Orthodontics

The undergraduate orthodontics program at UT Health San Antonio is one of the most progressive predoctoral orthodontic training programs in the country. Emphasis is placed on the role of orthodontics in the practice of general dentistry; this includes limited tooth movement to facilitate restorative procedures and periodontal treatment, as well as esthetic realignment of teeth.

 In the fall semester of the sophomore year, students begin their orthodontic training by participating in a comprehensive growth and development course. In the spring semester, a comprehensive lecture course introduces students to the classification of malocclusion, the epidemiology of occlusal disharmonies, orthodontic analyses for diagnosing and planning of limited orthodontic treatment, and the biomechanics and biology of orthodontic tooth movement. Students have the option of participating in an elective pre-clinical orthodontic technique course which prepares them to perform limited orthodontic procedures in their junior and senior years. Successful completion of the pre-clinical course also qualifies the student to become certified in limited invisible orthodontic appliance techniques.

In the fall of the junior year, students attend a dynamic lecture course which builds on the knowledge acquired in the previous year. The course includes small group problem-based case analysis seminars. Great emphasis is placed on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning for both children and adults. Students learns to analyze the appropriate orthodontic diagnostic records and translate the data into problem lists. This will enable the student to determine the degree of the dentofacial disharmony, the timing for the orthodontic intervention, and whether a general dentist or an orthodontist should provide the treatment. Comprehensive orthodontic, interdisciplinary dentistry, and surgical orthodontics are introduced to indicate the scope of the orthodontic specialty and the key role played by the general practitioner when referring his or her patients.

Complementing the basic orthodontic core curriculum is an exciting “cutting edge” literature review course and two graduate clinic rotations which are offered as electives to those junior and senior students who are considering specializing in orthodontics.

Program Director

Brent Callegari, D.D.S., M.S.

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The orthodontics department's postdoctoral program offers a thirty-five month residency for advanced training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. This program is designed to offer a broad spectrum of clinical, didactic, research, and teaching experience in the field. The emphasis of the program is placed on strong clinical and scholarly skills. The training program meets the formal requirements for eligibility to take the Phase II and Phase III portions of the American Board of Orthodontics.

 Our program trains residents with a broad knowledge and understanding of research methodology, growth and development, diagnosis and treatment planning, biomechanics, craniofacial anomalies, interdisciplinary dentistry, surgical orthodontics, and teaching. Patient care is conducted in the clinic of the Orthodontic Department. Facilities are available for complex radiographic and diagnostic imaging. Patients are screened in the clinic and accepted for treatment based on the difficulty, educational benefit, and needs of the residents. Treatment cases will represent a cross-section of the cases encountered in private practice. This clinical experience combined with the research and teaching experience ensures that the residents’ education is well rounded. The graduating resident is well prepared to contribute to their local dental community.

The first year is composed primarily of small group seminars and lectures combined with clinical experience in preparing and initiating treatment of comprehensive orthodontic cases. The program begins in late June or early July with exposure to research methodology, introduction to orthodontic technique, and clinical procedures. As the semester continues, the clinic is started and patients are assigned to each resident. The didactic portion continues in the fall with diagnosis and treatment planning and biomedical core course. Patient assignments throughout the program will be adjusted to guarantee that each resident has a diverse caseload.

The second year involves clinical rotations, seminars, and teaching activities. Patient care continues throughout the second year. The residents gain academic experience through teaching in the predoctoral clinic and orthodontic lab/lecture course which runs the entire year. In the summer, didactics begin with surgical orthodontics and current topics discussion. The fall semester includes current topics and courses begin on craniofacial anomalies and interdisciplinary dentistry. The spring expands on current topics and interdisciplinary dentistry. At the end of summer, the residents are examined to determine how each individual is progressing in the program and to provide feedback.

The third year is focused on completion of treatment for the resident's patient population, research, and exposure to practice management. At the end of the year the residents should be prepared to take the Phase II portion of the American Board of Orthodontics. The residents present case reviews, which allow in-depth review of treatment and outcomes provided to the patient population in the clinic. Practice management reviews and examines aspects of traditional private practice and other options available upon completion. Office visits to practitioners in the area allows for outside exposure to practices.

This is a 35 month certificate program with the option of pursuing a master's degree. This degree may be completed through programs that exist in the Health Science Center and/or at other Colleges/Universities throughout the San Antonio area. These programs include, but are not limited to, basic science, clinical research, public health and education. Each resident is responsible for paying the clinic usage fee $14,100 per year.

Program Director

Maria Karakousoglou, B.D.S., M.S.
Orthodontic Residency Program Director

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Orthodontics Program

Faculty Residents Orthodontics Program