Invest in your future with the Intermediate Straight Wire Course.

Orthodontic treatment can range significantly in complexity. Some orthodontic courses for general dentists only leave you prepared to handle the most basic cases. 

To equip you for a broader range of cases, the American Orthodontic Society (AOS) offers the Intermediate Straight Wire Course for dentists. This course can help you further develop your skills and knowledge, from Class III malocclusion treatment and archwire bending to molar distalization and closing spaces for extractions. 

Take a closer look at these four key ways that this essential course can benefit your practice:

1. Master Class III Malocclusion Treatment

The best orthodontic courses for general dentists focus on practical treatment, and this course expands your horizons by going beyond the Class I and Class II malocclusion that basic courses feature. You’ll learn how to properly diagnose and treat more complex Class III malocclusion, letting you handle a broader range of cases.

Class III malocclusion produces a significant underbite, often leaving patients self-conscious about their smiles. They also face an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease due to more challenging oral hygiene. Functional issues, such as chewing and speech difficulties, are also common with Class III malocclusion.

Developing the skills to handle these cases through the AOS Intermediate Straight Wire Course for dentists allows you to help these patients in-house instead of referring them to a specialist. You’ll learn the proper treatment planning processes and orthodontic techniques to provide effective care and achieve quality long-term outcomes.

2. Achieve proficiency in archwire bending and torquing.

Proficiency in archwire bending and torquing is essential to providing effective orthodontic treatment and carefully guiding teeth into their proper positions, even in complex cases. There is a delicate balance of form and tension that must be achieved to carry out orthodontic treatment plans.

Through the course, you will explore the principles behind archwire manipulation. You’ll also develop hands-on experience, which is essential for this highly skilled process. The course can give you the ability to adapt methods to a wide range of clinical scenarios.

In the end, you’ll leave your patients with healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smiles. You’ll be able to take a more refined approach to archwire manipulation, helping support both the teeth and jaw throughout any treatment plan.

3. Learn comprehensive knowledge of molar distalization, repositioning, and extraction.

Molar distalization is among the most challenging tooth movements required for effective orthodontic treatment. To carry out this process effectively, dentists require knowledge and experience in recognizing when distalization is required and how to approach it the right way.

Effective molar distalization makes it possible to manage the space within the dental arch while avoiding extraction. The course will provide insight into how to properly determine which cases call for distalization, and which require extraction instead. Dentists will also learn about the variety of appliances that can be used for this method.

Additionally, the course includes practical demonstrations and physical exercises concerning appliances for distalization. This includes D-2 distalizer appliances and lower multi-distalizing appliances (MDA). Dentists will leave the course able to identify cases that require these appliances and apply them properly.

This unlocks another important asset for dentists when carrying out treatment planning. There are many cases of Class II malocclusion where extraction first seems to be a likely outcome. However, molar distalization can often help patients retain their natural teeth, providing the best long-term oral health outlook.

4. Discover how to close spaces for extractions.

Extraction is sometimes the only feasible option to support a patient’s health and development. In those cases, orthodontic treatment may be a suitable solution to close spaces and ensure a functional, healthy, and beautiful smile. The approach to closure is complex and must be carefully planned, implemented, and timed to achieve results.

This method requires a thorough understanding of the biomechanics of space closure. Force and direction must be minutely controlled, and a variety of techniques are used to achieve this. Through the course, dentists will learn how to identify appropriate cases for this approach and understand which methods are most suitable.

Dentists will also learn closed arch mechanics vital for expanding and opening space, including the practical use of appliances. Carefully adjusting the height and placement of loops to ensure proper moment-to-force ratio and other technical topics are explored, equipping dentists with the technical knowledge needed to plan and carry out treatment.

The course also covers transverse expansion using .040 SS wire, often known as “Big Daddy.” This robust method can be used to widen the dental arch and create space. This wire is used in challenging cases where significant force is required, with the construction and diameter of the wire supporting those forces effectively.

Build the skills you need for quality orthodontic treatment with our intermediate straight wire course.

Developing your skills for handling Class III malocclusion treatment, archwire bending, molar distalization, and closing spaces for extractions is vital for providing quality orthodontic treatment in your practice.

Are you interested in offering comprehensive care for your patients under one roof? The right courses can help you advance your capabilities and enhance your practice significantly. Invest in your growth, and register for the American Orthodontic Society’s Intermediate Straight Wire Course for dentists today.