CYBERNETICS

Dr.Ameet.V

ORIGIN
Greek word KYBERNETES
(steersman)
Plato & Ampere
Norbart Weiner 1948
Science of control &
communication in animal &
machine

Cybernetics is the science that studies the

abstract principles of organization in
complex systems. It is concerned not so
much with what systems consist of, but
how they function.

Cybernetics focuses on how systems use

information, models, and control actions
to steer towards and maintain their goals,
while counteracting various disturbances.

The cybernetic theory postulates

that everything affects everything
& therefore organized living
systems never operate in an openloop manner

There is a dynamic motor control of

receptor sensitivity, receptor
orientation, stimulus selection &
sources of environmental stimuli

Black box concept

Input

Black Box

Output

Input

Transfer function

Output

Black box is the physiologic system under study

Input
Orthodontic,
Functional,
& orthopedic
appliances

Black Box
Genetically determined &
cybernetically organized
biologic features of
Phenomena characterizing,
inducing, or controlling
spontaneous & appliancemodulated growth relative
To the following:
Max. lengthening &
Widening
Mandible lengthening
Teeth movements

Output
Correction of
malocclusion &
Intermax.
malrelation

Pavlovian concept of
accommodation in biological
systems

Conditioning

Reinforcement

Habituation
Living animals respond passively to stimuli

Open Loop
Output has no effect on the input

Refutations
1. Steiner & Brown
The North
Carolina chain
gang

2. Post retention
Relapse

Principle of optimality
Laws of Energetics
Energy expenditure
Gravitational work
Kinetic energy
Mechanical/Functional efficiency

Prof. Alexandre G. Petrovic

National Institute Of Health &

Medical Research, Strasbourg, France

1977

1982

Morphophysiologic systems

Open loop

Closed loop

Regulator

Servosystem

Comparator

Feedback

Peripheral
Central
Positive
Negative

Closed Loop systems

Input

Regulation of effect

Measure of effect

Return of modified information

Closed Loop systems

Regulator Type of Closed Loop

Input is constant

Servosystem Type of Closed

Loop

Input varies across time

Components of a Servosystem
COMMAND

Reference Input Elements

Actuator, Coupling System,

Controlled System

Output
(Controlled Variable)

Central Comparator

Deviation Signal

Reference Input

COMPARATOR
(peripheral)
Performance
Analyzing
Elements

Performance

Growth of the craniofacial

region & the servosystem

Cartilage & its types

Primary

Secondary

Types of Cartilage
Primary

Types of Cartilage
Secondary

Primary Cartilage:
Axial skeleton
Epiphysis, Synchondrosis, Nasal Septum,
Ethmoid(lat masses), Sphenoid
Secondary Cartilage:
Condyle, Coronoid, Sutures,
Fracture Callus

Factors
influencing
Growth
Hormones

Primary
Cartilage

Secondary
Cartilage

Yes

Yes

Local Factors

No

Yes (Pre-

Orthopaedic
appliances

Only Direction

Direction and
Amount

(Chondroblasts
surrounded by
matrix)

chondroblasts
not surrounded
by matrix)

Condylar cartilage
Sarnat Akin to Epiphyseal

Stutzmann & Petrovic secondary

-

Response to local factors

Phylogenetic success
Fine tuning of occlusion

Cell types in condylar cartilage

1. Precursor
Skeletoblast
pleuripotent,
fibroblast like.
2. Prechondroblast
faster cell cycle,
matures into
Chondroblast
3. Preosteoblast

Double differentiating potential of

skeletoblasts

Relationship Between Lateral Pterygoid,

Retrodiscal Pad and Condyle

MENISCUS

LPM
RDP/
MTMF

Somatomedin & LPM Interaction

Evidence supporting the role of

LPM
Resection
EMG in monkeys
Microelectric stimulation of LPM
Post hyperpropulsor
Non fatigable fibers
Serial sarcomeres
Goret-Nicaise, Awn & Dhem
Voudouris

Retrodiscal Pad / MTMF

Jeanne J Stutzmann
1.Biomechanic role
2.Metabolic role

Biomechanic role
Posterior growth rotation
Supplementary lengthening
Paulsen, 1996

Metabolic role
Increase
Blood & Lymph flow
Open loop nutritive factors
Decrease
Cell catabolites
-ve feedback factors

The Face as a Servosystem

Input Maxillary dental arch

Output Adjustment of the position of mandibular

dental arch

The Face as a Servosystem

Release of
Hormones (Command)

LPM & RDP

(Coupling system)
Actuating
signal

Labionarinary muscles
Septal cart,Premax-frenum

OCCLUSION
Growth at condyle
( P.Comparator)
Output
(Controlled Variable)

Periodontium,
Teeth
Musculature
Joint

Actuator (Motor Cortex)

Brain
(sensory engram)

Position of Maxillary
Dental arch (Ref Input)

Deviation Signal

Mastication
(Performance)

Growth of the maxilla

Growth in
Length

Growth in
Width

Growth in Length:

Traction
SeptoPremaxillary
ligament

Growth of
Nasal Septum
Labio narinary
Muscles
Release of
STH
Somatomedin

Thrust

Induction

Growth of
Pre
Maxillary
extremity

Biomechanical
Anterior shift
Of premaxillary
bones

Growth of
PremaxilloMaxillary
suture

Protrusion of
Upper Incisors
Increased size
Of Tongue

Thrust
Protrusion of
Lower Incisors
Direct Action

Growth of
Maxillo
Palatine
suture

Growth in Width:
Growth of
Lateral cartilaginous
masses of Ethmoid

Release of
STH
Somatomedin

Outward growth
Of maxillary
bones

Growth of cartilage
B/w greater wings
& body of sphenoid

Increased size
Of Tongue

Outward shift of
Alveolus and
molars

Direct effect

Transverse
Separation of
premaxillae

Growth of
inter Pre
Maxillary
suture

Transverse
Separation of
Horizontal
Maxilla and
Palatine plates

Growth of
mid
Palatine
suture

Outward
Appositional
Bone
growth

Condylar cartilage growth

Peripheral comparator
Confrontation

Output

Intrinsic regulation of condylar

growth

Other Terms Related to a Servosystem

Gain

Output
Input

Amplification (Gain>1)

Attenuation (Gain <1)

1. Large amounts of
TESTOSTERONE
2. Small or large amounts of
2. Small amounts of
OESTROGEN
TESTOSTERONE
3. Large amounts of
3. Very small amounts of
CORTISONE
OESTROGEN
1. STH Somatomedin

Attractor

Cusp to fossa relation

Repeller

Cusp to cusp relation

Disturbances

Abnormal tooth position

Occlusal interferences
Arthritis
Muscle Inflammation
Periodontitis, Pulpitis

Peripheral Comparator
Before development of Occlusion:Sensory engram not developed
Servosystem does not operate
Genetic influence on mandibular
growth
Anodontia
After Development of Occlusion:Sensory engram forms
Peripheral comparator controls
growth

Discontinuities

Stable

Unstable

Catastrophe Theory

Stable

Bifurcation

Importance of Discontinuities

Growth prediction , treatment planning , decision making

Genome partially determines the phenome
Supports mixed dentition therapy

Mode of action of functional

Appliances
Functional appliance
LPM
Retrodiscal Pad
Growth stimulating factors
Lengthening of mandible

Two Types of Functional Appliances:

1) Activator, Postural hyperpropulsor, Frankel

appliance, Twin block, Bionator, Class II Elastics(?)

2) Herren activator, LSU activator, Harvold-Woodside

activator, Extra oral traction on the mandible.

FIRST GROUP:
Position mandible
Forward

Increased activity of
LPM and RDP

Less fatigable fibres in LPM

Oudet et al (1988)
Carlson et al (1990)

LPM helped to contract more by

Functional appliances.

CELLULAR LEVEL

1. Precursor
Skeletoblast
pleuripotent,
fibroblast like.
2. Prechondroblast
faster cell cycle,
matures into
Chondroblast

Chondroblasts lost

Increased
multiplication of
prechondroblasts

(surgically removed)

Local
control
prechondroblasts

over

multiplication

of

Originates from chondroblastic layer

Stutzman
&Petrovic
(1982, 1990)

Functional appliances (especially Class II elastics)

Increased activity of RDP

Increased nutrients and growth factors supplied
and inhibitors removed.
Increased mitoses and earlier hypertrophy of
chondroblasts.

Reduced negative feedback

signal reaching
prechondroblasts

Increased growth at the

condyle

Cytoplasmic junctions between skeletoblasts reduce.

Transmission of inhibitory factors reduce.

Increased mitotic rate and rate of differentiation into

prechondroblasts.

SECOND GROUP:
Position mandible forward , open in beyond rest
position.
No increase in activity of LPM
Herren (1953)
Auf der Maur (1978)

Yet there was an increase in growth

Two steps:
1) While appliance is worn:Forward position
Reduction of length of LPM
New sensory engram
2) While appliance is not worn:New sensory engram
Functioning in anterior position
Increased activity of RDP

Action of first group

while appliance is worn

Action of second

while appliance is not worn

group

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
1) Principle of optimality of function :Less relapse tendency if post orthodontic
treatment muscular activity produces a lower
deviation signal.

2) Removal of functional appliance when growth

is complete.

3) If removed when growth not complete Proper

intercuspation.

4) Understanding of when, and for how long a

particular functional appliance should be worn.
First group Full time
Second group Part time

5) Proper functioning of LPM and RDP important for

growth Proper parent counseling.

6) Utilization of high hormonal activity at puberty.

Drawbacks
1) Lot of importance on condyle:
Fracture?

2) Peripheral comparator (occlusion)

discrepancies may be overcome by Dentoalveolar

changes.

3) Occurrence of end on relation is seen often

4) Action of reverse pull headgear on maxilla

References
Auxologic categorization & chronobiologic
specification for the choice of appropriate
orthodontic treatment Alexander
Petrovic AJODO 1994 Feb.
LPM, TMF & postural hyperpropulsor in
growth of mandible J.J Stutzmann & A.J
Petrovic; Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop
May 1990;97;381-92

Treatment objectives & case

retention:Cybernetic & myometric
considerations Richard M. Jacobs;
AJO 1970;58:552-56
Dentofacial orthopedics with
functional appliances Graber,
Rakosi, Petrovic; 2nd
edition,1997,Mosby-year Book
Inc.:13-73