According to newer information and analysis, we now understand that upwards of eighty plus percent of our modern population has an underdeveloped upper jaw and midface when comparing to remote population groups that have an ancestral diet and no exposure to modern pollutants. Because of the strong biological drive to have the teeth couple to allow adequate chewing, the lower jaw must react to the underdeveloped upper jaw and thus becomes underdeveloped as well. In Dr. Buck's opinion, smaller jaws are a result of the compounding factors of a diet that is much softer than our predecessors, added to the lack of robust nasal breathing in children during the time when the face is growing rapidly roughly between ages 6-14 or so. These changes create an alteration in functional signaling to the jaws and affect their growth patterns. To initiate positive orthopedic changes, Dr. Buck uses a comfortable appliance that stimulates an area on the palate causing the entire midface including the upper jaw to remodel for adults.  The same appliance stimulates actual growth for children.

The lower jaw simultaneously follows the changes happening in the upper jaw, but is also stimulated gently and safely by an orthopedic approach. The path of change is in harmony with physiology and a more face forward direction. Once the new bone has been formed and the jaws are more fully developed, the following orthodontic phase can correctly straighten the teeth into all the newly developed bone provided by orthopedic stimulation. The result is straight teeth and more correctly sized and positioned jaws, which can make the face more beautiful; allow more room in the mouth for the tongue to position more properly, thus helping breathing; help the TM joints to become healthy ; and finally can help the upper cervical spine to attain more correct and stable form and balance. Dr. Buck believes you can have straight teeth, but ultimately more importantly profoundly healthy physiology of the jaws as well. You don’t have to choose one or the other, with the epigenetic approach you always get both! The result is your healthiest, happiest smile.