The goal of the course is to teach students malocclusion diagnosis, orthodontic biomechanics and therapy.
Orthodontic history and clinical examination; analysis of study models; functional analysis; photography in orthodontics; cephalometric analysis; assessment of the need for orthodontic therapy; Possibilities of malocclusion therapy (class I, class II /1, class II /2, class III malocclusions, transversal malocclusion, vertical malocclusion); Congenital anomalies of the dentofacial complex; The influence of anomalies in the number and shape of teeth on the development of the dentition and the possibilities of therapy; Preventive measures in orthodontics; Interceptive orthodontics; Physiology of mineralized tissues and response to applied force; Types of forces and displacements in orthodontics, adverse effects of orthodontic therapy; Principles of biomechanics in orthodontics; Retention and relapse; Oral hygiene protocol in orthodontics; Therapy plan, patient cooperation and motivation.
Required course materials:
- Špalj S i sur. Ortodontski priručnik. Rijeka: Medicinski fakultet; 2012. (Drugi dio – Ortodontska dijagnostika str. 122-220)
- Proffit WR i sur. Ortodoncija. Jastrebarsko: Naklada Slap; 2010. (Treći-šesti dio od Dijagnoze do uključivo Sveobuhvatne terapije str. 165-634)
Supplemental course materials:
- Nanda R. Esthetics and biomechanics in orthodontics. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2015.
- McNamara JA Jr, Burdon WL. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Ann Arbor: Needham Press Inc; 2001.
- Bishara SE. Textbook of orthodontics. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Master the technique of taking alginate impressions in children and adolescents and registration of habitual occlusion
2. Master the analysis of orthopantomograms
3. Perform analysis of lateral cephalogram under supervision
4. Take intraoral and extraoral photos of the patient
5. Critically evaluate the need for orthodontic therapy
6. Assess the right time to refer the child to an orthodontist
7. Adapt the implementation of oral hygiene to the patient with an orthodontic appliance
