Epigenetic orthodontics: facial and airway development.

It is the purpose of this article to introduce a functional orthopedic/orthodontic appliance, the Homeoblock (Figure 1), which, when worn at night (3 p.m. to 8 a.m.), alters oral function and produces a gene environmental interaction that results in an epigenetic response, namely, the expression of unexpressed genes in adult patients. The results of the case studies presented are evaluated using state-of-the-art, three-dimensional technologies: cone beam computerized tomography combined with Dolphin and Analyze 10.0 software (Mayo Clinic). The results, in so-called non-growing adult patients, can only be attributed to gene expression.