roth technique

The Functional Occlusion Approach to Orthodontics

Most traditional orthodontic treatment has not looked at functional occlusion (how the teeth fit and function together) as a basis for establishing criteria for a treatment goal, or for diagnosing problems with the patient's functional bite. The patient's functional occlusion and lower jaw position must be evaluated thoroughly before treatment is initiated to ensure that biting forces are distributed properly for the health of the teeth, gums, bones, and TMJs, as well as for the stability of teeth positions. The ROTH FUNCTIONAL ORTHODONTIC TECHNIQUE is a philosophy designed to evaluate in much greater detail the true pre-treatment position of the lower jaw and functional occlusion.

articulator

Articulator-Mounted Study Models

  • The ONLY diagnostic tool capable of determining the patient's "true" functional bite
  • Need several specific jaw registration recordings
  • Can simulate patient's actual jaw movements
  • Critical for determining where to move teeth to establish the "true" functional bite
  • Fewer than 10% of orthodontists use this extra diagnostic aid in treatment planning

Computer-aided diagnostic treatment plans

  • Digitized dental and skeletal landmarks (Figure 1)
  • Computer runs analyses to evaluate dental and skeletal discrepancies
    (Figure 2)
  • Computer can project future growth based upon gender and age (Figure 3)
  • Computer then predicts treatment outcome based upon Dr. Leiker's treatment goals and projected growth
  • Treatment alternatives can be evaluated
  • Fewer than 33% of orthodontists today do this additional evaluation!
ceph tracing ceph tracing ceph tracing

Why is this important?

The Roth Technique emphasizes treating the "true" jaw position because the bite in the mouth can be misleading as one can see from the illustrations below. In Figure A, the teeth fit well in the mouth when biting together, but the jaw (TMJ) has to deviate to allow this to happen. This is accomplished due to muscular programming, which is where the nerves innervating the teeth and gums send signals to the muscles as to where more teeth come into contact. This is a safety feature for the teeth because the more teeth that contact when biting the less force exerted per tooth. The problem is that the deviated TMJ can lead to muscular hypertension, TMJ headaches, grinding of teeth at night, unstable tooth positions, bone loss, etc.

fig A

In Figure B, the jaw (TMJ) is now positioned in the proper "true" position, but the teeth do not fit anymore. This leads to strong biting contacts on the back teeth which can lead to trauma such as bone loss around the back teeth, loose teeth, cracked teeth, or eventually tooth loss.

fig. B

Dr. Leiker utilizes the extra diagnostic procedures mentioned earlier to determine the "true" jaw position before initiating orthodontic therapy. This way, the teeth and jaws can be moved to a position that is good for both the bite in the mouth, as well as for the jaws (TMJs). Overall, this leads to a healthier environment for the teeth, gums, supporting bones, and jaws (TMJs).

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