[Dento-facial orthopedics and osteopathy]

Osteopathy has grown rapidly. Given their common action on children and adolescents, the collaboration between dentofacial orthopedics and osteopathy is increasingly common. It therefore becomes necessary and urgent to investigate whether, based on data acquired from science, there is evidence of possible interrelations between the two disciplines. After reviewing the literature, very few scientific publications demonstrate the utility of osteopathy and its relationships with other disciplines. However, the relationship between occlusion and posture seem relatively proven, especially in the sagittal direction. On the other hand, although the mobility of the cranial bones is established, the primary respiratory motion is still subject to controversy, even among osteopaths. This, even as orthodontics has long been accused of countering the primary respiratory motion of cranial bones (PRM). Today osteopaths do not reject orthodontics anymore, because the return to a physiological bite situation is considered beneficial. According to expert opinion (without proof, however), some orthodontic devices (like headgears) which block the sutures are still to be avoided and require appropriate monitoring osteopathy. The controversy over the adverse effects of orthodontic treatment is becoming more nuanced by osteopaths, and modern orthodontics claiming a «global» approach of patient, collaboration may be possible in future year.