Sercan Akyalcin
Head of Orthodontics
Member of the Faculty of Developmental Biology
Mastering Modern Orthodontics: Diagnosis, Biomechanics, and Contemporary Practice for the SORTCH Cohort
Date and Time
April 26 - April 29, 2027
All day
Program overview
This exclusive educational program has been developed for participating members of the Sociedad de Ortodoncia de Chile (SORTCH) cohort and is not open for public registration.
Mastering Modern Orthodontics: Diagnosis, Biomechanics, and Contemporary Practice is an immersive, four-day, in-person program held at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, featuring two half-day sessions and two full days of advanced orthodontic education. Designed to elevate diagnostic precision, refine biomechanical control, and enhance treatment planning for both routine and complex orthodontic cases, the program provides participants with practical, evidence-based strategies that can be applied immediately in clinical practice.
Built around an “end-in-mind” philosophy, the program demonstrates how clearly defined treatment objectives can be translated into efficient, targeted, and predictable tooth movement across a wide range of malocclusions.
Grounded in a comprehensive diagnostic framework, participants will explore contemporary biomechanics, advanced anchorage strategies, and the latest technologies shaping modern orthodontic care. Through a blend of focused lectures, case-based discussions, and practical decision-making models, clinicians will gain the tools needed to confidently manage interdisciplinary cases, asymmetries, early intervention, and Class II and Class III treatments in both growing patients and adults.
Participants will leave with clinically applicable strategies to improve treatment efficiency, predictability, and long-term stability in everyday practice.
Who should participate?
This program is intended for participating members of the SORTCH cohort and is suitable for clinicians at various stages of their orthodontic careers, including:
- Orthodontists seeking to refine clinical decision-making and biomechanics
- General dentists providing orthodontic treatment
- International clinicians seeking a structured orthodontic review
- Early-career orthodontists looking to strengthen foundational principles
- Experienced clinicians interested in contemporary orthodontic advances
| Dates | Schedule | Program format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
April 26–29, 2026 | In-person | 20 CE credit hours |
Learning outcomes
Participants learn how to:
- Apply an "end-in-mind" diagnostic workflow to define treatment objectives and develop evidence-informed treatment plans for complex malocclusions.
- Implement advanced biomechanics, including expansion techniques and temporary anchorage devices (TADs), to enhance treatment control.
- Manage Class II and Class III cases in growing patients and adults with predictable outcomes.
- Integrate AI-assisted planning and customized appliances to optimize treatment efficiency and stability.
- Improve overall clinical outcomes, predictability, and treatment efficiency.
Program curriculum
Program schedule, session topics, and faculty are subject to change. While every effort will be made to deliver the program as described, adjustments may be necessary to ensure the highest quality educational experience.
Instructor
Dr. Sercan Akyalcin
Topics covered:
- Beginning Orthodontic Treatment with the “End-in-Mind” Approach
- Targeted Tooth Movement Through Visualized Treatment Objectives
- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Modern Orthodontics
- The Role of Expansion and Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) in Managing Malocclusions
- Artificial Intelligence and Customized Appliances in Contemporary Orthodontics
Session overview
Modern orthodontic treatment begins with a clear vision of the desired outcome. This session explores an “end-in-mind” approach to diagnosis and treatment planning, using visualized treatment objectives to guide precise, targeted tooth movement. Participants will learn how structured diagnostic protocols, clearly defined treatment goals, expansion strategies, and temporary anchorage devices (TADs) can improve predictability and enhance clinical outcomes in complex malocclusions.
The session will also examine the growing role of artificial intelligence and customized appliances in contemporary orthodontic care, highlighting how these technologies can support more efficient and individualized treatment planning. Attendees will gain practical strategies for managing Class II and Class III malocclusions, including bite-opening and bite-closing mechanics, vertical control, and other key biomechanical considerations.
Tour of Harvard School of Dental Medicine's campus and personal time
Instructor
Dr. Don Nelson
Topics covered
- Early Treatment: Intervention in Skeletal Malocclusions
- Principles of Growth Modification
- Managing Complex Orthodontic–Periodontal Cases
- Evaluation and Management of TMD in Orthodontic Care
Session overview
Early orthodontic intervention can help guide facial growth, intercept developing skeletal malocclusions, reduce treatment complexity, and improve long-term stability. This session explores the role of growth modification and early treatment strategies in managing skeletal discrepancies and, in some cases, reducing the need for future surgical intervention.
Participants will also examine the interdisciplinary management of complex orthodontic-periodontal cases and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) presentations. Through evidence-informed treatment planning and coordinated care approaches, clinicians will gain practical strategies to support optimal function, periodontal health, and lasting treatment outcomes.
Instructor
Dr. Sercan Akyalcin
Topics covered
- Growth Modification in Class II Malocclusions
- Distalization Techniques vs. Extraction Decisions
- Skeletal Class II: Deep Bite and Open Bite Correction
- Surgical Correction and Clinical Pearls in Class II Treatment
Session overview
This session provides a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of Class II malocclusions across a range of clinical presentations. Participants will explore growth modification strategies, evaluate distalization and extraction approaches, and review treatment considerations for managing deep bite and open bite skeletal Class II cases.
Through discussion of biomechanics, anchorage management, and vertical control, attendees will develop a structured framework for treatment planning and decision-making. The session will also examine surgical correction pathways and share practical clinical pearls designed to improve efficiency, predictability, and long-term treatment outcomes.
Instructor
Dr. Andre Weissheimer
Topics covered
- Minimally Visible Orthodontic Systems
- Clinical Applications of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)
- Artificial Intelligence in Complex Case Planning
Session overview
This session explores the integration of esthetic orthodontic systems with advanced biomechanical approaches to achieve precise and predictable treatment outcomes. Participants will examine the clinical applications of minimally visible orthodontic solutions and gain practical insights into the use of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) for enhanced treatment control.
The session will also highlight the emerging role of artificial intelligence in complex case planning, demonstrating how AI-driven tools can support diagnosis, treatment customization, and clinical decision-making. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how these technologies can improve efficiency, precision, and patient care in contemporary orthodontic practice.
Meet the faculty
Donald B Nelson
Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology
Andre Weissheimer
Clinic Director of Orthodontics
Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology
Program information
This program is offered exclusively to participating members of the SORTCH cohort. For questions regarding participation, program logistics, or cohort communications, contact SORTCH directly.