FACE – Foundation for Airway and Craniofacial Excellence
FACE was founded by Julia Worrall, RN, CCRN in Toronto, Canada. Julia was a long-time critical care nurse who, for the past several years, has dedicated herself to learning as much as she can about how craniofacial structures affect airway and neurological function. She was brought to my attention by Michelle McManus, a dystonia patient whose symptoms have been mostly alleviated by a combination of orthodontic appliances and body therapy. Michelle is the founder of the Facebook forum ” Dystonia, TMJ and the connection”. This collaborative approach to treatment has also proved beneficial in treating conditions such as Tourette’s and Parkinsons.
See. http://www.facemedicine.org and http://www.sleepandtmjtherapy.com
Summer issue of Cranio U.K
The journal for the British Society for the Study of Cranio-Mandibular Disorders. Please email if you would like a digital copy.
New video by Dr Derek Mahony
This is a short video aimed at informing parents of the need to establish:
Good lip seal
Nasal Breathing
Correct Tongue posture
at an early age in order to maintain normal facial growth.
King’s Dental Institute, Guy’s Hospital. 8 May 2017
My third presentation to final year dental students by kind invitation of the Interim Executive Dean and Director of the Sleep Disorders Clinic at Guy’s Campus, Professor Mark Woolford, ” Exploring the Wider Role of Dentistry – The Effect of Jaw Problems on the Rest of the Body.” Two sections: Airway & Sleep Disorders, Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction and Posture. (ii) Movement Disorders.
The advantage of early correction using appliances such as the Biobloc, ALF ( Advanced Lightwire Functional), BWS (Bent Wire System) and Myobraces was also covered.
Osteopathic Centre for Children, London, SW18 7 May 2017 9th visit
My 9th presentation to postgraduate osteopaths in their final year of studying at the OCC.
“Exploring the Wider Role of Dentistry – The Effect of Jaw Problems on the Rest of the Body.” Two sections: Airway & Sleep Disorders, Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction and Posture. (ii) Movement Disorders.
The advantage of early correction using appliances such as the Biobloc, ALF ( Advanced Lightwire Functional), BWS (Bent Wire System) and Myobraces was also covered. Invited back for next year.Invited back for next year.
Interview with Dr Won Moon,
Programme director, UCLA School of Dentistry, section of Orthodontics
Dr Moon discusses the teaching philosophy at UCLA and makes some interesting observations about cephalometrics.
Myobrace Introductory Course, 3 March, 2017, 1.00-6.00pm, the Thistle Hyde Park hotel, London.
This 30 minute presentation was an introduction into functional therapy.The aim was to stress the following points:
- Nearly all malocclusions have an under-developed upper jaw.
- Class II cases have a retrognathic upper and lower jaws.
- Children who mouth breathe are running on sub-standard fuel.
- 80% of facial growth is complete by the age of 8 so treating in the mixed dentition is the optimal timing.
Treatment aims are to correct bone and muscle imbalance, establish nasal breathing and then align the teeth.
The undergraduate dental programme covers anatomy & physiology in considerable detail. However, as the course continues the focus is on the oral cavity and the technical side of dentistry. Being able to recognise early signs of imbalance ( mouth breathing, bones, muscle, growth etc.) enables treatment to be initiated before real problems arise. The Myobrace system is designed to address early imbalances with the aim of restoring optimal health in the growing child.
Niels van der Valk continued the session with an overview of the Myobrace system and demonstrated how to recognise incorrect features which may result in the development of malocclusion ie: incorrect swallowing patterns, mouth breathing and poor posture.
For more information refer to the starred links on the Blogroll. Also Airway and TMJ – YouTube.
