Synopsis:

Clear aligner therapy has become a popular treatment modality in dentistry which can offer significant benefits to our patients when sound orthodontic principles are followed. This lecture aims to provide information on clear aligner therapy from two viewpoints: the perspective of the general dentist who routinely uses orthodontic tooth movement to enhance clinical outcomes and the orthodontic specialist perspective. This lecture will compare and contrast various concepts in orthodontics from a historical and clinical/scientific perspective as well as provide open discussion on the topic of clear aligners in a non-biased, evidence-based format.

Learning objectives:

After participating in this session, attendees should be able to:

● Understand the historical aspects of clear aligner therapy in the discipline of orthodontics

● Identify clinical scenarios where clear aligner therapy may be an appropriate treatment

● Understand the risks, benefits, and limitations of clear aligner therapy

Presenter Bios:

Dr.Deshpande is a certified specialist in Orthodontics practicing in Mississauga and Ajax, Ontario since 2010. Originally from India, where he was trained as an orthodontist, he later on completed his dental board certification as a general dentist in 1998 here in Ontario. He practised as a general dentist from 1998 to 2008 with focus on orthodontics. He then went on to complete an orthodontic residency in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Toronto in 2008 and completed his board certification in 2010. He has restricted his practice to orthodontics since. He is a clinical instructor at the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto since 2010. In addition to teaching, he is passionate about professional advocacy and continuing education. Dr.Deshpande has recently completed his term as the president of the Ontario Association of Orthodontists (OAO) and is now the current Ontario director for the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists (GLAO). He is the immediate past president of the Toronto Orthodontic Club (TOC), the oldest orthodontic study club in North America. Dr.Deshpande was recently inducted as a fellow in International College of Dentists ( FICD ) and American College of Dentists ( FICD ) for his leadership, dedication and commitment to our dental profession. He is a professor emeritus in orthodontics at DY Patil College, Pune, India. He is a proud volunteer orthodontist at Smiles Changes Lives, Smiles 4 Canada and Restoring Smiles foundation which offers free orthodontic care to underprivileged youth and women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Over the last 25 years, Dr. Deshpande has lectured nationally and internationally on different orthodontic topics and published articles in peer reviewed journals. He has treated thousands of orthodontic cases over the last 2 decades. His practice focuses on advanced and complex orthodontic treatments using fixed appliance treatment, various types of clear aligner appliances, early and mixed dentition treatment, management of TMD and surgical orthodontics for dentofacial deformity corrections and sleep apnea management. Having worked as a general dentist with focus on orthodontic treatment for the initial 10 years in Ontario, Dr. Deshpande is able to understand the needs and wants of family dentists interested in adding clear aligner therapy to their box of tools and will be sharing his clinical pearls.

Dr. Schmidt is a general dentist who has dedicated himself to improving patient care and restorative treatment outcomes by utilizing orthodontic treatment concepts in conjunction with other treatment modalities to ensure long-lasting results when teeth are placed into ideal positions. Dr. Schmidt obtained his Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1982 at the University of Toronto, followed by two years of engineering (Materials and Metallurgical Science). He left engineering for dentistry, and graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto in 1988. He has been in private practice with his wife, Tamara Sosath for the past 33 years and has attended multiple courses through International Straight Wire and Orthopaedic Seminars from 1995-2017 as well as obtained a diploma in clinical orthodontics issued by IDAP, S.C. in 2010.

Dr. Schmidt has been a presenter at multiple national and international events including the Invisalign GP Summit (semi-finalist 2013, 2019, 2021 and finalist in 2015), Moyers Symposium at the University of Michigan (2015, 2016, 2022), and presenting for Align Canada at Headwaters Dental Society with a recent presentation entitled “Rescue the Compromised Dentition”. Dr. Schmidt is a member of SPEAR education since 2014, a contributor to the American Academy of Clear Aligners journal, a previous contributor to Dentistry Today, the developer of the ‘Orthodontic Dentistry Study Club’ and a fellow of the American College of Dentists.

Dr. Schmidt enjoys all aspects of dentistry, but his first love is orthodontics.

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