title: Epigenetic orthodontics: facial and airway development.
abstract: It is the purpose of this article to introduce a functional orthopedic/orthodontic appliance, the Homeoblock (Figure 1), which, when worn at night (3 p.m. to 8 a.m.), alters oral function and produces a gene environmental interaction that results in an epigenetic response, namely, the expression of unexpressed genes in adult patients. The results of the case studies presented are evaluated using state-of-the-art, three-dimensional technologies: cone beam computerized tomography combined with Dolphin and Analyze 10.0 software (Mayo Clinic). The results, in so-called non-growing adult patients, can only be attributed to gene expression.
authors.affiliation: OrthoSmile, Inc., Catskill, NY, USA. Belfor2@MHCable.com
authors.forename: Theodore R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Belfor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods*; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000628:therapy; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D010614:Pharynx / Q000254:growth & development; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000628:therapy; D012984:Software