Foundations of Orthodontics for General Dentists

Foundations of Orthodontics for General Dentists

Module 1: Introduction to Orthodontics

Day 1 (Theory):

  • History and scope of orthodontics
  • Role of general dentists in early orthodontic evaluation
  • Overview of treatment goals and phases
  • Communication with patients and orthodontic specialists

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case review: before-and-after orthodontic cases
  • Group discussion: when to refer and when to monitor
  • Introduction to orthodontic documentation

Module 2: Growth and Development of the Craniofacial Complex

Week 3

‍

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Basics of facial growth and dental development
  • Eruption sequences and timing
  • Growth-related changes in the dentition
  • Recognizing deviations from normal growth

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Dental age estimation using radiographs
  • Growth prediction exercises using case scenarios
  • Charting eruption patterns in children and adolescents

Module 3: Classification and Diagnosis of Malocclusion

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Normal occlusion vs. malocclusion
  • Angle’s classification system (Class I, II)
  • Skeletal vs. dental discrepancies
  • Components of orthodontic diagnosis

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case-based identification of malocclusion types
  • Occlusion mapping on dental casts
  • Cephalometric landmark tracing demo

Day 1 (Theory): Normal occlusion vs. malocclusion Angle’s classification system (Class I, II) Skeletal vs. dental discrepancies Components of orthodontic diagnosis Day 2 (Workshop): Case-based identification of malocclusion types Occlusion mapping on dental casts Cephalometric landmark tracing demo

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Components of orthodontic clinical examination
  • Extraoral and intraoral evaluation techniques
  • Medical and dental history relevant to orthodontic care
  • Overview of diagnostic records: photographs, impressions, radiographs
  • Introduction to panoramic and cephalometric radiographs and their interpretation

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Hands-on: conducting orthodontic clinical examination
  • Photographing patients for orthodontic records
  • Demonstration: impression taking and digital scanning

Module 5: Treatment Planning and Timing

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Phases of orthodontic treatment
  • Early vs. late treatment
  • Simple vs. complex case criteria

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Creating timelines for cases
  • Drafting treatment objectives
  • Identifying indicators for interceptive treatment

Module 6: Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Classification of orthodontic treatment types:
    • Comprehensive orthodontic treatment
    • Limited treatment
    • Preventive orthodontic care
    • Interceptive orthodontic care
  • Indications and goals for each treatment type
  • The role of general dentists in treatment triage and patient education

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case analysis: matching treatment types to patient scenarios
  • Group discussion: when to monitor, when to refer
  • Role-play: communicating treatment scope and limitations to patients
  • Aligning treatment plans with growth and dental development stage

Module 7: Orthodontic Appliances

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Overview of orthodontic appliance types
  • Fixed appliances: brackets, bands, archwires
  • Removable appliances: retainers, functional appliances
  • Clear aligners: indications and limitations
  • Selection of appliances based on treatment goals

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Hands-on: identifying appliance components
  • Demonstration: bonding brackets on models
  • Group activity: matching appliance type to malocclusion case
  • Appliance handling and patient instruction practice

Module 8: Referral and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Week 14

‍

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Principles of referral in orthodontics
  • Limits of general practice in orthodontic treatment
  • Effective communication with specialists

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Referral documentation and justification
  • Case-based referral simulation
  • Role-play: talking to patients about referral

Module 9: Final Assessment & Certification

‍Week 15‍

  • Final exam
  • Case discussions
  • Practical study book (log book) submission

Module 10: Diagnosis

Theory:

  • Medically compromised patients
  • Extraoral/intraoral examination
  • Smile esthetics, photography, radiology, cephalometrics

Workshop:

  • Case discussion (diagnosis)
  • Diagnostic sheet (problem list, aims & objectives)
  • Errors in photography
  • Cephalometric analysis/interpretation

Module 11: Treatment Planning

Theory:

  • Principles of treatment planning
  • Space creation techniques
  • Extraction protocols
  • Space analysis and anchorage (TADs)

Workshop:

  • Case discussion (treatment planning)
  • Case discussion (space analysis)

Module 12: Principles of Biomechanics

Theory:

  • Force delivery system
  • Orthodontic force concepts: center of resistance, moment, couple, and force ratios

Workshop:

  • Biomechanical analysis of different orthodontic mechanics

Module 13: Dental Anomalies & Transverse/Vertical Problems

Theory:

  • Management of impacted teeth
  • Hypodontia
  • Transverse and vertical problems

Workshop:

  • Clinical case planning of impactions
  • Bonding and activation protocols
  • Use of RME (Rapid Maxillary Expansion)

Module 14: Class II, Class III, Orthognathic Surgery

Theory:

  • Management of Class II and III malocclusion
  • Asymmetry cases
  • Coordination between orthodontics and orthognathic surgery

Workshop:

  • Guidelines for surgical camouflage and surgery

Module 15: Clear Aligner Therapy – Clinical Protocols & Biomechanics

Theory:

  • Biomechanics of tooth movement with clear aligners
  • Indications, limitations, and case selection
  • Staging, attachments, and IPR

Workshop:

  • Planning using ClinCheck/Invisalign or similar software
  • Hands-on attachment placement, IPR on typodonts
  • Reviewing and correcting mid-treatment outcomes

Module 16: Final Assessment & Certification (Advanced Level)

  • Final exam
  • Case-based discussions
  • Practical logbook review

Module 1: Introduction to Orthodontics

Day 1 (Theory):

  • History and scope of orthodontics
  • Role of general dentists in early orthodontic evaluation
  • Overview of treatment goals and phases
  • Communication with patients and orthodontic specialists

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case review: before-and-after orthodontic cases
  • Group discussion: when to refer and when to monitor
  • Introduction to orthodontic documentation

Module 2: Growth and Development of the Craniofacial Complex

Week 3

‍

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Basics of facial growth and dental development
  • Eruption sequences and timing
  • Growth-related changes in the dentition
  • Recognizing deviations from normal growth

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Dental age estimation using radiographs
  • Growth prediction exercises using case scenarios
  • Charting eruption patterns in children and adolescents

Module 3: Classification and Diagnosis of Malocclusion

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Normal occlusion vs. malocclusion
  • Angle’s classification system (Class I, II)
  • Skeletal vs. dental discrepancies
  • Components of orthodontic diagnosis

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case-based identification of malocclusion types
  • Occlusion mapping on dental casts
  • Cephalometric landmark tracing demo

Day 1 (Theory): Normal occlusion vs. malocclusion Angle’s classification system (Class I, II) Skeletal vs. dental discrepancies Components of orthodontic diagnosis Day 2 (Workshop): Case-based identification of malocclusion types Occlusion mapping on dental casts Cephalometric landmark tracing demo

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Components of orthodontic clinical examination
  • Extraoral and intraoral evaluation techniques
  • Medical and dental history relevant to orthodontic care
  • Overview of diagnostic records: photographs, impressions, radiographs
  • Introduction to panoramic and cephalometric radiographs and their interpretation

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Hands-on: conducting orthodontic clinical examination
  • Photographing patients for orthodontic records
  • Demonstration: impression taking and digital scanning

Module 5: Treatment Planning and Timing

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Phases of orthodontic treatment
  • Early vs. late treatment
  • Simple vs. complex case criteria

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Creating timelines for cases
  • Drafting treatment objectives
  • Identifying indicators for interceptive treatment

Module 6: Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Classification of orthodontic treatment types:
    • Comprehensive orthodontic treatment
    • Limited treatment
    • Preventive orthodontic care
    • Interceptive orthodontic care
  • Indications and goals for each treatment type
  • The role of general dentists in treatment triage and patient education

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Case analysis: matching treatment types to patient scenarios
  • Group discussion: when to monitor, when to refer
  • Role-play: communicating treatment scope and limitations to patients
  • Aligning treatment plans with growth and dental development stage

Module 7: Orthodontic Appliances

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Overview of orthodontic appliance types
  • Fixed appliances: brackets, bands, archwires
  • Removable appliances: retainers, functional appliances
  • Clear aligners: indications and limitations
  • Selection of appliances based on treatment goals

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Hands-on: identifying appliance components
  • Demonstration: bonding brackets on models
  • Group activity: matching appliance type to malocclusion case
  • Appliance handling and patient instruction practice

Module 8: Referral and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Week 14

‍

Day 1 (Theory):

  • Principles of referral in orthodontics
  • Limits of general practice in orthodontic treatment
  • Effective communication with specialists

Day 2 (Workshop):

  • Referral documentation and justification
  • Case-based referral simulation
  • Role-play: talking to patients about referral

Module 9: Final Assessment & Certification

‍Week 15‍

  • Final exam
  • Case discussions
  • Practical study book (log book) submission

Module 10: Diagnosis

Theory:

  • Medically compromised patients
  • Extraoral/intraoral examination
  • Smile esthetics, photography, radiology, cephalometrics

Workshop:

  • Case discussion (diagnosis)
  • Diagnostic sheet (problem list, aims & objectives)
  • Errors in photography
  • Cephalometric analysis/interpretation

Module 11: Treatment Planning

Theory:

  • Principles of treatment planning
  • Space creation techniques
  • Extraction protocols
  • Space analysis and anchorage (TADs)

Workshop:

  • Case discussion (treatment planning)
  • Case discussion (space analysis)

Module 12: Principles of Biomechanics

Theory:

  • Force delivery system
  • Orthodontic force concepts: center of resistance, moment, couple, and force ratios

Workshop:

  • Biomechanical analysis of different orthodontic mechanics

Module 13: Dental Anomalies & Transverse/Vertical Problems

Theory:

  • Management of impacted teeth
  • Hypodontia
  • Transverse and vertical problems

Workshop:

  • Clinical case planning of impactions
  • Bonding and activation protocols
  • Use of RME (Rapid Maxillary Expansion)

Module 14: Class II, Class III, Orthognathic Surgery

Theory:

  • Management of Class II and III malocclusion
  • Asymmetry cases
  • Coordination between orthodontics and orthognathic surgery

Workshop:

  • Guidelines for surgical camouflage and surgery

Module 15: Clear Aligner Therapy – Clinical Protocols & Biomechanics

Theory:

  • Biomechanics of tooth movement with clear aligners
  • Indications, limitations, and case selection
  • Staging, attachments, and IPR

Workshop:

  • Planning using ClinCheck/Invisalign or similar software
  • Hands-on attachment placement, IPR on typodonts
  • Reviewing and correcting mid-treatment outcomes

Module 16: Final Assessment & Certification (Advanced Level)

  • Final exam
  • Case-based discussions
  • Practical logbook review