At What Age Should We Begin Orthodontic Treatment? (w/Dr. Marianna Evans) [Ep.119]

Don’t miss this AMAZING conversation with Dr. Marianna Evans!  As a dual-trained orthodontist/periodontist and expert in anthropology, she offers a unique perspective on the etiology of malocclusion, the periodontal consequences of the traditional approach to orthodontic treatment, and the numerous benefits of initiating orthodontic treatment in younger children.  She is also very knowledgeable about how airway patency impacts craniofacial growth and development and is passionate about the role the orthodontist can and should play in airway management.  Dr. Evans and I discuss:Why and how she decided to open her own practice from scratch in 2011, and how it’s going now.Her educational background, including why she decided to obtain degrees in both orthodontics and periodontics, and how it has helped her be a better orthodontist.How she developed an interest in, and eventually a passion for, anthropology by studying the Morton Skull Collection while at UPenn.The problem with using transverse norms based on post-industrial skulls.Why humans today can no longer accommodate 32 teeth, and why that is a bigger problem than we may realize.How diet and obstructed nasal breathing are turning malocclusion into a pandemic.The role of the orthodontist’s ego in the prevention of the advancement of our profession.Marianna’s advice to residents and young docs regarding questioning what they learn in their orthodontic residency.What the research says about providing orthodontic treatment to patients in the primary dentition.How the refusal of orthodontists to treat patients at a younger age will lead to the death of our specialty.The thinning of the alveolar bone that inevitably occurs during all orthodontic tooth movement.Why we should be more focused on developing the jaws in the primary dentition to allow the teeth to erupt into the center of the ridge.The need for orthodontists to look at their cases 20 years after treatment, and how that could change their perspective.The numerous flaws with the literature stating that early treatment is not effective.How to communicate to parents that their young child is in need of orthodontic treatment.Why we should be referring to the orthodontic treatment of younger patients as “preventative,” not “early.”The story of how she got connected with James Nestor and what it was like to be featured in his bestselling book, Breath.And much, much more!!LINKS:-Airway Palooza 2025: An upcoming conference focused on airway health, with a special $500 discount code for listeners (DOCPALOOZA) - https://airwayhealthsolutions.com/palooza-Email Dr. Evans: [email protected] -Email Dr. Mike:  [email protected] by James Nestor: https://a.co/d/1JGxJa8