Robert M. Ricketts

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 Rickett's Cephalometric Analysis ^[2] and an .018 in slot of Orthodontic Bracket. His research focused on the growth, structural variation of the face and jaws.

Life

He 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 1 year. He obtained his Dental Degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1945. He then joined Navy as a dentist for 2 years and eventually went to University of Illinois to study Orthodontics under Dr. Allan G. Brodie . He obtained his Masters in 1947.

He was a professor of many universities in the world such as Loma Linda University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Southern California etc. During his lifetime, he was member of 17 Professional Societies and he's given 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. Dr. Ricketts was married twice and is survived by four children,Robin, Gale, Craig and Anastar.

Orthodontics

Dr. Ricketts contributions in Orthodontics started in the 1950s. During that era, Dr. Alan Brodie and Dr. Holly Broadbent Sr. believed in using cephalometric radiographs for longitudinal studies rather than clinical application of these x-rays. Dr. Ricketts, views were contrary to both the orthodontist and therefore he published two papers in 1960 which he showed his work of using cephalometric x-rays on 1000 patients in his clinic.^[3] Below are some of his contributions to the field of Orthodontics.

• Developed the first straight wire bracket .018 inch slot in 1970.
• Developed Rickett's Cephalometric Analysis which allowed a clinician to compare their patients with norms based on age, sex, and race.
• Developed the first cephalometric system to forecast treatment result plus growth in treatment planning (VTO) along with Carl F. Gugino
• Developed the Pentamorphine arches which are 5 different arch forms individualized to different patients
• Developed the Root ratings based upon the works of Miura and Lee to quantify the forces necessary to move teeth in any plane of space
• Developed Rickett's Utility Arch
• Developed computerized cephalometric analysis
• Developed the concept of the Bioprogressive Philosophy with Carl Gugino and Ruel Bench.^[4]

Dr. Rickett's has published over 30 books.^[5] Nine of this books (3 volumes) were on the Cranio-Facial Orthopedics. He also wrote a personal narrative called The Reappearing American which was published in 1993.^[6]

Bioprogressive Therapy

Dr. Rickett's 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 which were divided into the "four" sciences known as Social, Biological, Clinical and Mechanical.^[7][8] Some of the principles of this philosophy includes

• The therapy stressed important of diagnosis and treatment in orthodontics with the application of the Visual Treatment Objective (VTO) and evaluating anchorage control during the therapy.
• Torque Control throughout the treatment which leads to more efficient treatment
• Muscular and Cortical Bone Anchorage
• A proper application of pressure in relation to movement of teeth in various direction
• Treatment of overbite before the overjet
• Sectional Arch treatment where treatment in one arch can be broken down into various segments.
• Overtreatment in order to overcome the tendency of relapse.
• Pre-fabricated appliance allows a clinician to focus more time delivering the appliance than constructing it.

Morganics

Dr. Ricketts was the first person in United States to prescribe the nutritional supplements in the 1950s in his Orthodontic and Orthopedic Practice. Later on, he developed a nutritional community and eventually due to his contributions in the field of Microbiology and Chemistry, Morganics (Nutrition Supplement) was developed. The company Morganics was founded in 1993 and is currently based out of Phoenix, Arizona.^[9]

Awards and Recognition

• Diplomate of American Board of Orthodontics
• Merit Award - American Society of Dentistry for Children
• William Cogswell Distinguished Service Award in Oral Surgery
• Albert H. Ketcham Award in 1975
• John Mershon Lecturer in 1976
• Associated Journals of Europe Award in 1983
• Strang Award - Connecticut State Society of Orthodontics
• Joe Peak Honor lecturer in 1999 at the Southwestern Society of Orthodontics Annual Session
• Waldron Lecturer Award - American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Positions

• Rocky Mountain Data Systems - Vice President and Director of Research
• American Institute for Bioprogressive Education - Founder

References

1. ↑ Senior, Winston B. (2003-11-08). "Robert Murray Ricketts". British Dental Journal. 195 (9): 545–545. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4810673. ISSN 0007-0610. 
2. ↑ Ricketts, Robert (2 April 1981). "Perspectives in the Clinical Application of Orthodontics". Angle Orthodontist. 
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, ROBERTS 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. 
8. ↑ Ricketts, Robert Murray (1964-10-01). "The keystone triad". American Journal of Orthodontics. 50 (10). doi:10.1016/0002-9416(64)90079-X. ISSN 0002-9416. 
9. ↑ "Morganics Home". www.morganics.com. Retrieved 2016-06-25.