Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is a specialty of dentistry which
focuses on the study of growth and development of the jaws, teeth and face as a
whole. It deals with the prevention and correction of abnormalities in the position of
teeth and jaws. The aim of this specialty is to effectively create a balanced and
pleasing appearance of the face and smile particularly, while maintaining or
improving other functions such as speech and mastication.
The Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics was established
in the year 2001 and the post graduate (MDS) program was Commenced in 2008
and students enroll for the masters program every year. Both the undergraduate and
postgraduate training programs in Orthodontics are recognised by the Dental Council
of India.
Serving as an academic cum research center and a treatment hub, the
department offers all orthodontic treatments with a contemporary approach.
Multidisciplinary treatments are offered to patients who have Cleft lip and Palate,
syndromes and other complex abnormalities. Treatments are offered right from
infancy through childhood and well into adulthood. Interdisciplinary approach is used
for cases requiring Orthodontics as an adjunctive procedure. Similarly, adjunctive
procedures of other specialties are carried out in an orthodontic case depending on
the need and requirement.
Patients reporting to the department are in the best hands as each case is
handled with equal care and utmost importance is given to accurate assessment and
diagnosis. A comprehensive treatment plan is devised by the doctor treating the
case under the guidance of a team of experienced orthodontists. Every patient’s
treatment progress is directly monitored by senior faculty, thereby ensuring best
results.
The department is well equipped with modern dental chairs and
armamentarium, a clinical laboratory and all required instruments and materials.
Apart from the regular aids required for orthodontic practice, the department is also
equipped with modern tools like digital photography equipment and orthodontic
software for diagnosis and treatment planning. A staunch protocol of sterilization is
followed to meet good clinical standards.
Orthodontics is introduced in the 3rd year of BDS and continues into the 4th
year and internship. As a part of the undergraduate program, students are taught to
recognise and diagnose an orthodontic case. They also fabricate removable
appliances in parts and as a whole.
The postgraduate curriculum is an extensive training program spread over 3
years. It includes detailed learning and practice of various diagnostic and treatment
modalities, first as pre-clinical exercises in the laboratory followed by clinical training
on patients. Intensive study of the vast subject of Orthodontics is carried out through
weekly seminars, journal discussions, and assessments. Research work in the field
is carried out by every postgraduate student in the form of short and major studies.
The topics of research are chosen in such a way as to be in line with international
research and emphasis is placed on their clinical relevance. Master’s degree is
attained only after submission of dissertation along with the examinations conducted
by the university.
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in GITAM Dental
College and Hospital is committed to providing the best patient care in Orthodontics
with a contemporary yet success proven approach and to propagate a teaching
program which carves the best orthodontists who work with an evidence based
approach.
Specific competencies
- Understand about normal growth and development of facial skeleton and dentition.
- Pinpoint observations in growth process of both dental and skeletal and plan necessary treatment.
- Diagnose the various malocclusion categories.
- Able to motivate and explain to the patient (and parent) about the necessity of treatment.
- Plan and execute preventive orthodontics (space maintenances or space regaines).
- Plan and execute interceptive orthodontics (habit breaking appliances).
- Manage treatment of simple malocclusion such as anterior spacing using removable appliances.
- Handle delivery and activation of removable orthodontic appliances.
- Diagnose and appropriately refer patients with complex malocclusion to the specialist.
N. Satish Varma
Professor
Som Sudheer Boddeti
Senior lecturer
Eedala Abishek
Senior lecturer
Services offered
A plethora of treatment modalities constitute Orthodontics such as removable
appliances, fixed mechanics, functional jaw orthopedics, orthopedic appliances,
surgical orthodontics, invisible orthodontics with aligners, lingual orthodontics,
esthetic appliances, temporary anchorage devices etc. A qualified orthodontist is
trained through an MDS course of 3 years, post BDS to carry out the above
mentioned treatments.
Details of the various treatment procedures offered are as follows:
- Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed and removable appliances
- Early Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment - Problems
pertaining to the jaw bones and sometimes teeth are addressed through jaw
orthopedic appliances in young growing children.
- Esthetic Appliances - Treatment with Ceramic brackets for an esthetically
pleasing appearance during orthodontic treatment.
- Treatment of Temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Surgical Orthodontic Treatment - treatment of severe jaw disproportionalities
involves a combination of orthodontic and surgical treatment.
- Adult Orthodontics - Orthodontic treatment for adults while addressing their
periodontal, endodontic and other concerns.
- Interdisciplinary Orthodontics
- Comprehensive treatment of patients with Cleft Lip and Palate ranging from
Nasoalveolar Moulding and Arch Expansion, Orthopedic correction to
complete alignment and finishing of dentition and occlusion.
List of ongoing research projects
- Perioral soft tissue evaluation in class III patients: A lateral cephalogram study.
- Quantitative analysis of enamel on debonded metal brackets bonded to
fluorosed teeth by bond enhancers.
- Comparison of shear bond strength of newer adhesives and assessment of
their remnants using adhesive remnant index(ARI) system: An In vitro study.
- Comparison of changes in dimension and orientation of fibres in masseter and
temporalis muscles following functional appliance therapy- An MRI study.
- Comparison of amount of streptococcus mutans biofilm around ceramic
brackets using newer adhesives: An Ex-vivo study.
- Cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles embedded orthodontic adhesive on
fibroblasts of human periodontal ligament : An In vitro study.
- Leaching of bis-phenol A using different adhesives from extracted premolars
by High performance liquid chromatography-An In vitro study.
- Bond strength of stainless steel orthodontic brackets bonded to prefabricated
acrylic teeth.
- Assessment of salivary levels of cariogenic bacteria in patients with ceramic
self ligating and conventional ceramic brackets: An In vivo study
- Stress distribution around dentition and buccal shelf screw(SS) used for
en-masse retraction of mandibular dentition- A finite element study.
- A comparative evaluation of salivary streptococcus mutans levels and oral
hygiene status in patients wearing combination of fixed and removable
retainers with and without addition of silver nanoparticles:A randomised
controlled trial.
- A comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity and tensile bond strength of
orthodontic adhesives incorporated with bioactive glass and octenidine
dihydrochloride antimicrobial agents: An In-vitro study.
- A Comparative evaluation of caries risk profile in adult orthodontic patients
following different fluoride regimens using cariogram: A Randomised control
trial.
- Evaluation of length,width and thickness of temporalis and masseter muscles
in patients with bilateral posterior crossbite before and after rapid palatal
expansion: An Ultrasonography study.
- A comparative evaluation of effects of spring loaded bite block and active
vertical corrector with repelling magnets on the dentofacial complex. A clinical
study.