History

 

1960-1970: THE SIX KEYS TO OPTIMAL OCCLUSION, OPTIMAL OCCLUSION© TOOTH MEASUREMENT FINDINGS, AND THE ANDREWS2 STRAIGHT-WIRE APPLIANCE

 

Lawrence F. Andrews, D.D.S., has engaged in independent research, teaching, and publishing since 1960. Research spanning ten years led to the Six Keys to Optimal Occlusion, quantifying the tooth positions of naturally optimal dentitions, and the Andrews2 Straight-Wire Appliance. This information has been documented in a text titled, “Straight-Wire, The Concept and Appliance” (L. A. Wells, 1989). By 1980, all had gained worldwide acceptance.

 

1980-1998: THE SIX ELEMENTS OF OROFACIAL HARMONY AND THE ANDREWS ARTICULATOR SYSTEM

 

1980's - 1990's research led to finding the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony. They are the characteristics found to be shared by individuals with both optimal occlusion and balanced faces. They are proposed as optimal goals for orthodontic treatment and as the bases for a new positionally correct classification system. This body of work has been presented in meetings and courses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia since 1990. 1980's research also led to a new articulator system, designed specifically for the needs of orthodontists. It is called the Andrews Articulator System. The system is now available from Golden Eagle Orthodontics, Inc. (website: http://www.geo-orthodontics.com).

 

Directors

 

Will A. Andrews, D.D.S. joined the Foundation in 1992 and is co-director with his father. Will has an active orthodontic practice and is involved in research and teaching.

 

1960's – 2000's: A COMPLETE LIST OF RESEARCH PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE ANDREWS FOUNDATION

 

1960's

1. The collecting of over 150 casts of individuals with optimal occlusion that have never had orthodontic treatment (1962 and ongoing)
2. The first reinforced facebow that is virtually unbreakable -- the outer wire is spring- loaded, the inner wire is adjustable via loops (1962)
3. The Six Keys to Optimal Occlusion (1965)
4. A double buccal tube with a built-in facebow and muscle-bumper stop (1964)
5. Finding and using the facial-axis of the clinical crown and the facial-axis point for measuring tooth position, for designing brackets, and for bracket siting (1965)
6. A tooth-position measurement study (angulation, inclination, and prominence) (1965)
7. The Straight-Wire Concept (1965)

 

1970's

8. The Straight-Wire Appliance (1970)
9. The Ten-Hour Force Theory (1971)
10. The Space-Unit and Tooth-Unit Concept (1972)
11. Teaching the Six Keys to Optimal Occlusion and the Straight-Wire Appliance

 

1980's

12. Research regarding articulator needs for orthodontists (1985-1989)
13. The Three Arch-Line Concept (1988)
14. A definition for an optimal arch (1989)
15. A definition for an optimal archwire shape (1989)
16. An effective method for finding the head's frontal-plane (1985-1990)
17. The use of the forehead (prominence and inclination) and the head's frontal-plane for locating the AP goals for the jaws and teeth (1986-1990)
18. The Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony universal and optimal treatment goals for teeth and jaws (1985-1990)
19. A three -dimensional and positionally-correct classification system based on the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony (1988)
20. Quantification of what constitutes a normal and a beyond normal orofacial condition (1988)
21. The development of a glossary of modern orthodontic terms (1960 and ongoing)
22. The parallel growth theory (1989)
23. “Straight-Wire, The Concept and Appliance” textbook (L.A. Wells, Inc., 1989)

 

1990's

24. The Andrews Articulator System, an articulator designed specifically for orthodontists
25. Diagnostic template
26. Andrews Foundation philosophy courses, teaching a complete orthodontic philosophy for orthodontists, including the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony, the Andrews Articulator, and the new positionally-correct, three-dimensional classification system

 

2000's

27. The Andrews2 Orthodontic Appliance
28. The Andrews2 Archwires
29. A new computer generated diagnosis, treatment planning, and video imaging system, based on the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony and the Straight-Wire Appliance scheduled in 2014
30. The Andrews Arch-width Measuring Device
31. The Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony book scheduled for 2014