The International Association of Facial Growth Guidance (Orthotropics®)
Chairman – Dr Gene Bonofiglo.
POSITIONAL STATEMENT 1995.This association represents all those clinicians and technicians who believe
that ideal development of the face and jaws is dependent on correct 'oral
posture'. Correct posture should be with the tongue resting against the palate,
with the lips sealed and the teeth in or near contact. We are committed to
improving unattractive faces and crowded teeth by guiding the growth of the
jaws horizontally while the patient is young, by means of appliances (Facial
Orthotropics), supported by postural training of the tongue, lips and cheeks
(Oral Myology).
Most children start out with attractive faces but if they leave their mouths
open, their face will grow vertically and they are likely to develop into
unattractive teenagers with long faces, flat cheeks, prominent noses, and
protruding front teeth. Alternatively they may have the common habit of resting
the tongue between the teeth and sucking against them when swallowing. This
will cause the teeth to tilt inwards and crowd, making the middle of the
face to look concave. Many types of treatment will straighten teeth but most
tend to pull them back, necessitating extractions and further reducing room
for the tongue. Orthotropists believe that this is detrimental to facial
development and that ideal facial growth together with permanent straightening
of all the teeth can only be achieved if room is provided for the tongue
and the patient is taught to keep their mouth closed and swallow correctly.
The next international symposium is planned for Autumn/Fall 2000 in California,
USA (Contact Dr Hang: +1-805-374-9377). Subsequent annual meetings will be
held in Tokyo Japan in 2001 (contact Dr Kitafusa). The association can provide
details of other meetings, seminas, etc.
For further information contact: The president, Dr Bonofiglo, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, USA. Fax 1-616-538-5353 or
The London School of Facial Orthotropics, England. Fax 44-143-586-2445. E-mail: john.mew@virgin.net.