10th Biennial National Orthodontic Congress

By Dr. Janet Mapa - Pandan

Another milestone achieved by the Association of Philippine Orthodontists (APO), the Philippines’ only recognized specialty society for Orthodontics by no less than the Philippine Board of Dentistry. For its 10th Biennial National Orthodontic Congress held last August 1-2, 2016 at SMX Aura, Taguig City, APO presented the very timely and constantly significant topic of managing difficult cases, with its theme: Mind the Gap: Simple Biomechanics for Difficult Orthodontic Cases. This theme is specially significant to all practicing Orthodontists because we always encounter cases that turn out to be more difficult than what we have anticipated.

The event was graced by the presence of two world-renown speakers: Dr. Joseph Varghese from India and Prof. Young Guk Park from Korea.
Dr. Joseph Varghese earned his MS degree from the Ohio State University, USA in 1988. He is a Diplomate of both the Indian Board of Orthodontics and American Board of Orthodontics. His practice is limited to Orthodontics for the past 26 years.
Dr. Varghese presented the audience with varied and interesting cases he had done over the years. He divided his treatment approach with the following topics:

• Simple Biomechanics for Extraction Treatment
• Finish at the Start: Goal Oriented Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Treatment of Complex Problems
• Keeping your Results Stable for the Long Term

In dealing with difficult cases, Dr. Varghese showed patients wherein the usefulness and universal acceptance of the temporary anchorage devices or TADs were emphasized as tools in achieving efficient tooth movement specially in complex cases.
The second speaker, Dr. Young Guk Park, is not only a renowned lecturer, but also a researcher and author. He is currently a professor and chair in the Orthodontic department of Kyung Hee University. He received his Master of Science in Orthodontics diploma in 1984 and PhD in Oral Biology in 1990. Dr. Park has an MBA in Healthcare Administration.

Dr. Park started his lecture by giving the audience an extensive overview of what is essential in the practice of Orthodontics – that which is the perception of Beauty. He believes that achieving values close to the Golden Proportion measurements result in an excellent finish. In his lecture, he provided the ideal normal values in the Soft Tissue Frontal and Sagittal planes. His knowledge and skill in Orthodontics were evident in the different cases he presented:

• Orthodontic treatment of Open bite
• Orthodontic treatment of Occlusal Plane canting
• Class II treatment with Forsus Device

The lectures given by the two esteemed speakers both find common ground in the shared and conscious knowledge that good Orthodontic practice starts with correct diagnosis, timely rendering of the necessary treatment, the right choice of Orthodontic appliance and mechanics, and keen esthetic sense apt for the patient.

The participants of the conference were enriched and inspired by the lectures given by the speakers who generously shared their expertise and novel techniques in the management of challenging cases.

But it was not only added knowledge that the participants gained in the conference, some lucky winners in the raffle brought home Orthodontic materials the sponsors generously provided.

Kudos to the organizers for the success of this Congress, headed by its Chairperson , Dr. Martin V. Reyes, APO President Elect 2015- 2016.

See you all again in the next Congress!

Photo Gallery by Dr. Santy Mulles