In Her Own Words
— ALF Patient


See also: ALF System vs. Rapid Palatal Expanders (RPE)














The ALF System Raises the Bar on Orthopedic/Orthodontic Excellence

By Gerald H. Smith, DDS, DNM

In 1888, during a lecture to the Iowa State Dental Society on his "system of orthodontia," Edward H. Angle, the "Father of orthodontia", demonstrated for the first time the expansion arch and its auxiliaries. From its inception Dr. Angle's paradigm of orthodontia focused purely on mechanical concepts to correct misaligned teeth and narrow arches. Since 1888, the technology in orthodontia has gone down a rabbit hole of perfecting better appliances, brackets, archwires, mathematical analyses in the format of cephalometrics and other equations. For 126 years the established institutions have failed to connect the dots between the dental occlusion and its anatomical neighbor, the cranium. This disconnect has unfortunately caused many patients to suffer a multitude of symptoms ranging from chronic migraines, atypical facial, head, neck, TMD, and total body structural instability. This orthodontic quagmire still exists despite the fact that the answers are readily available.

Since 1983, the ALF System has evolved through the process of intelligent evolution into a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment modality. The integration by this author of the specialty of cranial osteopathy with occlusal concepts establishes the true functionality of the occlusal-cranial connection. The concept of just straightening teeth without establishing occlusal-cranial balance is now obsolete. The entire stomatognathic system encompasses a delicate balance between the teeth, muscles, ligaments, mandible and maxillae and its anatomical counterpart the cranium and dural membrane system (vertical and horizontal membranes in the skull). Dentists must now recognize the fact that every change made in occlusal (bite) contacts, whether through Invisalign, traditional or functional orthodontics or restorative procedures has the potential of disrupting the functionality of the twenty-eight cranial bones, dural membranes, central and peripheral nervous systems. When employed, the Cranial Indicator System developed by this author provides the GPS (Global Positioning System) to re-establish occlusal (bite) stability. Once apprised of this interrelationship, orthodontic consumers are now demanding this higher standard of practice.

The ALF appliance provides a gentle, low force approach to realigning the maxillae and associated intra cranial dural membrane system. Use of the Cranial Indicators dictates the exact adjustments necessary to reset the skull back to factory default. Once adjustments are made the same indicators reveal within 30 seconds if the appliance adjustments were made correctly. This innovative technology can also be applied to any phase of restorative dentistry. In addition, the ALF System employes architectural principles by leveling the foundation of the skull: the maxillae. Once aligned, the maxillae now provides the template to orthodontically align the mandibular teeth. This process establishes the most stable relationship for the periodontium (teeth, gums, and bone) and associated structures. Clinical use of these basic principles documents that the ALF System is the most technologically advanced paradigm today in the specialty of orthodontics.