Can you really treat complex cases with aligners? “We’ve done a study of myextraction cases... when you do one or two sets of additional aligners, thenyou will be able to get everything to ideal” “I will never try to bring17 and 18 mesial to close space” “The staging that eachcompany does, it does make a difference. If your technician doesn’t understandhow to move the teeth in the right stages… it’s never going to happen” “If I have a patient whois not wearing the Class II elastics, then you can...
Jul 16, 2025•39 min
Interproximal Reduction, When, Why, and How | 9 MINUTE SUMMARY In this episode, I dive into the fundamentals of interproximal reduction(IPR) when to use it, why it matters, and how to do it effectively. We’ll cover how much IPR can safely be carried out, compare differentclinical protocols and their pros and cons, and take a critical look at howaligner software plans IPR (and where it may fall short). This summary is based on Dr. Flavia Artese’s insightful lecture at therecent American Associati...
Jun 25, 2025•10 min
Join me for a summary of CBCT use inorthodontics, where I look into the current risk of cancer with CBCT use, the differenceit can make to treatment planning, and the 3 most common incidental findingsorthodontists should be aware of. This was one my highlight lectures from lastyears British Orthodontic Conference by Consultant Dental Radiologist, SimonHarvey. How much radiation comes from dentalCBCT, medicine? Effective dose of modern machines: · Dose from full DPT with adigital system = 20-25µS...
May 07, 2025•9 min
Orthodontics In Interview: Aligners, Limited or Just Misunderstood? tommaso castroflorio “The biggest difference in overcoming the limitation (of aligners) is to understand how to control aligner deformation” “We need to improve the available knowledge about aligners, because we need to control the companies, we do not need companies controlling us” “I think you can treat also complex cases, in my practice I treat extraction cases” “There are limitations in every technique, I think that the good...
Apr 02, 2025•58 min
Join me for a summary of recent long-term research of resorbed teeth due to impacted canines. This podcast is based on an excellent lecture by Julia Naoumova delivered at last year’s British Orthodontic Conference. Part 2 with focus on the prognosis of resorbed teeth from impacted canines, and follows on from part 1 with explored outcomes of open Vs closed exposures of impacted canines – see here for part 1. Root resorption of incisors reported at 19-67% Erikson 2000 Walker 2005, Mitsea 2022 Ann...
Mar 05, 2025•4 min
Join me for a summary of the management of impacted canines, the latest evidence regarding different techniques for alignment. This podcast is based on an excellent lecture by Julia Naoumova delivered at last year’s British Orthodontic Conference. Part 1 will focus on recent findings of a modified open exposure technique Vs closed exposure, in terms of duration but also other key outcomes, health, pain, use of analgesics, time absent from school and costs. The next episode, part 2, will look at ...
Feb 19, 2025•7 min
Join me for a summary looking at remote monitoring in orthodontic clinical practice, and if it can improve, quicken and enhance orthodontic clinical practice. This podcast is based on an excellent webinar by Jonathan Sandler and Juan Carlos Varela, as part of the Angle-net webinar series. I discuss how Dental Monitoring works, the proposed advantages and a review of the emerging research on this innovation in orthodontics. What is Dental Monitoring? AI software which assesses occlusal and dental...
Feb 05, 2025•7 min
“We do not accept the weaknesses of out appliances as absolutes, but rather we adjust out treatment mechanics to account for them Mazyar Moshiri, “If you are not willing you use elastics – you are not able to get finishing like braces” Mazyar Moshiri “We cannot have a reasonable discussion of efficacy and accuracy until we study the appliance as orthodontic clinicians, and not as scientists Mazyar Moshiri Join me for the first summary of 2025, exploring finishing with clear aligners. Mazyar Mosh...
Jan 15, 2025•8 min
“it's a platform for mass customization ” “I think Lightforce system has more friction than it should right now.” “We operationalize great outcomes.” “People that need to have a Cochrane review to prove to themselves the sky is blue, those are not the people that should be using Lightforce right now” Alfred and I discuss his digital bonding system, Lightforce, we explore the product as well as the strength of the claims around it. Alfred replies to criticisms of the product as we explore the eme...
Dec 04, 2024•40 min
Join me for a look at CBCT and its use in the diagnosis of the transverse problem, and if it offers the solution to the debated topic. The podcast is based on a lecture by Chun Hsi Chung at this year’s AAO and appraises established methods of assessment, the Curve of Wilson and the WALA ridge line through the lens of a CBCT, as well as how to use a CBCT to assess the maxilla and mandible, which although revealed an ideal measurement, may not be telling the full story. What is ideal? inclination ...
Nov 13, 2024•6 min
Join me for a summary looking into the increasingly popular topic of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea, a review of orthodontic treatments available, and how effective they are in this growing field of both medicine and dentistry. This episode is a summary of Alberto Capriglio’s lecture from the AAO and Carlos Flores Mir’s lecture at the IOF earlier this year. OSA - Defined upper airway dysfunction causing complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep Sleep = Slow wave sleep – constructi...
Oct 23, 2024•8 min
Join me for a summary looking at The Posterior Bolton Discrepancy, a new take on the classic Bolton discrepancy. Wayne Bolton’s analysis has been critically appraised and the outcome from Patrick Foley and his team has been the formation of the posterior Bolton analysis, a new perspective on an established tool in orthodontics which seeks to give better insight into the location of tooth size discrepancies. He has also explored through his research the effects of premolar extractions and the lik...
Oct 02, 2024•6 min
Join me for a look into a recent digital innovation within orthodontics, Lightforce. I explore how the 3D printed labial bracket system works, the features and what the proposed advantages. Recent research exploring the advantages of Lightforce is discussed as well as my comparison to other digital innovations within orthodontic appliances. What is Lightforce · Manufacturing: 3D printed brackets Cad/Cam · Material: ceramic polycrystalline labial · Planning: Digital planning using Lightplan, visu...
Sep 11, 2024•7 min
Join me for a podcast summary looking at the effects of aligners when expansion occurs. In this podcast we will explore if bone loss occurs with expansion and why bone loss doesn’t necessarily cause recession. The podcast is based on the lecture and research by Greg Huang presented at this year’s AAO, and includes some more recent research on the topic PICO Population adults, 22 maxillary arches, 20 mandibular arches Intervention – expansion with aligners, average 3.7mm Control – minimal expansi...
Aug 21, 2024•7 min
“Airways are like TMD controversy on steroids ” “it amazes me we still think we can grow mandibles” “We have an appliance (expansion) and are trying to fit it into a diagnosis” “it is unethical to call yourself an airway orthodontist” Sanjivan describes why there is controversy in airways and orthodontics, where the research stands on treatment with expansion and mandibular advancement, can mouth breathing cause adverse development, the effects of extractions on the airway, as well as ethics wit...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Join me for a summary exploring an innovation of the use of bone-anchored plates in class 2 correction. This was a clinically novel idea presented by Hugo De Clerck, who has been an innovator in the use of bone-anchored plates and has published seminal papers on the topic for class 3 treatment. Hugo explores the use of bone-anchored plates in the mandible, combined with a Herbst appliance. He presents his data of 90 patients treated in Brussels by his research team. PROTOCOL Customised bone anch...
Jul 03, 2024•7 min
Join me for a summary looking into difficult movements with aligners, why they are difficult, and a protocol derived from research on how to manage tooth movements with aligners. This lecture was given by Bill Layman at this year’s AAO, where he describes maxillary incisor extrusion, posterior intrusion, and controlled expansion. Introduction · Rate of refinement: 2.5 per patient Kravitz 2022 · 41% of aligner cases 3 refinements + · Switch to fixed appliances from aligners 1 in 6 Kravitz 2022 St...
Jun 19, 2024•9 min
Join me for a summary looking at fixed versus removable functional appliances. This podcast sheds light on recent research comparing the main two types of functional appliances, which appliance offers the most advantages, and what patients think about the two appliance types. This was a lecture given by Ama Johal at last year’s British Orthodontic Conference, where the most recent evidence carried out by his PhD student Moaiyad Pacha. Moaiyad Pacha’s RCT 2023 – received Dewel 2024 clinical resea...
May 29, 2024•6 min
Join me for a summary podcast exploring the topic of white spot lesions, and up-to-date research looking at how to manage lesions when they occur, when the right time is to treat the patient, and what minimally evasive options can be used in clinic. This was an excellent lecture from Gayle Glenn earlier this year at the AAO winter meeting. Four treatment options are discussed, Fluoride, CPPACP (Mi paste), resin infiltrate and microabrasion. Whitespot lesion background WSL Definition - subsurface...
May 16, 2024•9 min
Join me for a summary exploring bullying and its relationship with malocclusion, with a contemporary review of evidence showing the psychological effects various malocclusions can cause young people. This podcast is a summary of Andrew DiBiase’s lecture last year at the British Orthodontic Conference. Andrew’s research explores what factors moderate bullying, and what factors can be protective against bullying. Introduction · Nearly 1 in 3 patients report teasing or fear of teasing as a motivati...
Apr 17, 2024•5 min
Orthodontics and TMD, what is the role of orthodontics? “if you give a splint, it will not cure the TMD ” “It depends on the adaptability of the patient” “The role of the patient in the treatment is very, very important” Roxana describes her journey into TMD and orthodontics , what led her to attend courses worldwide and also set up her own course on TMD. Roxana describes what has created the controversy in TMD management , and answers recent questions from the literature of the role of both ort...
Apr 03, 2024•38 min
Does whitening have a role in orthodontics? A popular cosmetic procedure which 1 in 4 adults partake in, and was proposed recently at a conference as part of finishing in orthodontics. So this podcast reviews whitening as a topic and the latest evidence in combining whitening with aligners. Reminder the podcast is an opinion piece and is the independent work of myself and the orthodontics in summary team. 24% of adults have whitening their teeth (dentalhealth.org) How does it work: Bleaching is ...
Mar 20, 2024•10 min
Join me for a summary of direct to print aligners. This lecture explores the application of a relatively new resin material which can be used for aligner fabrication, without the need of a 3D printed model. The lecture was given by Simon Graf who expertly compared the differences between conventional and direct to print aligners, as well as the clinical application of specific features of direct to print aligners. Limitations of current aligner material: 1. Only small undercuts 2. Limited aligne...
Feb 07, 2024•8 min
Join me for a summary looking at gingival recession in orthodontics, and whether it is detrimental or beneficial. This lecture was given by James Andrews, he explored the effect of orthodontics on the periodontium, an area under increasing interest within aesthetics to achieve the ideal ‘pink aesthetics’ with the increasing adult population receiving orthodontic treatment. His lecture was based on, is orthodontics good or bad for the gingiva? What is the starting point ? Increase in adult orthod...
Jan 24, 2024•6 min
Join me for a summary looking at miniscrews, looking at where the answer to successful TAD placement lies, in research or clinical practice. The reasons for higher failure rates than others with TADs was explored through 3 key factors; insertion torque, site selection and root proximity. Evaluation of both scientific and clinical processes were described by Sebastian Baumgartel at the British Orthodontic Conference, as the Northcroft lecture. Is torque a factor in TAD success? Torque study – com...
Dec 22, 2023•8 min
Join me for a summary of Tommaso’s lecture on aligner treatment, exploring questions on the use of aligners. Tommaso described how compliant patients are with the use of aligners, who is more likely to wear aligners well and methods to increase compliance. He critically reviewed the use of attachments, and revealed aligner deformation and staging as key areas of treatment. This podcast is a summary of the WFO online webinar from November patient compliance , biomechanics , rotation, distalisatio...
Dec 06, 2023•9 min
Join me for a podcast summary looking at the grey topic of lower third molar management. The podcast explores the different guidelines of removal, factors for consideration for removal as well as the effect orthodontics can have on third molar pathology. The lecture was given by Flavia Artese at this year’s British Orthodontic Conference in my city London. Flavia Artese began with asking the clincal question we face, what would you do with an impacted 3rd molar? Difference in international pract...
Oct 25, 2023•7 min
Join me for a podcast exploring the limits of orthodontic tooth movement. This podcast is a summary of two intriguing lectures, by Dr Yanqi Yang and Carlos Flores Mir from this year’s International Orthodontic Symposium by the IOF. This podcast explore the anatomical and periodontal boundaries of orthodontic tooth movement Anatomical boundary · Distalisation: Alveolar boundary lower molar distalization · Horizontal: Atrophic ridge. · Vertical: Maxillary sinus boundary for lower molar distalizati...
Oct 18, 2023•10 min
Orthodontics In Interview: RICHARD COUSLEY Digital orthodontics, miniscrews and aligners “Aligner set ups need to be orthodontically checked to make sure it is realistic, and an accurate representation of what you are trying to achieve” Richard describes his journey into digital orthodontics, what led him to create his own successful miniscrew system, and why he has continued to innovate in orthodontic with 3D printing. Richard describes what he thinks stifles innovation in orthodontics, as well...
Sep 28, 2023•38 min
Join me for a summary of two lectures from this year’s international orthodontic symposium (IOF), looking at mouth breathing and paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea, by Hong He and Carlos Flores Mir. The lectures explore this controversial area in both medicine and orthodontics and review the current understanding of the topic, the relationship with facial features and current recommendations for orthodontists. OSA is defined disruption to breathing American Academy of Sleep Medicine Adult > ...
Aug 16, 2023•7 min
