Robert M. Ricketts

Last updated
Robert M. Ricketts
Born
Robert Murray Ricketts

(1920-05-05)May 5, 1920
DiedJune 17, 2003(2003-06-17) (aged 83)
Education Indiana University School of Dentistry
Known forDeveloped Rickett's Cephalometric Analysis, Bioprogressive Theory, an .018in slot for orthodontic bracket, Utility arch
Medical career
Profession Dentist
Sub-specialties Orthodontics

Dr. Robert M. Ricketts (May 5, 1920 - June 17, 2003) was an American orthodontist known for many contributions in the field of orthodontics. [1] Most important contributions were related to his development of Ricketts' Cephalometric Analysis [2] and an .018-inch slot in an orthodontic bracket. His research focused on the growth and structural variation of the face and jaws.

Contents

Life

Ricketts was born in Kokomo, Indiana into a poor family. In his early childhood years, his family's farming business was devastated by the Great Depression of the 1920s. After high school, he worked as a laborer in a steel mill factory and a radio factory for one year. He obtained his dental degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1945. He then joined the U.S. Navy as a dentist for two years and eventually went to the University of Illinois to study orthodontics under Dr. Allan G. Brodie. He obtained his master's degree in 1947.

He was a professor at many universities in the world, including Loma Linda University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Southern California. During his lifetime, he was member of 17 professional societies and gave over 100 lectures all over the world about orthodontics. In 1981, he founded the American Institute for Bioprogressive Education.

He retired at the age of 72 and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1992. He died at the age of 83 in 2003. Ricketts was married twice and was survived by four children: Robin, Gale, Craig, and Anastar.

Orthodontics

Ricketts' contributions in orthodontics started in the 1950s. During that era, doctors Alan Brodie and Holly Broadbent Sr. believed in using cephalometric radiographs for longitudinal studies rather than clinical applications. Ricketts' views were contrary. He published two papers in 1960 in which he showed his work of using cephalometric X-rays on 1000 patients in his clinic. [3] Some of his contributions to the field of orthodontics were

Ricketts published over 30 books. [5] Nine of his books (3 volumes) concerned cranio-facial orthopedics. He also wrote a personal narrative called The Reappearing American that was published in 1993. [6]

Bioprogressive therapy

Ricketts developed the bioprogressive philosophy which stated that a face should be treated as a whole, rather than focusing one's attention on just teeth and occlusion. This philosophy involves over 100 principles that are divided into the "four" sciences known as Social, Biological, Clinical, and Mechanical. [7] [8] Some of the principles of this philosophy includes:

Morganics

In the 1950s, Ricketts was the first person in United States to prescribe nutritional supplements in his orthodontic and orthopedic practice. Later, he developed a nutritional community and eventually, due to his contributions in the field of microbiology and chemistry, the Morganics Nutrition Supplement was developed. The company Morganics was founded in 1993 and is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona. [9]

Awards and recognitions

Positions

See also

Related Research Articles

Crossbite Medical condition

Crossbite is a form of malocclusion where a tooth has a more buccal or lingual position than its corresponding antagonist tooth in the upper or lower dental arch. In other words, crossbite is a lateral misalignment of the dental arches.

Cephalometric analysis is the clinical application of cephalometry. It is analysis of the dental and skeletal relationships of a human skull. It is frequently used by dentists, orthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons as a treatment planning tool. Two of the more popular methods of analysis used in orthodontology are the Steiner analysis and the Downs analysis. There are other methods as well which are listed below.

Cecil C. Steiner was a dentist and one of Edward H. Angle's first students in 1921. He developed a form of cephalometric analysis, presented in 1953, referred to as the Steiner method of analysis.

Ravindra Nanda

Dr. Ravindra Nanda is a professor and Head of the Department of Craniofacial Sciences and Chair of the Division of Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He is part of the founding faculty of School of Dental Medicine and has been at the University of Connecticut since 1972 where he also holds an Alumni Chair in the Orthodontics Division. He is an innovator of various appliances in orthodontics. His research and clinical interests include adolescent and adult orthodontics, the biology of tooth mobility, craniofacial orthopedics, biomechanics and developing efficient mechanics to deliver orthodontic care.

Interproximal reduction (IPR) is the practice of mechanically removing enamel from between the teeth to achieve orthodontic ends, such as to correct crowding, or reshape the contact area between neighboring teeth. After reducing the enamel, the procedure should also involve anatomic re-contouring and the protection of interproximal enamel surfaces.

Charles J. Burstone was an American orthodontist who was notable for his contributions to biomechanics and force-systems in the field of orthodontics. He was well known for co-development of new orthodontic material such as beta titanium, nickel titanium, and long fiber-reinforced composite. He wrote more than 200 articles in scientific fields.

Erik Arne Björk was a Swedish dentist famous for his The Face in Profile Analysis which he published in 1947. He is also known to develop the implant radiography.

Milo Hellman was an American orthodontist and an instructor at Angle School of Orthodontia and Chair of NYU Orthodontic Program. He is known for his contributions to the field of Orthodontia via his research on the relationship between teeth, jaws and face.

Harold Dean Kesling was an American orthodontist who is known for developing the tooth positioning appliance called "Positioner". This appliance is used in orthodontics at the end of treatment to allow teeth to settle in occlusion.

Dr. William J. Clark is a Scottish orthodontist known for developing Twin Block Appliance in Orthodontics. This appliance was developed by Dr. Clark in 1977 in Scotland and since then this appliance has been used in correction of Class 2 malocclusions with retrognathic mandible. He also developed invisible TransForce Appliance in 2004.

Dr. Herbert A. Pullen was an American orthodontist who was the graduate of the first class from Angle School of Orthodontia in 1900. Pullen is known to have developed Pullen band-forming pliers, band-removing pliers and band seater.

Anchorage (orthodontics) Way of resisting tooth movement in orthodontics

Anchorage in orthodontics is defined as a way of resisting movement of a tooth or number of teeth by using different techniques. Anchorage is an important consideration in the field of orthodontics as this is a concept that is used frequently when correcting malocclusions. Unplanned or unwanted tooth movement can have dire consequences in a treatment plan, and therefore using anchorage stop a certain tooth movement becomes important. Anchorage can be used from many different sources such as teeth, bone, implants or extra-orally.

Activator Appliance is an Orthodontics appliance that was developed by Viggo Andresen in 1908. This was one of the first functional appliances that was developed to correct functional jaw in the early 1900s. Activator appliance became the universal appliance that was used widely throughout Europe in the earlier part of the 20th century.

Carl Frank Gugino is an American orthodontist who is known to develop the first computerized cephalometric and visual treatment objective (VTO) program with Dr. Robert M. Ricketts and Dr. Bench. He is mostly known, along with Peter R. Breads, to have founded Great Lakes Dental Technologies, formally known as Great Lakes Orthodontics, which is an orthodontic laboratory and product company.

Frankel appliance or Frankel Functional Regulator is an orthodontic functional appliance which was developed by Rolf Fränkel in 1950s for treatment to patients of all ages. This appliance primarily focused on the modulation of neuromuscular activity in order to produce changes in jaw and teeth. The appliance was opposite to the Bionator appliance and Activator appliance.

Molar distalization is a process in the field of Orthodontics which is used to move molar teeth, especially permanent first molars, distally (backwards) in an arch. This procedure is often used in treatment of patients who have Class 2 malocclusion. The cause is often the result of loss of E space in an arch due to early loss of primary molar teeth and mesial (forward) migration of the molar teeth. Sometimes molars are distalized to make space for other impacted teeth, such as premolars or canines, in the mouth.

Intrusion is a movement in the field of orthodontics where a tooth is moved partially into the bone. Intrusion is done in orthodontics to correct an anterior deep bite or in some cases intrusion of the over-erupted posterior teeth with no opposing tooth. Intrusion can be done in many ways and consists of many different types. Intrusion, in orthodontic history, was initially defined as problematic in early 1900s and was known to cause periodontal effects such as root resorption and recession. However, in mid 1950s successful intrusion with light continuous forces was demonstrated. Charles J. Burstone defined intrusion to be "the apical movement of the geometric center of the root (centroid) in respect to the occlusal plane or plane based on the long axis of tooth".

Natural head position is a reproducible position of a head when it is in an upright position, with eyes looking straight at a mark. The concept was introduced into the field of orthodontics in the late 1950s by Moorrees and Kean. A horizontal line related to the natural head position has been recommended as the most reliable plane to study cephalometric analysis.

Anthony Gianelly (1936–2009) was an American orthodontist. He developed the bi-dimensional technique, which is widely used in various private practices of orthodontics and has been the subject of numerous publications over the years.

Orthodontic indices are one of the tools that are available for orthodontists to grade and assess malocclusion. Orthodontic indices can be useful for an epidemiologist to analyse prevalence and severity of malocclusion in any population.

References

  1. Senior, Winston B. (2003-11-08). "Robert Murray Ricketts". British Dental Journal. 195 (9): 545. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4810673. ISSN   0007-0610. S2CID   35733954.
  2. Ricketts, Robert (2 April 1981). "Perspectives in the Clinical Application of Orthodontics". Angle Orthodontist. 51: 115.
  3. Ricketts, Robert Murray (1960-05-01). "A foundation for cephalometric communication". American Journal of Orthodontics. 46 (5): 330–357. doi:10.1016/0002-9416(60)90047-6. ISSN   0889-5406.
  4. ricketts, robert (1979-01-01). Bioprogressive Therapy (2nd ed.). Rocky Mountain/Orthodontics.
  5. Ricketts, Robert M. (1992-01-01). Tecnica Bioprogresiva de Ricketts (in Spanish). Madrid etc.: Editorial Medica Panamericana. ISBN   9788479030629.
  6. Ricketts, Robert Murray (1993-05-01). The Reappearing American (First Printing ed.). Scottsdale, Ariz.: Arba Pr. ISBN   9780963596109.
  7. Grummons, Duane (2015-09-01). "Smile because of Dr Robert Murray Ricketts". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 148 (3): 368–373. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.04.018. ISSN   0889-5406. PMID   26321333.
  8. Ricketts, Robert Murray (1964-10-01). "The keystone triad". American Journal of Orthodontics. 50 (10): 728–750. doi:10.1016/0002-9416(64)90079-X. ISSN   0002-9416.
  9. "Morganics Home". www.morganics.com. Retrieved 2016-06-25.