By Clayton A. Chan,DDS,MICCMO
An explicit answer may be found with the definitions in the text,but to answer the question here I would like to use some quotations which define gnathology in terms of its intended aims or goals and its prospects for its effect on dentistry today.
The Aims of Gnathology (as per Dr. Gus Swab –student of the great Dr. Charles Stuart and teacher of my teacher Dr. Philip Taylor -gnathologist) –“The organized occlusion with its organized disclusion is the highest aim of Gnathology because it makes the mechanics of the mouth so that it will not be self destructive.”Dr. Harvey Stallard,who said,“Gnathology includes the exact relations existing between the teeth and the morphological border movements of the condyles:the lateral,the anterior and the rearmost positions…and most importantly,gnathology includes knowing how the nine various directions the condyles move laterally and medially in vertical chewing movements. How the chewing cycle of cusp points may be related to centricaly related cusp-fossa occlusion,is wanted gnathological knowledge.”Stallard wrote further,“Gnathology is the science behind the practice of recusping teeth.”
Regarding the future of gnathology he wrote,“What gnathologist should now make up their minds to do are:First,become proficient by learning the movements of the condyles and the effects of these movements upon cusp heights,cusp shapes,and cusp paths. Second,master the technique of gathering the necessary data to put into the articulator which will reproduce the necessary jaw relations. Third,acquire an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the mandibular joints. Fourth,comprehend how the neuro-muscular system assists us to fix the teeth for the best oral automation,Fifth,give greater attention to the nature,structure and health of the periodontium. A gnathologist has arrived when he will be as interested in having glowing health of the gingivae as good form in the occlusion.”
In a paper presented at the time that Dr. Charles Stuart (the great inventor,dentist and developer of the Stuart fully adjustable articulator) described gnathology as an on going search for knowledge,he said,“We cannot stand still in learning. We must go ahead. What we have learned is only the beginning in a vast field of expanding knowledge. Let us be made humble by realizing that far more may be unknown than known.
The thrust of these comments by people knowledgeable in the practice of gnathology is that gnathology influences every aspect of good dental practice and is therefore the most important basis for the provision of a dental health service. It could be said in answer to the question posed earlier,“Gnathology is the science that enables dentists to restore,protect and preserve the human dentition.”
Without gnathology,dentistry becomes a science and earns the dignity of a profession dedicated to protecting and improving the health of humans.
Dentist study gnathology to gain a greater understanding of the gnathic system which in turn enables them to do a better diagnosis and achieve more lasting results. Gnathology goes beyond the study of dealing with gingivitis,periodontitis,absecess,tumors,neoplasms,hypertonic “muscles,teeth and joints”etc. but is actually is the science that treats the biologics of the masticating mechanism;that is the morphology,anatomy,histology,physiology,pathology and the therapeutics of the oral organ,especially the jaws and teeth and the vital relations of this organ to the rest of the body.
In today’s,dentistry much of the occlusal morphology,anatomy and form are often ignored and lacks the science of understanding how each cusp,fossa,groove direction,cuspid angles,rise and incisal discluding mechanisms really should function and how the complete relationship of the occlusal table relates to the whole body. It goes beyond teeth,muscles and joints and creating pretty smiles in the name of NMD! More clinicians need to become the physician of dentistry and go beyond just being the reconstruction,replacement mechanics of the mouth.
