Airway Obstruction: Etiology of Class III Dentofacial Deformity

A 50-Year History

During the late 1960s, I attended a graduate pediatric specialty course given by Dr. Andrew Haas showing research evidence of Class III growth modification previously denied by academia. Dr. Haas’ body of work defined the RPE (Maxillary Expander) as a true orthopedic appliance.

Upon completing the pediatric specialty program, I commenced a solo pediatric dental practice in a small middle-class Boston suburb. Soon, I identified the early orthodontic treatment needs, two out of three, of my young patients. Early treatment became one of my passions.¹ The 1960s were also the peak of four bicuspid Serial Extraction Orthodontic Therapy.² I championed the controversial early treatment issue in practice and teaching, as well as formulating a strategy and protocol for the delivery of early treatment of orthodontics while becoming an original student and user of the Dr. Lawrence F. Andrews Straight-Wire Concepts and Appliance.³