NOR was introduced by Professor Pedro Planas in his book, which its first edition was edited in Barcelona in 1986 (Pedro Planas: Rehabilitación Neuro-Oclusal, Ed. Salvat). This book represented all his professional experience. In 1992 he made a summary of this professional projects in the entrance speech at the Royal Academy of Medicine of Barcelona.

In these texts, he reflected his concerns about "solving the periodontal problem". He considered that a fundamental part of the etiology of this problem was non-balanced occlusion, especially when analyzing functional movements during mastication.

He also observed the importance of mastication in the development process and functional adaptation, which are key to achieve an occlusal balance.

The analysis and study of mastication is explained through the definition of the Planas Functional Masticatory Angle (PFMA).

At the beginning of his career, Professor Planas tried to adapt existing treatment methods to achieve his goals. However, lately he ended up developing his own treatment methodology which became really important in a wide range of treatment areas:

• Orthodontics: By molding child development to reach both esthetic and functional results through an appropiate balanced occlusion. In these interventions is fundamental to treat the patient through masticatory functional stimulation at a very early age (temporary dentition). Nevertheless, it is even applicable to adult patients.

• Prosthodontics: In full mouth and complex rehabilitations, besides an appropriate esthetic result accepted by the patient, the goal is to obtain a final occlusion as balanced as possible so the patient will benefit from an improved masticatory function, a general health condition and quality of life.

• Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ): Finally, an important treatment field is the one derived from Temporo-Mandibular Disorders (TMD). A fundamental factor to treat these dysfunctions will always be to achieve a correct masticatory function through a balanced occlusion.

Unfortunately, often times some new treatment modalities are negligent to occlusion and ignore masticatory function in the final result. Our treatment philosophies do not intend to rival with modern treatment protocols or new dental technologies.

Professor Planas described masticatory physiology through what he defined as laws. What is interesting about this laws for the clinician, is what they do from a pure clinical stand point. That is why you will be able to apply them immediately in your patients.
We will speak about three main concepts:

• Minimal Vertical Dimension Law: This law explains the Centric Relation position as well as the initial and final position of the masticatory cycle. We will determine which are the occlusal conditions that drive the mandible to a determined centric position.

• Planas Functional Masticatory Angle: It explains the masticatory efficiency of the patient. It allows the clinician to compare the masticatory function in both sides of the mouth. It will help the clinician to identify unilateral mastication patterns and its derived problems.

• Planas Development Laws: It will allow us to understand how masticatory function models morphology and function of the elements of the masticatory system. We will see how mastication will model maxillo-mandibullar bone bases and TMJ function. Also, Development Laws will explain how to guide and orient determined dental movements as well as how will model and establish the occlusal plane.

During this course, we will define the treatment elements that we utilize to control our patient's development inside our orthodontic treatment concepts. Although, we have to say that Professor Planas insisted in not understanding these treatments as orthodontic methods, but rather as the application of a concept that leads balanced occlusion through functional development.
We will speak about three main treatment elements:

• Selective grinding or Occlusal Balancing: With the application of this technique we try to mold and adapt the tooth occlusal surfaces. It can be done in permanent dentition but it will be especially interesting in temporary dentition. With this we will be able to control masticatory function and optimize occlusion to a better balance.

• Direct Tracks with composite resin: Following the same concept explained above, we can mold the occlusal surface of each tooth through additive techniques. This will allow us to control masticatory function and the mandibular position of the patient. This technique is usually applied in temporal dentition.

• Planas Appliances: Finally, we will introduce the Planas Appliances. We will start describing the Appliances with Tracks, but we will specially insist in the mechanism of this appliances which is what determines its functionality to obtained a balanced occlusion.

The entire presentation will logically be supported by a series of examples and clinical cases that will help to understand these concepts.