Jan Zedric H.

Robles,DMD
MSD Orthodontics

Craniocervical Posture and Trigeminal Nerve Mechanosensitivity in subjects with a History of Orthodontic Use: A
cross-sectional study.
Heredia-Rizo AM, et al. Cranio. 2013

The journal is about the effects of orthodontics treatment on the posture of the head
which can affect the mechanosensitivity of the trigeminal nerve in all of its branches with different
levels. Before taking my MSD orthodontics post graduate studies, I thought that trigeminal nerve has
nothing to do with Orthodontics; I though that its only relevant to oral surgery. This journal made me
realized that Orthodontics has a big impact to the trigeminal nerve as it can help in treating trigeminal
problems like neuralgia, oversensitivity, etc. Truly, this journal is an eye-opener.

While orthodontic lectures and conferences focus only on the profile and malocclusion,
a careful reading some articles and journals would likewise suggest that there have been studies
between trigeminal nerve and orthodontics since 1945. This only proves that orthodontics has effect on
the trigeminal nerve. In line with this, I can only hope that there will be more studies that can be
correlated with orthodontics. Verily, this would lead to a better orthodontic practice in the Philippines.
Indeed, as the aphorism goes, Future is Now. As things stand now, technological innovations in
dentistry that is available in the practice, like the CBCT, really helps orthodontists in treating or
avoiding trigeminal problems since it uses 3D images to help an Orthodontist while doing an intrusion
so as not to hit or affect a nerve.

Therefore, I conclude that Trigeminal Nerve should not be taken for granted. Dentists
specially those who are Specialist in the field of Orthodontics should give this utmost importance
because it may greatly affect once treatment, specially, if it would be considered during consultation
and treatment planning of every patient.