Summary

Abstract

This book entitled “The Neurobiology of Orthodontics. Treatment of Malocclusion through Neuroplasticity” highlights the ability of the orofacial sensory input to modulate and change brain activity underlying the oral functions such as chewing, biting, speech, feedback and bone organization.

Orthodontic procedures stimulate the orofacial mechanosensory systems so that afferent nerves carrying information (action potentials) from the periodontal, periosteal, muscles, tendons, skin and oral mucosa receptors converge, through sensory pathways to dendritic spinous synapses of the corresponding neurons of the orofacial somatosensory cortex, where the information is pooled and integrated with the function of the motor cortex. The resulting motor output controls the contraction of the orofacial muscles. Bone remodeling is “tuned” to the precise frequencies of skeletal muscle activity dictated by the output of the motor cortex.

Thus the information processing model provides a new conceptualization of the etiology of malocclusions of teeth and the ability of the orthodontic practitioner to improve them through changes in the activity of the brain.