“I find the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have” Thomas Jefferson.

Correction of skeletal discrepancies is an important component of orthodontics/orthopedics. Some of our lucky patients are born with the correct maxillary to mandibular skeletal relationship. However, by far the majority of our patients are born with any combination of skeletal unbalances. It is my job as a clinician and diagnostician to determine the best methodology to correct their skeletal mismatch. Sometimes this involves correcting the upper jaw size and position, sometimes treatment involves correcting the lower jaw size and/or position. Often times it is a combination of both.
The fallacy that braces or clear liners will correct all these skeletal malrelations is preposterous. Our faces are unique and the treatment of orthodontics and orthopedics should be correspondingly unique for each patient. Skeletal and dental relations should be improved for maximum aesthetics as well as functional airways and temporomandibular health.

Sincerely,
Michael W. Dagostino, DDS.