Orthodontic Courses

Biomechanics: Applied Orthodontics Principles and Techniques

• Presents orthodontic concepts and biomechanical principles centered around the Angle Edgewise appliance and its variations
• Clinical application of auxiliary appliances is discussed to illustrate their mode of action, their clinical application and their limitations
• Biomechanical principles are illustrated in laboratory demonstrations and projects

Biomedical Imaging, Interpretation and Analysis

• Conventional cephalometric techniques, their historical development,and interpretation are complemented by a thorough understanding of landmark identification and shortcomings
• Digital acquisition, manipulation,and interpretation will parallel technological innovations
• Introduction to mathematically robust and non-reductionistic techniques. Medical imaging techniques and their application to oral biology are briefly described

Biomedical Imaging & Cephalometric Radiology

To discuss the following topics and laboratory procedures:

• Apparatus and most forms of biomedical imaging
• Methods of analysis of craniofacial growth
• Pattern analysis and an introduction to complex systems
• Clinical diagnosis and therapy
• Longitudinal growth studies
• Craniofacial changes which may influence diagnosis and therapy
• Morphometric methods of analysis

Bioprogressive Edgewise Therapy: An Introduction

• Presents the historical background in the development of the Bioprogressive technique, rationale for its development, how it interfaced with the other existing biomechanical techniques of the time, and its relation to the straightwire edgewise techniques popular today
• Presents an understanding of the basic principles, biological basis, and biomechanics, including prescription, wires, activation of the utility arch and sectionals, and treatment sequences as applied to different malocclusion types

Bioprogressive Edgewise Therapy: Advanced

• Reviews the Bioprogressive technique in clinical practice following preliminary clinical experience
• A thorough review of the treatment sequences applicable to the different types of malocclusions, as well as trouble-shooting discussions regarding difficulties experienced in the clinical applications of the technique, has been shown to be helpful
• Various ancillary appliances utilized in the Bioprogressive technique and others are discussed in detail as to their applicability in different situations, construction details, and activation
• Retention is considered as to philosophy, determination of readiness, and short and long-term goals

Craniofacial Deformities

Part I:  Cleft palate staffing; team diagnosis
Part II: Congenital malformations of the craniofacial complex and growth

• Congenital malformations of the jaws with particular emphasis placed on congenital clefts of the lips and palate
• Train orthodontists to serve as members of interdisciplinary teams of scientists to diagnose and treat cleft palate and facial growth problems
• Provide training in the clinical therapy of cleft palate patients in the orthodontic clinic
• Lecturers discuss embryology, etiology, and morphology of congenital facial malformations; postnatal growth problems and associated problems in respiration, deglutition, mastication, and speech; and, longitudinal growth studies revealing growth, development, functional and therapeutic changes, and the efficacy of the changes.

Craniofacial Growth and Development

Testing for a basic understanding of the embryological aspects of craniofacial development and tooth development begins a course through a myriad of topics including:

• Craniofacial growth theories; tensegrity, integrins, and the hierarchical extension of mechanical transduction
• Tissue engineering; developments in the field of nanotechnology; the endothelin pathway and human development; trauma and wound healing; cranial pneumatization
• Brain and eye growth effects on facial form; apoptosis; bioelectrical effects on bone growth, repair, and remodeling; nutritional and exercise effects
• Anthropological aspects of craniofacial morphology
• Growth factors and hormones; trauma; cognitive development; heritable traits and secular effects; molecular genetics; and distraction osteogenesis.

Craniofacial Growth and Development Seminar

• Study and review the prenatal embryogenesis, genetic control and postnatal morphogenesis of the craniofacial complex
• Study mechanisms of remodeling of the facial skeletal complex and development of the occlusion
• Other topics will include the biomechanics of bone growth and development, environmental factors, growth changes in the temporomandibular joint and surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies

Craniofacial Osteology and Myology

• Study bones and muscles of the craniofacial complex. Muscles are studied using a tracing technique depicting their bony relationships and functions
• Three-dimensional conceptualization of osteology and myology of the head and neck utilizing carving in wax of individual bones. Tracing individual muscle units on both lateral and frontal radiographs
• Embryology growth and development and its relationship to hand/wrist radiographs. Muscles and bones are organized into functional, anatomic units with respect to variation in depth

Dentofacial Deformities

• Focus on topics relative to diagnosis and treatment planning; etiology and morphology of dentofacial malformations; growth and development; and, current surgical concepts
• Several teaching philosophies are employed including case-based learning, problem-oriented learning, lectures, seminars with open discussion, and laboratory demonstrations

Development of the Human Occlusion

• Development, form and function of the human occlusion
• Postnatal development changes in the deciduous, transitional, and permanent dentitions
• Correlation between craniofacial growth and the development of the occlusion
• Mechanisms of tooth eruption and eruption sequences
• Growth and development of the teeth and dental arches, eruption patterns, and factors influencing the eruption of teeth
• Ideal occlusion and factors leading to its development
• Space and tooth analysis as related to treatment goals
• The third molar and its influence on orthodontic treatment
• Residents are required to do a literature review, an individual presentation, and a slide presentation

Histology

• To incorporate histology into various courses, core curriculum courses, lectures and seminars; and, to emphasize the histology of tooth movement .

Literature Review

• Critically discuss and analyze recent literature

Orthodontic Records

• Introduction to procedures required to gather sufficient information necessary to make a thorough diagnosis; and, to perfect the various record taking procedures between the scheduled seminar times
• Topics discussed include: photographic equipment requirements for program and procedures; intra- and extra-oral photographs; the orthodontic impression; orthodontic model trimming and polishing; the Nance analysis; the Bolton analysis; the diagnostic set-up; model x-ray analysis; introduction to cephalometrics and uses of the frontal and oblique films; use of the hand-wrist film; and, the clinical exam

Orthodontic Practice Management

• Principles of orthodontic practice management including practice marketing, practice analysis and accounting.

Periodontics/Prosthodontics/Orthodontics Seminar

• Diagnosis and treatment planning process of patients with interdisciplinary problems.

Practice Management: Position Selection

• Guidelines and assistance to residents in seeking employment, evaluating general and specific practice opportunities, and directing their focus toward what factors are primary and what are secondary in making location decisions
• The importance, availability, and timing of outside expertise is discussed, as well as evaluation of employment and purchase agreements. Although these discussions are conducted in a seminar-type environment, much individual counseling takes place as well, frequently on an on-going basis.

Research

• Second-year residents are required to complete and present a research paper for certification.

Seminars on Orthodontic Perspectives

• Teach first year residents treatment concepts from a light force, passive self-ligation perspective based on personal experience with the Damon System and traditional pre-adjusted edge-curve appliance. This seminar is initiated following the introductory sessions of the Applied Biomechanics Seminars.
• Topics include early treatment covering the guidance of eruption and spacing gaining as well as the appropriate timing for various types of facial orthopedics.
• Second year residents are taught advanced perspectives in differential diagnosis in more challenging cases along with the application of appropriate therapy.

Surgical Orthodontics

• Proper diagnosis and treatment procedures for patients with severe dentofacial deformities, not amenable to orthodontic or surgical treatment alone
• Diagnosis to determine the area and/or areas of deviation from acceptable normal variation; and, to institute joint clinical procedures to achieve the most optimal correction of the dentoskeletal deviations.
• Seminars and clinical treatment are conjointly conducted under the supervision of the staff of the oral surgery and orthodontic programs.

Surgical Treatment of TMJ Disorders/Differential Diagnosis of Head and Neck Pain

• For second year and TMJ residents
• Management of patients with temporomandibular disorders requires accurate diagnosis with the ability to establish a differential diagnosis. Understanding concomitant conditions can assist in diagnosis and provide guidance in patient management. Surgical management plays an integral role in the management of temporomandibular disorders. It also provides a direct method of correlating clinical and imaging findings.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

• For first and second year residents and TMJ residents
• Provides skills needed to understand the disease process and appropriate treatment alternatives for patients presenting with facial pain. The diagnosis and management of patients with facial pain requires a multidisciplinary approach. The scope of this series will be partially didactic and partially clinical.

Temporomandibular Joint Seminars

• For second year residents and TMJ residents
  The course will be divided in didactic and clinical sessions in order to provide some of the necessary skills needed to understand the rationale, outcome and complications of different splint treatment.

Temporomandibular Journal Review

• For TMJ residents
• Covers the current and past literature of the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders. Residents will review assigned papers and present reviews at each session.

Early Age Orthodontics - Diagnosis and Therapy

• Study and understand the growth and development of the dental occlusion from the embryonic stage to the development of the permanent dentition
• Develop diagnostic and treatment approaches of early developing malocclusions incident to disparate jaw growth relationships observable in the deciduous and transitional stages of dental maturation.
• Changes in the occlusion are correlated with growth changes of the craniofacial complex.
• Stresses significance of craniofacial growth on the relationship and position of the jaws relative to the development of the occlusion and/or malocclusion.

Transitional Dentition

• Study the methodology to identify the unique developmental characteristics associated with the individual patient during adolescence. This information is directly related to developing a more scientific approach to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Understanding Pain

• For second year residents and TMJ residents
• Review the literature on the history, theory and concepts of systemic pain and pain associated with temporomandibular disorders; the anatomic and physiologic basis of pain; the biochemistry of nociception as well as the physical and biological considerations of chronic and acute pain; and, the anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system