Lawrence F. Andrews, D.D.S., has engaged in independent research, teaching, and publishing since 1960. Research spanning ten years led to The Six Keys™ to Optimal Occlusion, quantifying the tooth positions of naturally optimal dentitions, and the Straight-Wire Appliance®. This information has been documented in a text titled Straight Wire, The Concept and Appliance (L. A. Wells, 1989). By 1980 all had gained worldwide acceptance

1980's - 1990's research led to finding the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony™. They are the characteristics found to be shared by individuals with both optimal occlusion and balanced faces. They are proposed as optimal goals for orthodontic treatment and as the bases for a new positionally correct classification system. This body of work has been presented in meetings and courses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia since 1990. A current course schedule follows. This information as well as the entire Andrews™ philosophy will be reported in the Orthodontic and Orofacial Harmony Journal, a new journal sponsored by the Lawrence F. Andrews™ Foundation beginning in January 2000.

1980's research also led to a new articulator system, designed specifically for the needs of orthodontists. It is called the Andrews™ Occlusofacial Simulator™ Articulator System. The system is now available form Golden Eagle Orthodontics, Inc. (website: http://www.geo-orthodontics.com).

Will A. Andrews, D.D.S. joined the Foundation in 1992 and is co-director with his father. Will has an active orthodontic practice and is involved in research and teaching.

1960's – 1999: A COMPLETE LIST OF RESEARCH PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE ANDREWS FOUNDATION

1960's

1. The collecting of over 150 casts of individuals with optimal occlusion that have never had orthodontic treatment (1962 and ongoing)
2. The first reinforced facebow that is virtually unbreakable -- the outer wire is spring- loaded, the inner wire is adjustable via loops (1962)
3. A double buccal tube with a built-in facebow and muscle-bumper stop (1964)
4. Finding and using the facial-axis of the clinical crown and the facial-axis point for measuring tooth position, for designing brackets, and for bracket siting (1965)
5. The Six Keys™ to Optimal Occlusion (1965)
6. A tooth-position measurement study (angulation, inclination, and prominence) (1965)
7. The Straight-Wire Concept (1965)

8. The Straight-Wire Appliance (1970)
9. The Ten-Hour Force Theory (1971)
10. The Space-Unit and Tooth-Unit Concept (1972)
11. Teaching the Six Keys™ to Optimal Occlusion and the Straight Wire Appliance

12. Research regarding articulator needs for orthodontists (1985-1989)
13. The Three Arch-Line Concept (1988)
14. A definition for optimal arch width and form (1989)
15. A definition for optimal archwire width and form (1989)
16. An approach for finding the head's frontal-plane (1985-1990)
17. The use of the forehead (prominence and inclination) and the head's frontal-plane for locating the AP goals for the jaws and teeth (1986-1990)
18. The Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony™ (1985-1990)
19. A three dimensional and positionally correct classification system based on the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony™ (1988)
20. A definition for and quantification of what constitutes a normal and an abnormal malocclusion (1988)
21. The development of a glossary of modern orthodontic terms (1960 and ongoing)
22. The parallel growth theory (1989)
23. Straight Wire, The Concept and Appliance, textbook (L.A. Wells, Inc., 1989)

24. The Andrews™ Occlusofacial Simulator™ System, an articulator designed specifically for orthodontists
25. Diagnostic template
26. Andrews Foundation Five-Day Philosophy courses…teaching a complete orthodontic philosophy for orthodontists, including the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony™, the Occlusofacial Simulator™ articulator, and the new positionally correct three-dimensional classification system
27. The Orthodontic and Orofacial Harmony Journal scheduled for January 2000
28. A new computer generated diagnosis, treatment planning, and video imaging system, based on the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony™ and the Straight-Wire Appliance® scheduled for May 1999