
All too often the child presents with no conditions, and
soon after the braces are put on, conditions start.
- A sinus problem can develop into sinus
headaches.
- Asthma can be triggered along with earaches
and/or neck pain.
- Because the motion of the brain is so restricted, the
child’s grades can do down uncharacteristically
in school.
- He can lose energy, be looked at as “lazy,”
and change personality.
Physiologically, the orthodontic care is restricting the
normal internal and external rotation of the maxillary bones.
These bones, in turn, restrict the motion of the adjacent
vomer and perpendicular plate of the ethmoid.
In a domino cranial effect the sphenoid,
occiput, and sacrum can also become tight. The entire craniosacral
mechanism is affected adversely. I can try to do all the craniosacral
therapy in the world for these children without success.
Until the orthodontist relieves that imposed mechanical
restriction, any successful result can be fleeting.
More Problems
Even worse, every 4-6 weeks the arch wire is tightened again,
and the central nervous system stays continually restricted.
The bottom line is that for two to three years the child can
be living with a tight brain. These children can feel miserable,
and nobody will have any idea what the problem is.
To top it off, at the end of care many orthodontists will
make a maxillary retainer. This appliance snaps on to the
upper jaw so that it will not fall down into the mouth. It
is usually worn at night so that the teeth will not shift
back to their original position.
Because it fits so snuggly, this appliance can continue
to restrict the motion of the brain. Healthcare professionals
should be aware of all these orthodontic scenarios because
they are happening every day in the real world to our young
clients.
The Key To Preventative Orthodontic Treatment
The real key for preventative orthodontic treatment is to
check the size of the child’s palate when she is five
or six.
A narrow, high-vaulted palate could spell trouble later where
there will not be enough room for all of the adult teeth.
At this time in the child’s life during the facial
growth stages, the parent should consider having the orthodontist
widen the palate with a functional appliance.
Sometimes, if there is a gross facial distortion between
the upper and lower jaws, the orthodontist may suggest maxilla
facial surgery before orthodontic care. From where I am sitting,
I would strongly suggest finding another orthodontist who
can straighten the child’s teeth non-surgically.
Be AWARE!
Physiologically, orthodontics can be a necessity and a very
good thing for a child.
The point of this article is to bring awareness to you to
co-ordinate your Brain Therapy with the orthodontist –
to get everyone on the same page. And the big stumbling block
is that dentists (myself included) never learned in dental
school that the brain moved or that its slight motion would
be so important.
The key for us as healthcare professionals is to
first educate the parents and then the orthodontists and
all dentists to practice in a brain friendly manner.
If you are evaluating a child who is having a problem midway
through treatment, you may request to the parents that the
arch wire be removed. You may have to co-ordinate your care
with the orthodontist. Now the maxillary bones will be free
and you can continue your therapy to open the brain.
If the child responds positively to therapy, we know that
the arch wire was the problem. The orthodontist can now modify
her care to be brain friendly and finish with a great result
for the child.
We as Brain Therapists need to be patient and then educate
other healthcare providers about our world. Most orthodontists
are very gracious and want to do the right thing for their
patients.
Just like I had no clue when I graduated from periodontal
school in 1975, they just do not know about the critical importance
of brain motion. When we show them the way, everyone will
benefit. It is a beautiful thing when we all work together.
See
more articles about the role of Brain Therapy in correcting
chronic conditions in children and adults .
. .
For
more information about the "Brain Therapy for Children
and Adults" seminar for health professionals
. . .
