The K7 Chan Optimized Bite Education and the Agilityguard – Science: What Makes It Work – Part 1

By Clayton A. Chan, DDS, MICCMO

The central nervous system’s ability to propriocept and sense 5-10 microns spontaneously exhibits itself in exquisite detail in the workings of the human jaw.  Top competitive athletes are very much in tune with their bodies and they can tell when the doctor has hit the bulls eye and found the optimal bite.

To read more about: Clinical and Scientific Validation for Optimizing the Neuromuscular Trajectory Using the Chan Protocol

Over many years of quiet research and learning, of observation and trial and error, I have come to realize that there is one very specific position of the jaw that allows the body to undo the strains, torques and skews that most of us experience. That position is a very precise point in space that can be measured using computerized jaw tracking instrumentation (K7 kineseograph, Myotronics-Noromed, Inc.), requiring accuracy of less than one millimeter. The Chan Optimized Bite™ training and education evolves around a specific protocol that I have developed that guides dentists in finding that “sweet spot” and capturing the bite in a very precise manner. The human body responds most efficiently when the jaw is at this optimized point, and all the muscles of the neuro-muscular system function on demand from rest at a specific point within the performance zone of the human bite.  When the human bite functions outside this zone, there is a physiologic weakening in one’s body, and explosive power in performance is diminished.  Finding an optimal jaw position is the key to improving strength, speed, agility, balance as well as improve cognitive/visual reaction times that is unique to every individual.

Read more on: Neuromuscular Instrumentation FDA and ADA Approved.

The AgilityGuard’s Optimized Bite success lies in the bio-physiology of the upper to lower jaw relationship. It is based upon idealizing and establishing unstrained and uninhibited neuro-muscular pathways of the jaws to support the neck, back and shoulders (the key to optimization).  As the muscles interactively relax, neural pathway begin to open up in both the regions of the masticatory system of the head down to and through the cervical region (the neck) and lower parts of the vertebral column (the back).  The spinal column with the associated neural paths are also immediately triggered to open up any neuromuscular and cervical compensating constrictions.  This physiologic jaw alignment process allows the electro-neural signaling to flow to all the associated structures from head to toe effecting the heart rate and respiration rates as well as other organ systems that stimulate muscle activity contributing to rapid action (high alert) responses.

As the lower mandible and jaw joints shift from a compensated strained position to a physiologically aligned position the head and neck posture immediately begins to level and align with a corresponding effect to the rest of the body.  When there exists jaw, head and neck constrictions, a reduction in the individuals flexibility, speed and range of motion will occur.  When muscles are out of synch, there is also compensating reduction in one’s ability to stabilize, balance and recover.  The Optimized Bite™ is a technique that does not force that  jaw too far forward (unphysiologic) neither does it allow the jaw to function too far retrusive (also unphysiologic), but rather is a technique that establish anatomical, facial and functional harmony so the body can function at its optimal, thus the “Optimization Effect”.

  1. Strength improvement – Able to transfer the strength to the activity
  2. Speed & Agility – Linear split second changes
  3. Recovery Enhancement – An improved heart rate and blood pressure responses for a level aerobic exercise effort
  4. Balance – Controlled equilibrium (Static and dynamic)
  5. Flexibilty – Balance in tension with reduced force output
  6. Stability – Resistance to disturbance
  7. Endurance – Able to go the distance
  8. Cognitive Enhancements – Improved auditory and visual reaction times.

Efficient activation of any bodies response begins from a state of neutrality (“homeostasis”) when the human jaws are optimally positioned to a very “specific point” in 3 dimensional space.  Locating this rested neutral jaw position for each individual uniquely allows that person optimal physical performance.  This optimal jaw relationship stabilized by the AgilityGuard can be identified and measured using precise computerized measuring instrumentation by trained dentists to within 0.1-0.3 mm of accuracy within the physiologic zone.

Dr. Clayton Chan’s Optimized Bite™ and Chan Optimized Bite™ education and training programs gives dentists the understanding, skill and ability to scientifically find each individuals “sweet spot” for maximum efficiency of the AgilityGuard.  The AgilityGuard unleashes any roadblocks and compensating postural problems in the human jaw (the bite) that effects speed, strength, agility, stability, balance and performance.

More information on: K7 Chan Optimized Bite™: What Makes It Work-Part-3
Neuromuscular Dental Science Proprioceptive Avoidance Conditioning and the Reticular Activating System: What Makes It Work – Part 2

In the following blogs, I will discuss the following topics as it pertains to the science and neurophysiology of Optimization of the human bite and how it works by discussing the following topics:

  • Neurophysiology of Head and Jaw Positioning Related to the Trigeminal Nerve System (TNS)
  • Occlusal Proprioception and the Reticular Activating System (RAS)
  • Effects of the Aberrant Prioprioceptive Inputs on Second Order Sensory Neurons
  • Motor Neurons of the Trigeminal Nerve Modifying Muscle Movements
  • Energy Metabolism – Physiology of Muscle and Nerves
  • Structure of Skeletal Muscles
  • Skeletal Muscle Properties

Related References:

  1. Simona Tecco*1, Antonella Polimeni2, Matteo Saccucci3 and Felice Festa1; Postural loads during walking after an imbalance of occlusion created with unilateral cotton rolls, Tecco et al. BMC Research Notes 2010, 3:141.
  2. Harold Gelb, B.S., D.M.D. ; Noshir R. Mehta, B.D.S., D.M.D. ; Albert G. Forgione, Ph.D.; The Relationship Between Jaw Posture and Muscular Strength in Sports Dentistry: A Reappraisal. The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, October 1996, Vol. 14, N0. 4, pp. 320-325.
  3. P. Bracco, A. Deregibus*, R. Piscetta: Effects of different jaw relations on postural stability in human subjects. Neuroscience Letters, 356 (2004) 228–230.
  4. K. T. Francis PhD and J. Brasher MA: Physiological effects of wearing mouthguards.  Br J Sp Med 1991; 25(4), pp. 227-231.
  5. Hala AL-Abbasi, B.D.S., M.S., D.Sc.; Noshir R. Mehta, D.M.D., M.D.S., M.S.; Albert G. Forgione, Ph.D.; R. Ernest Clark, Ph.D.: The Effect of Vertical Dimension and Mandibular Position on Isometric Strength of the Cervical Flexors, The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, April 1999, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 85-91.
  6. Tariq Abduljabbar, D.D.S., M.S.; Noshir R. Mehta, D.M.D., M.S.; Albert G. Forgione, Ph.D.; R. Ernest Clark, Ph.D.; Joseph H. Kronman, D.M.D., Ph.D.; Theodore L. Munsat, M.D.; Patrick George, B.S.: Effect of Increased Maxillo-mandibular Relationship on Isometric Strength in TMD Patients with Loss of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion, The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, January 1997, VOL. 15, NO. 1, pp. 57-66.

www.occlusionconnections.com/Optimized_Bite/


For more information you can visit the following websites: www.agilityguard.com