EC Dental Science

In 1938 when X-rays were first used to assess skeletal changes during orthodontic treatment an orthodontist called Brodie used the X-rays taken by Downs to assess the skeletal changes during treatment. He found that moving the teeth had little effect on the basal skeleton and concluded "The most startling find was the apparent inability to alter anything beyond the alveolar process" [1].

This has directed orthodontic treatment ever since and current treatment is largely mechanical and surgical with the objective of aligning the teeth perfectly. Back in the 1970’s I studied the X-rays shown in various orthodontic journals, and found there was a slight but constant tendency for the jaws to be taken back and down, in a proportion of cases this movement was quite large.

1. Brodie AG., et al. "Cephalometric appraisal of orthodontic results - a preliminary report". The Angle Orthodontist4 (1938): 261-351.
2. Horowitz EP., et al. "Cephalometric study of craniofacial variations in adult twins". Angle Orthodontist1 (1960): 1-5.