Ted Rothstein, DDS, PhD
Specialist in Orthodontics for Adults and Children
Member American Association of Orthodontics
Founder DPOJW www.drted.com/DPOJW.html
35 Remsen St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
718 852 1551  Fx 718 852 1894   drted35@aol.com   www.drted.com

Dear Ms. Brody*,

I have been a fan of yours for many years. Your article on the removal of wisdom teeth has graced my web site since you wrote it. See the article. It is one of the most popular pages on my site.

Dulcie Leimbach*,* a freelance copy editor at the Times, whose daughter is now wearing my braces, suggested I contact you regarding my work in the little-known field of Orthodontic Jaw Wiring (OJW), See Photo, which I devised and have championed for the past five years. I have treated over forty five patients using OJW, helping them regain a measure of control over spiraling weight problems and compulsive overeating. Jay, a Colorado lawyer, provides insight (and praise) about the procedure: READ JAY'S LETTER.

The subject remains little known, and controversial: The OJW Controversy Article. This article highlights the polarity in the dental community over this approach to weight control. Two prominent members of the orthodontic community express there views therein.

I have presented my work in this field at major dental and orthodontic conferences in New York, Paris, and Las Vegas between 2004 and 2006: Las Vegas May 2006.  I was heartened by praise received for daring to illuminate a technique that dentists seem somewhat embarrassed to use.  Call ten dentists at random, and you will see my point.

My contribution is to have developed a protocol for providing OJW in which the possibility of jaw joint stiffening is addressed; devised a practical Informed Consent (disclaimer) for the dental community; shown how it could be done using orthodontic attachments instead of threading wires through gums and teeth, and addressed the problem of how to select appropriate patients: POWER POINT PRESENTATION 

As you know, obesity is a real disease. An alarming statistic is that three to four persons per thousand who undergo gastric bypass surgery die as a result of the procedure. It is my goal to expose the dental and medical community to an alternative with a zero mortality rate.

A dentist may not diagnose "obesity," but surely he can apply the hardware and monitor the health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints while the patients get a jumpstart in behavioral change.  OJW is not for everybody and is not a panacea. It is for carefully selected patients who think there is still a chance left to save them from having to face the bariatric surgeon.

Might you consider an article on extreme dieting and the risks of bypass surgery [The risks of gastric surgery; [The long-term outlook].  Medicare responsibles have recognized the need to find less costly procedures than bariatric surgery ($35,000). I say OJW is the right step for some, and should be considered among alternative approaches prior to, (BMI <38), the need for gastric bypass surgery.  I have provided OJW to patients who came from as far away as California.  I believe that there is a trend toward this option and OJW would enjoy more currency were it more widely known. The DPOJW is also part of my contribution: www.drted.com/DPOJW.html.
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Cordially,

Dr. Ted Rothstein

DEFINITION OF TERMS

DEFINITION OF THE OJW APPLIANCE

Orthodontic dental jaw wiring, (OJW) a fixed intra-oral device and method to treat overweight, obesity and compulsive overeating by limiting jaw opening thereby preventing ingestion of solid food while simultaneously allowing jaw mobility and minimally impairing speech.

ABSTRACT OF THE OJW METHOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS/CONTROL

Orthodontic/dental jaw wiring is a  fixed intra-oral bio-mechanical assembly  composed of brackets and fastening wire enabling dentists to suspend a person’s lower jaw in a semi-closed and partially movable position of rest permitting  the jaw a range of mobility that minimizes jaw joint stiffening while minimally impairing the patient’s speech and rendering the person unable to ingest other than a liquid diet which when used in conjunction with an accompanying Informed-Consent (disclaimer) and a patient instruction guide comprises a method of treatment for obesity. 

Global definition of Orthodontic Jaw Wiring

ORTHODONTIC JAW WIRING  refers to the entire domain of the OJW provider's responsibility  for selecting patients according to a specified criteria, providing them with informed consent so that they are aware of the risks and limitations of OJW, then wiring their jaws together by a prescribed, method, transmitting that know-how to the patient (especially if they are not able to return to your office and can not find a professional level provider) and finally, reexamining them and rewiring them periodically after examination has shown that their dentition, gingiva, and TMJ have remained healthy until the period of time that they have elected to receive OJW

What is the purpose of the DPOJW

DENTIST PROVIDERS OF ORTHODONTIC JAW WIRING will be a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization composed largely of dentists and dental specialists (in particular orthodontists), whose panel of advisors will eventually include a lawyer, dentists, orthodontist, psychotherapeutic counselor, and where possible, a bariatric surgeon, a registered dietician and some former OJW patients....The major goal is to acquire funds to carry out research at an appropriate facility (dental school, hospital, weight loss clinic); to investigate whether or not the present protocol for orthodontic jaw wiring (a relatively non-invasive approach to weight loss), is a safe, i.e, without multiple harmful side effects) and effective method to aid overweight and obese persons to lose weight and keep it off lest they become candidates for invasive surgery whose mortality rate 4-5/1000. And if so, to raise awareness of its potential among other health providers such as general physicians...It will support educational activities to help providers understand and appreciate how to provide this service so as to maximize the potential for patients to achieve their weight-loss goals while recognizing and minimizing any potential injuries likely to befall a patient in the short run (3-6 months), or during a more lengthy period of OJW (6-12 months)....It will promote the spread of knowledge of the method to general dentists and orthodontists (by creating continuing educational courses) and to the public at large, by encouraging would-be providers whose numbers at present are limited.

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