Book: "A concept of “en bloc” of teeth using GUMMETAL wire" by Shin Hasegawa

Constructing a functional occlusion is the most important challenge underlying dental care. Orthodontic occlusal therapy is playing an increasingly important role as an extremely effective approach to occlusal reconstruction. It is no exaggeration to say that comprehensive occlusal reconstruction is impossible without the use of orthodontic treatment modalities , particularly for patients with complex problems associated with dysfunction of the masticatory organ. Why is an orthodontic approach effective? It is because mandibular position can be controlled with orthodontic treatment to correct mandibular displacement, in addition to improving arch form, tooth long axis angulation, occlusal guidance and occlusal relationship in patients with dysfunction. Occlusal therapy without consideration for mandibular position is impossible in treating malocclusions in modern humans. Orthodontic occlusal treatment has been evolving along with the paradigm shift that the masticatory organ also plays an important role in stress management with bruxism function. Orthodontic occlusal treatment is no longer a special treatment in modern dentistry, but is taking root as an effective modality of occlusal treatment as part of standard dental care.

We have published several books on orthodontic treatment taking functional aspects of the masticatory organ into account. This book reinforces these fundamental ideas and summarizes how orthodontic occlusal treatment should be instituted. Therefore, we divided the book into two parts for those who already use the MEAW appliance as well as those who need to know how to start the treatment of malocclusion:

• a theoretical part on the concepts of treating malocclusions based on physiological functional occlusion, and
• a clinical part focusing on the use of the newly developed titanium alloy called “GUMMETAL” to correct vertical disharmony.

Themes in this book include concepts, diagnosis and treatment planning. Bruxism as a stress‑relieving mechanism and the importance of establishing comfort during treatment with highly comfortable bruxism tires itself while maintaining a tightly occluded position in the initial section. The second part of the book explains the establishment of the GE‑AW appliance (GUMMETAL Edgewise Arch Wire) appliance as well as treatment of different types of malocclusion, and preventive orthodontic treatment based on the mixed dentition and physiological occlusion. It is my sincere hope that this book will help further evolve the treatment of malocclusions.

July 2019
Sadao SATO