A prominent dentist, Dr. Daniel R. Gole of Hastings, Michigan, developed The Resultant Force Vector Technique (RFV). He found that the nerves and muscles that cause pain and dysfunction in the body are related to teeth through the peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system, and that "TEETH WORK LIKE KEYBOARDS IN THE BODY COMPUTER SYSTEM". Whatever happens in the teeth, it refers to the body and vice versa.
The RFV Technique is a method of assessing and treating body pain and dysfunction, by relating it to neural (nerve) input associated with the Trigeminal (Fifth Cranial Nerve) Complex and/or the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), and treating it from a dental perspective.
A resultant force vector is the summation of individual vectors of force applied to an object. The forces are primarily generated in the orofacial/craniofacial complex by muscle, body posture, skeletal alignment, body function and the anatomy of the teeth. In an ideal model, when all the forces are balanced, the body is balanced and the resultant force vector is zero (neutral).
The resultant force vector links to the occlusion (bite), neural input from the trigeminal and autonomic nervous system, and intimately relates to postural muscle tone throughout the body, which occurs in patterns from head to toe. Regardless of the source, if the presenting pain and muscle dysfunction can be modified and/or eliminated by simple provocation tests by the use of an oral appliance, it can be corrected or significantly improved by a well-trained dentist.
Orofacial/Craniofacial pain and postural dysfunctions are expressed by the condition of: 1) the occlusion (the bite), 2) the tooth anatomy (shape, size and position of the tooth), 3) the inter-arch relationship of the jawbones, 4) the jaw joints, and 5) the physical properties of dental materials that are used. The muscle tension is relative to the resultant force vector that is generated beyond the adaptive capacity of the patient. Generally, the greater the resultant force vector the greater the muscle tension.
Muscle tension that exceeds the adaptive capacity of a functional unit can: 1) inhibit normal range of motion, 2) decrease local blood flow, 3) entrap neurovascular bundles, 4) inhibit lymphatic drainage and produce local pain. Muscle tension, regardless of the intensity, is translated (shifted) to adjacent units in patterns and this shifted muscle tension prevents local tissue damage and maintains relatively normal overall body function.
The RFV Technique links postural muscle dysfunction to the forces acting on the jaw. The postural muscles, regardless of the source of the muscle tension expressed from head to toe, exert forces on the jaw and the teeth. The teeth, conversely, as muscle tension throughout the body increases, forces on the jaw increase and exert forces outward into the postural muscles. When tension exceeds physiologic limits, the weakest structural components that are under the load will break, stretch, tear, or deform leading to pain and dysfunction or release of the stress.
The RFV Technique was developed for the reduction of chronic unresolved musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction that eludes the normal medical treatment protocols. The RFV Technique tries to address the muscle dysfunction that is identified by functional testing and muscle palpation. Successful application lowers the structural and dental stress levels, giving the patient an increased buffer zone, or adaptive capacity, to handling future stress. To have a relaxed muscle tone and a proper TMJ position, there must be a well/perfectly distributed guiding contact of teeth in the closing stroke during the time of various body function. If the teeth do not allow the mandible to close smoothly on its trajectory, then the muscles will react by erratic action, increasing tension and pushing the TMJ into a strained position.
In the human jaw, maxilla dictates the boundaries of the mandible in the final closure, and within which the mandible may become trapped or remain neuromuscularly and structurally free. This is based upon a structural maxillo-mandibular concept rather than dental concept of occlusion. Closing position of the jaw is primarily guided by the way the teeth fit. It is therefore imperative that teeth fit together along the same closing stroke in which the TMJ and masticatory muscles function.
Usually, dentists make occlusal evaluations based upon models, articulating paper, waxes and static position of mandible. Absence was any information regarding the effects of neuromuscular components on occlusal contacts in function. The most important modifier is the muscles, which are related with jaw movement, and are responsible for the greatest occlusal variability.
During the treatment the following three criteria have to be satisfied to achieve the best results:
- The occlusion must be stable when the teeth touch together
- The occlusion must be functional when the jaw moves around
- The occlusion must fit to the various body movement
Abstracted from Dr. Gole's lecture. www.goledentalgroup.com.