How much is attributed to nature? This is called genetics. How much is attributed to nurture? This is known as epigenetics, the environment. Dr. Mark A. Cruz posed these questions to a room of doctors of multiple disciplines during a session of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency he co-developed. He then highlighted the history of DNA. In 1953, two scientists were sipping on local ales before they announced the “secret of life” – DNA. Ten years later, the genetic code was discovered. DNA technology became a reality in 1970s. The first biotech company was established in 1977, which was eventually … Read Full Article
The environment can have adverse effects on craniofacial growth and development, resulting in airway dysfunction – how we breathe during the day and how we breathe at night. To illustrate this point, Dr. Mark A. Cruz explained the changes in infant feeding that have occurred in most Western societies. He included the information in a presentation about ontogeny and craniofacial development at the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency he co-developed. Breast and bottle feeding have different effects on facial development. Breastfeeding strengthens the muscles and actually grows the nasal maxillary complex forward, expanding the palate (ceiling of the mouth). This allows … Read Full Article
Homo sapiens have developed with certain competencies. When the environment changes, certain stressors are created. This challenges human physiology. Then, physiology has no choice but to react to those compensations. Unfortunately, many of the compensations have secondary compromises. There is a vicious circle that can happen due to the compromises that occur. They create additional stressors. Competencies and stressors were among the topics Dana Point dentist Dr. Mark A. Cruz and Dr. Barry Raphael, orthodontist from New Jersey, addressed at the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency. Dr. Raphael highlighted how major environmental factors have placed a significant amount of pressure on … Read Full Article
Dana Point dentist Dr. Mark A. Cruz and orthodontist Dr. Barry Raphael have collaborated in various capacities. Committed to educating their peers about the role of the airway in dentistry, the doctors developed an Airway and Facial Development video series. They have completed over 40 episodes, inviting doctors from multiple disciplines to join the discussion. Drs. Cruz and Raphael are also founders of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency, held on the East and West coasts. They developed a Venn diagram that highlights the airway and facial development cycle. Dr. Raphael explained the first circle of the diagram titled “Evolution and … Read Full Article
Nasal breathing is a natural competence, our ability to do something successfully or efficiently. When we cannot breathe through our noses, we may open our mouths. This is called a compensation, the attempt to make up for a deficiency. Nasal breathing will lead to wide palates and good bone growth, with ample airway. However, the compensation of mouth breathing often leads to narrow palates and smaller airways. Nasal breathing was one of the examples of compensations that orthodontist, Dr. Barry Raphael, shared at an Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency session. The mini-residency was developed by Dr. Raphael and Dr. Mark A. … Read Full Article
Non-communicable diseases in dentistry and medicine include sleep apnea, malocclusion, and caries. Dr. Mark A. Cruz, a Dana Point dentist, and his colleague, Dr. Barry Raphael, are committed to taking a closer look at the root causes of these diseases to help in diagnosing and treating patients effectively. Dr. Raphael is an orthodontist in New Jersey who has 33 years of experience in treating patients with a variety of dental and orthodontic concerns. Dr. Cruz and Dr. Raphael developed the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency to educate doctors from multiple disciplines about the significant role the airway plays in dentistry. Dr. … Read Full Article
Compromises to the human airway can manifest in the way we eat, drink, and sleep. Dr. Barry Raphael, an orthodontist with 33 years of experience, discussed these compromises in a session of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency. The course was co-developed by Dr. Raphael and Dana Point dentist, Dr. Mark A. Cruz. Compromises include: Craniofacial dystrophy The problem of obstructed airways in not only limited to adults with sleep apnea, Dr. Raphael explained. When a patient suffers from craniofacial dystrophy, the maxilla is down and back, the mandible is retrognathic, and there is insufficient facial support. The nasal cartilage can … Read Full Article
Five hundred years ago, caries, malocclusion, and sleep apnea were rare. The prehistoric skull had enough room for wisdom teeth, as well as space behind them. Various stressors led to difficulties in the way humans breathe, how the face grows, ability to fight infection, the way humans sleep, and neurocognitive problems. Dr. Barry Raphael, an orthodontist in New Jersey, addressed compromises to the human airway during a session of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency. It was co-developed by Dr. Raphael and Dr. Mark A. Cruz, a Dana Point dentist, to educate doctors from various disciplines about the critical role the … Read Full Article
Many health conditions can compromise the human airway. Dr. Barry Raphael, an orthodontist with 33 years of experience, discussed hypocapnia and breathing disordered sleep in a session of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency. The course was co-developed by Dr. Raphael and Dana Point dentist, Dr. Mark A. Cruz. Hypocapnia Think of the body as a bottle of soda, filled with carbon dioxide in the blood. Carbon dioxide gives a person a certain amount of “fizz.” Imagine if the bottle of soda was left open overnight. It becomes flat. Likewise, when a person leaves his or her mouth open all night, … Read Full Article
When the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing cessation of breathing, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) occurs. Dr. Bertrand De Silva discussed OSAS at a session of the Airway Focused Dentistry Mini-Residency. The course was co-developed by Dana Point dentist, Dr. Mark A. Cruz. Dr. De Silva is Diplomate of the American Boards of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine & Sleep Medicine and medical director of the Sleep Center at St. Jude in Fullerton, Calif. As an Intensive Care Unit doctor, he has 50 beds in the ICU. Of all the patients in the ICU, he said … Read Full Article
