About this episode

Dr. Mike interviews Dr. Duane Grummons about the evolution and importance of airway-focused orthodontics.

Overview: In this landmark episode, Dr. Mike sits down with Dr. Duane Grummons - a board-certified orthodontist, educator, and internationally recognized lecturer with over 50 years of clinical experience. Dr. Grummons traces the origins of airway-focused orthodontics from his early training under Ricketts, Bench, and Gugino in the 1970s, through the political and clinical headwinds of the 1990s, to the evidence-based framework he champions today. The conversation covers early facial orthopedics, slow maxillary expansion, mandibular arch development, face mask therapy, cone beam imaging, and the critical importance of treating the whole patient, not just the teeth. Timestamps: 0:00 — Welcome 0:23 — Introduction of Dr. Duane Grummons and his 50+ year career in orthodontics 3:16 — Dr. Grummons on his clinical history: Ricketts, Bench, Gugino, and learning to think in 3D from day one 7:03 — "It's a fad" — addressing the critics of airway orthodontics and why this work is decades old 21:03 — The 2026 AAO: only 1 out of 155 lectures addressed early treatment and airway 24:44 — Why orthodontists fear lower arch expansion — and why they shouldn't 30:57 — Advice for colleagues who want…

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