ALF requires a shift in thinking, not just a new appliance.Â
First, it requires proper training—not only in the ALF approach, but also in a thorough understanding of facial growth and development, airway considerations, cranial concepts, orofacial myology, and posture. Without solid diagnostic skills, it is easy to move too fast or in the wrong direction.
The ALF Therapy and the Cranial Concept 101 course is a powerful foundational building block and can get you started. From there, continued education and clinical experience are essential.
Second, at the beginning of your learning curve, it is important to allow enough chairside time. Early on, appointments will take longer because you are observing more, measuring more, and thinking more. This is normal and appropriate.Â
Third, it means starting with simple, well-chosen cases. Dentists who do best with ALF therapy resist the temptation to take on complex cases right away. Beginning with easier cases—such as children in the primary or early mixed dentition—reduces stress and allows for a smoother learning curve.
I will be happy to look at a case with you and provide feedback on how complex the treatment might be.
Equally important is patience: with the process, with the patient, and with yourself. ALF works in cooperation with the body’s adaptive capacity. Structural change takes time, and functional change even more so. Trying to speed things up often leads to frustration or unintended consequences.
Finally, successful ALF providers understand that this is a learning process, not a one-time skill acquisition. They ask questions, seek feedback, submit cases for review, and remain open to refining their approach. Over time, what initially feels slow and demanding becomes more intuitive, efficient, and deeply rewarding, as you begin to see changes in your patients that extend far beyond the oral cavity.
