Free Webinars

This 1-hour webinar on myofunctional therapy patient assessments introduces the importance of evaluating orofacial myofunctional disorders and their impact on breathing, speech, and orthodontic outcomes. It begins with key foundations and moves into gathering a thorough patient history, including sleep, breathing patterns, and oral habits. The session then covers core clinical assessment components such as extraoral and intraoral exams, tongue function, swallowing, and resting posture, along with optional use of standardized tools.

Participants will learn how to interpret findings, identify when therapy is appropriate, and recognize when referrals to other professionals are needed. A brief case example helps connect concepts to practice, followed by key takeaways and a short Q&A.

Straightwire appliances and clear aligners are both powerful orthodontic tools, but they serve different purposes. Clear aligners are highly effective for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and certain bite corrections. However, there are situations where straightwire appliances, or traditional fixed braces, are necessary to achieve precise tooth movement and full control of root positioning.

Complex rotations, significant vertical discrepancies, severe crowding, impacted teeth, and major bite corrections often require the three-dimensional control that straightwire systems provide. In some cases, a hybrid approach is used, starting with braces to establish control and finishing with aligners for detailing and aesthetics.

Understanding when straightwire is needed ensures efficient treatment, better outcomes, and long-term stability rather than prolonging care with a system that may not provide enough biomechanical control.

This webinar explores the relationship between orthodontics, airway health, malocclusions, TM dysfunction, and sleep-disordered breathing in children. With studies showing that nearly 70% of children have some form of malocclusion, early recognition and treatment are critical. General dentists are often the first providers to identify these problems, yet many receive limited training in airway-focused orthodontic care.

Participants will learn how constricted dental arches and improper jaw development can negatively affect breathing, sleep quality, facial growth, and overall health. Common findings such as crossbites, open bites, deep overbites, crowding, and retrognathic mandibles will be reviewed, along with their potential association with mouth breathing, ADHD-like symptoms, and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

The webinar will discuss how early orthodontic treatment with fixed or removable appliances can help expand constricted arches, improve nasal airway volume, and create room for permanent teeth without extractions. Functional jaw repositioning appliances that encourage forward mandibular development will also be presented as a conservative treatment option for children with retrognathic mandibles.

In contrast, the long-term implications of delayed treatment and extraction-based orthodontics will be examined, including concerns related to reduced arch space, airway restriction, and TM dysfunction in susceptible patients. Emphasis will be placed on treating malocclusions early to support healthier facial development, improved function, and greater long-term stability.

Clinical case presentations will demonstrate how an airway-focused orthodontic approach can produce stable, functional, and non-extraction outcomes that benefit both oral health and overall well-being.

This approach combines the efficiency of straight wire appliances with strategies that harness a patient’s natural growth potential. Instead of just aligning teeth, the goal is to guide jaw development and improve facial balance—especially during peak growth years.

By relieving occlusal interferences (often with bite turbos) and using light, continuous forces, we unlock forward and vertical growth. This minimizes the need for extractions or surgery and supports better long-term function, aesthetics, and airway health.

It’s orthodontics that works with growth, not against it.

Join us for an in-depth look at two cutting-edge appliances that support early orthodontic treatment by addressing function, growth, and habit correction—without the need for invasive methods.

Froggy Mouth Appliance

A myofunctional trainer worn for just 15 minutes a day, used to:

• Correct mouth breathing and encourage nasal respiration
• Eliminate harmful oral habits like tongue thrust and open-mouth posture
• Improve lip seal and facial muscle tone
• Support long-term stability by addressing root causes of malocclusion

Together, these appliances offer a powerful, non-invasive strategy for early intervention, guiding patients toward healthier development and more stable outcomes.

AMCOP Bioactivator

A functional, removable appliance designed to:

• Stimulate natural jaw and facial growth during key developmental stages
• Improve dental alignment and skeletal relationships
• Promote correct tongue posture and muscle balance
• Enhance breathing patterns and reduce the risk of future orthodontic complications

This webinar will focus on mastering 1st order bends in case finishing—an essential skill for ensuring precision, fit, and function in orthodontic appliance setup.

Breaking down the process step-by-step, covering how to identify when a 1st order bend is necessary, techniques for making consistent in-out adjustments, up-down adjustments, rotations, and tip bends, and how to avoid common errors like overcorrection or wire fatigue. You’ll see live demonstrations using .020 SS wires. Participants are encouraged to have bird beak pliers on hand as well as a few .020 archwires to participate. Dr. Lowry will do his best to guide participants in making the correct bends.

Practical tricks for working around brackets, checking symmetry, and making quick chairside tweaks will help get your case finishing skills honed. Whether you’re just starting out or want to sharpen your skills, this session will give you clear, real-world guidance you can apply right away.

A practical overview of functional oral appliances and their role in modern orthodontics understanding what functional appliances are, how they work, when to use them, and how to integrate them effectively into clinical practice and explaining how they differ from traditional braces, and common misconceptions that often lead to underuse or misuse.

The clinical applications will discuss the most common indications, such as Class II malocclusions, mandibular advancement, and interceptive treatment in growing patients and highlight ideal patient profiles, compliance considerations, and criteria for selecting the right cases. Participants will get a concise overview of key appliance types, including the Twin Block, Sagittal, Schwarz, fixed expanders and the new AMCOP with insights into how each functions and when it’s most appropriate.

Implementation strategies for educating patients and parents, managing compliance and best practices for monitoring and adjusting appliances.

This webinar is designed to give dental professionals a fast, practical framework for choosing the right patients for clear aligner treatment.

Core Case Selection Principles—focusing on patient compliance, oral health status, and the types of malocclusions that respond best to aligners, such as mild crowding, spacing, and Class I cases. It also highlights when not to treat with aligners, like in cases with skeletal discrepancies or complex tooth movements.

Diagnostics and Workflow. Attendees will learn what records to gather (e.g., intraoral photos, scans, bite analysis), and how to align patient expectations with clinical realities.

Real-world Case Examples will demonstrate what to look for and how the case progressed to final finish.

How we treat malocclusion in children during the mixed dentition phase (when both baby and adult teeth are present) affects more than just their bite. It can shape their self-esteem and long-term health. Estimates suggest that up to 70% of children have some form of malocclusion, making early intervention critical.

There are two main treatment paths: extract bicuspids to create space or develop the dental arches using functional appliances. Most parents and children prefer the second option—no extractions, broader arches, and a natural, full smile.

Crooked teeth can make children self-conscious. They may avoid smiling, which not only affects their confidence but also how others perceive them. A child who doesn’t smile may be seen as unfriendly, which can have lasting social consequences.

Take, for example, a child with prominent “buck teeth.” These children are often teased and may become withdrawn. A common treatment involves using a jaw-repositioning appliance, such as a Twin Block, to guide the lower jaw forward and correct the imbalance.

Early, thoughtful orthodontic care isn’t just cosmetic—it’s a crucial investment in a child’s emotional and physical well-being.