The Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Course from the American Orthodontic Society (AOS) represents an ideal first step for general and pediatric dentists aiming to add orthodontics to their practice. Through this course, you can gain a solid foundation in both technical skills and practical application to expand your treatment offerings and achieve a successful orthodontic practice.
Learn the Core Principles of Orthodontics
The Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Course provides dentists with the fundamental principles of orthodontics they need to get started. Detailed lectures cover how to identify and classify malocclusion, analyze cephalometric data, and understand the biomechanics that drive tooth movement in straight wire treatment.
Such knowledge will allow you to safely use straight wire appliances, with insights into bracket design, torque, and tip mechanics. These concepts are presented in a clinical context to ensure that you have both the theory and the practical skills to apply techniques to real patients in an orthodontic practice setting.
Through this foundational approach, dentists can see how orthodontics can integrate with their existing general and pediatric dental care. From early diagnosis to occlusal relationships and growth patterns, you’ll learn how to guide interceptive and corrective treatments that deliver lasting oral health and patient satisfaction.
Respected industry instructor Dr. Brad Williams delivers the course, combining in-depth instruction with visual case examples. Under his guidance, you’ll be able to navigate the complex concepts required for effective orthodontic treatment at every stage.
Essentially, this basic orthodontic course sets the groundwork for dentists to implement straight wire treatment in a daily workflow. After completing this course, you’ll understand the key principles behind diagnostics, treatment sequencing, and bracket placement.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Hands-on training is a central focus of the AOS Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Course. It takes the fundamental classroom instruction you’ll receive and transforms it into real clinical ability. Participants practice the crucial techniques they’ll use in actual cases, including banding, bracketing, and placing separators.
Each session includes guided exercises that simulate real-world conditions. You’ll learn how to carry out procedures using the same tools you would use in a clinical setting. Physically bracketing and aligning teeth lets participants observe the relationship between bracket placement and overall treatment outcomes.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Brad Williams, you’ll engage in live demonstrations structured to instill and refine the precision and efficiency required for effective treatment. Immediate feedback helps you recognize and correct errors on the spot, giving you the confidence to apply newly acquired techniques in your everyday practice.
The course’s exercises cover a wide range of important aspects of treatment. That includes mechanics like bending archwires, using palatal expanders, and managing mixed dentition. You’ll learn how to evaluate and anticipate biomechanical response and choose the appropriate appliances to best suit patient needs.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned immediately. This course structure is designed to equip dentists with the assurance and readiness to start treating orthodontic cases in their own practices.
Build a Path for Advanced Learning
The AOS offers a variety of opportunities to suit any education journey, whether you’re just getting started with orthodontics or looking for more advanced coursework. By completing the Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Course, you can know you’re beginning your orthodontics education with the strongest base possible.
The course’s integrated framework covers diagnosis, appliance management, and case sequencing to equip you for basic orthodontic care. From there, you can seamlessly transition to advanced AOS courses.
By continuing your journey from this basic course, you can develop additional skills to tackle more complex cases. This lets you take on a broader range of patients at your practice while ensuring that they receive the highest quality care.
The world of orthodontics is always evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest techniques and developments. With a solid foundation in orthodontics, you’ll be able to take advantage of future opportunities that help you leverage the newest innovations in the field.
Starting your orthodontic continuing education journey with the AOS also unlocks further opportunities. For example, you can consider membership and AOS credentialing to join a powerful network and start developing your credibility and reputation as a reliable provider of orthodontic treatment.
Take the Next Step for the Future of Your Practice
If you’re looking to develop the skills and confidence to expand your treatments and serve as an orthodontic practice for your patients, the AOS Basic Comprehensive Straight Wire Course is a perfect place to start. Make the next move to advance your career and grow your practice by browsing our upcoming orthodontic courses today.
To learn more about our popular orthodontics courses for pediatric and general dentists, check out one of the upcoming events below.
